Best way to keep outdrive to minimize stress?

[kozman01]

I've searched on how to store your outdrive while not using it and can't find anything specific. All I want to know is how everyone keeps their outdrives while the boat is parked on the trailer. The outdrive is an Alpha drive. I use trailering clips while enroute to the water and I leave them on when I return. Is this ok or is there a correct or better way to keep the outdrive stored so I keep as much of the stress off of the trim system as possible. Thank you as always for your input.

 

[tommays]

Re: Best way to keep outdrive to minimize stress?

your supposed to geep it as down as you can when stored to keep the driveshaft bellows frow setting in the up position <br /><br />which will make it fail easery ,its in the owners manual<br /><br /><br />tommays

 

[kozman01]

Re: Best way to keep outdrive to minimize stress?

Just went through my manual. I must be missing something. So, it's better to keep the drive down as far as possible as opposed to keeping the trailer clips on? I'd like to set the drive down on the cement but everytime I try that, it goes a little to far and the boat is then slightly resting on the skeg. I guess it would be easier to replace trim seals than it would bellows. Thanks

 

[milkyway]

Re: Best way to keep outdrive to minimize stress?

Why opt for changing either the bellows or trim seals? I wouldn't. They are a handful to replace. <br /><br />Get a 2" thick by 10" width and cut it so that both tires (if you have 2 axles) will sit on it. Roll the tires on top of it and it will raise the rear of the trailer, and that will give you more floor clearance. Chop off one end 45 degrees so that the tires will roll on the lumber easily, just like a ramp. Lowering the trailer tongue will also raise the transom. Mine is just 3/4 down all the time. <br /><br />I have not used trailer clips ( howm much are these?) but from what I read this is to provide more support to the outdrive so it does not stress the trim when you are on the road.<br /><br />And if you are also concerned about having the trailer tongue raised to keep the bilge always dry, buy and cut 2 pieces of 10"x10"x2feet of lumber and use these as footing for the tongue. Jack the coupler until you get these 2 pieces at the bottom. myabe you will need only 1 piece. I also place 2 strips of wood on top of the lumber so that the tongue's roller will not turn. Always forward. Always worked for me coz I have mine on the driveway and the slope of the front of driveway has the trailer too low on the tongue.<br /><br />Don't worry too much... An keep those tires well chocked.

 

[QC]

Re: Best way to keep outdrive to minimize stress?

The clips are to keep the drive from dropping if you lose a hydraulic line while trailering. I am not convinced they work as mine start to pop out when I trim the drive down onto them. Maybe my set are crap? Anyway, my boat is stored under a cover so I just use the trailer jack to get the bow down.<br /><br />Also, you don't have to leave it sitting on the skeg You can simply trim down with little bumps until you feel it hit and then bump the trim up once. As compared to jumping on plane etc. I think this stress is minimal.

 

[kozman01]

Re: Best way to keep outdrive to minimize stress?

That'll work. I'll just raise the tires. The best ideas are the simplest. I'm not worried about the bilge. She always inside unless it's being used. My trailer clips were I think 21.99 from Overton's and they cut easy so you can fit them to your specific rams.

 

[jlinder]

Re: Best way to keep outdrive to minimize stress?

Keep in mind that the out drive does not have to be in full down when you store. If you lower it to where the skeg is close to the concrete and find that it is close to full down you may decide that it is not worth the effort to get the last few inches. <br /><br />I suspect whatever you have is a far cry from leaving it full up.<br /><br />On the other hand for long storage I jack up the whole trailer and use blocks take it off the tires. Takes weight off the tires, and I heard somewhere that tires can develop flat spots that lead to premature failure. Not sure if that is true, but it makes me feel good, I can do work on the wheels easily, and I am can get the outdrive all the way down for sure.

 

[QC]

Re: Best way to keep outdrive to minimize stress?

Originally posted by Jack L:<br /> I heard somewhere that tires can develop flat spots that lead to premature failure. Not sure if that is true,

Definitely true.

 

[tommays]

Re: Best way to keep outdrive to minimize stress?

on mine i need 3 boards or 4.5" to get it stright down<br /><br />with nothing i can get it to the trim limit my bellows lasted 9 years like that which is about 4 years longer than you should let it go <br /><br /><br />tommays

 

[jlinder]

Re: Best way to keep outdrive to minimize stress?

I just used cement blocks with wood on top to keep from scratching the frame.<br /><br />Over the winter it was nice to be able to work on the brakes when I wanted without having to jack anything up everytime.

 

[inthesticksnow]

Re: Best way to keep outdrive to minimize stress?

Hi guys,<br /><br />I have poured through my manuals, and can find nothing about lowering the stern drive after pulling the boat from the water. The boat is brand new, 3.0 alpha, maybe 6 weeks or so, and it sits on the trailer during the week trimmed for the trailer in the highest position and I never once gave it any thought.<br /><br />Please elaborate and advise…

 

[milkyway]

Re: Best way to keep outdrive to minimize stress?

Inthestick,<br /><br />My Seloc manual states is, these forum guys say it. The main purpose of lowewing it is to prolong the life of the bellows.

 

[inthesticksnow]

Re: Best way to keep outdrive to minimize stress?

Milkyway,<br /><br />I do hope you didn’t take why I said as being contentious in any way. Since I had been reading and rereading my manuals with the new boat, and since this entire subject is new to me and therefore I am avidly reading and asking questions, I was surprised to read that people dropped their drives… is all. <smile><br /><br />How much longer to you feel the bellows will last by getting into the habit of dropping the drive after the trailer is parked?

 

[CntrySngr]

Re: Best way to keep outdrive to minimize stress?

I don't drop mine during the week (use the boat almost every weekend). Are you talking LONG storage, like over winter, or any length of a few days or more?<br /><br />I do have Trim supports for the "struts" (don't know the terminolgy) that control the trim. They are these hard plastic pieces that snap on to the "struts" to keep the outdrive from "falling" when traveling, and I thought to keep them supported during storage. Sounds like this isn't the correct way to store it?

 

[tommays]

Re: Best way to keep outdrive to minimize stress?

i would say years longer when the drive is up its Stretched like an accordion ready to play<br /><br />when its lowered the bellows is allmost like it comes out of the bag<br /><br /> the rubber gets harder every year i cant believe how much more pliable all my new rubber parts are <br /><br />the old ones were like bricks<br /><br />in my 1995 merc install books supplyed with the boat its in there <br /><br />and the rubber is no longer made in the USA so the quality becomes more of a question<br /><br /><br />tommays

 

[dorelse]

Re: Best way to keep outdrive to minimize stress?

Originally posted by CntrySngr:<br /> I don't drop mine during the week (use the boat almost every weekend). Are you talking LONG storage, like over winter, or any length of a few days or more?<br /><br />I do have Trim supports for the "struts" (don't know the terminolgy) that control the trim. They are these hard plastic pieces that snap on to the "struts" to keep the outdrive from "falling" when traveling, and I thought to keep them supported during storage. Sounds like this isn't the correct way to store it?

At least what I'm reading this to mean is that for transport & short term storage the trim supports are fine. For long term storage, say for over the winter, its better to have the lower unit down so the bellows aren't stretched out through the cold months...am I close?