When trailering would it be best to tie the outdrive up

[Joshua Nichols]

Well this maybe a silly question.. I just picked me up a new tub or at least new to me, its a 87... It's my first i/o so I am a bit unsure.
Is it best to tie the outdrive up when trailering? Seems like it would be.. All that bouncing around seems it would be tough on the rams that run the trim tilt and maybe the transom...
Any thoughts or info would be appreciated....

 

[jgoeden]

Re: When trailering would it be best to tie the outdrive up

I'm a pretty new boat owner too and I don't do that. Haven't heard of anybody who does tie it up, those actuators are made for holding heavy weights. But then again it wouldn't "hurt" anything, just take extra time.

 

[Bondo]

Re: When trailering would it be best to tie the outdrive up

Ayuh,.... As long as the trim system is in Good shape,...
Trailering is the least abusive job it does...

 

[JimS123]

Re: When trailering would it be best to tie the outdrive up

They make an I/O trailering clip, which is nothing more than a plastic shim that attaches to the trim cylinders. My Merc owners manual recommended it be used. Pretty cheep and only 2 seconds to take on or off, so why take the chance. My buddy had a trim fluid leak on the highway and the lower unit came down and scraped on the road. The repair cost more than the plastic clip.

 

[xeddog]

Re: When trailering would it be best to tie the outdrive up

While I don't TIE mine up, I do brace it up. I'm not sure if these plastic supports help with the bouncing motions, but if my hydraulics should fail the drive won't be coming down.

Wayne

 

[Bifflefan]

Re: When trailering would it be best to tie the outdrive up

I use the above style clips (as above) also. For a merc tho. They work well, and when I lost all the electric power once and had to manually rasie the drive they served as a way to keep the drive up while I got it home.
I guess they are more for piece of mind.

 

[jtmarten]

Re: When trailering would it be best to tie the outdrive up

I use trailering clips on both drives, even though I could trailer it with both drives down and still have 6-8" clearance.
About the only time the clips aren't on when she's on the trailer is over winter, drives are down so they're about parallel with the transom.

 

[Joshua Nichols]

Re: When trailering would it be best to tie the outdrive up

Yeah I think the peace of mind feels better.. I will try and hunt down some clips to use as well

 

[gozierdt]

Re: When trailering would it be best to tie the outdrive up

I'm a "belt and suspenders" type of personality when it comes to my equipment. I use the trailering clips, PLUS I use a ratchet strap from the lower leg up to my ski tow hook. I also put a bungee around the clips to be sure they don't fly out if I hit any large bumps. Now, I guess I could get a "transom saver" as well, but ya gotta stop somewhere...