How to properly prepare an outboard for trailering

capslock118

capslock118

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Apr 27, 2009
Messages
249
I have a 135hp 1990 v6 outboard on my boat.

So far I only have to trailer the boat less than two miles and so far i've been trailering it fully tilted up. I know this isnt good, but I can't trailer in the vertical position because I live in a very hilly area.

That said I am trying to google search what I need to trailer my engine properly. I don't think I am searching correctly because I am not getting good results.

What is the proper method to trailer a engine? Do I tilt the engine up, put bolts in the holes in the transom then tilt the engine down so it sits on the bolts? i.e. this?

How does one protect against bouncing? I've seen this transom support used before...is this what i should do?

is it a multi-part / step process?

I have not found a solid guide to this yet...

thanks for your input.
 
R

raven7

Petty Officer 3rd Class
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Aug 20, 2009
Messages
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Re: How to properly prepare an outboard for trailering

The large U shaped part goes over the roller on the back of your trailer. The rubber V part goes against the lower front part of your outboard. You lower your engine until its snug against the support. That way the weight of your engine is transferred to the trailer and not the transom when hitting bumps, etc.
 
lncoop

lncoop

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Apr 18, 2010
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5,147
Re: How to properly prepare an outboard for trailering

Yep, you need a transom saver. You can find them at any marine store, Academy Sports, Dicks, etc. Install it as previously noted. It will come with a tiedown and a couple of holes on either side to hook it into. Just hook it into one hole, stretch it over the foot, then hook it into the other hole. Get one today and put it on BEFORE you tow your rig another mile:eek:. It's a $40 investment that will save you 100x that amount in repairs. Not trying to be condescending, but it's critical that you get one of these and use it before you tow your rig again.
 
capslock118

capslock118

Petty Officer 1st Class
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Messages
249
Re: How to properly prepare an outboard for trailering

The large U shaped part goes over the roller on the back of your trailer.
Click to expand...

I'll have to check then when I get home today but from my memory, the trailer does not have a roller in the rear center of the trailer end.

I'll take a picture when I get home and post it here.

Not trying to be condescending, but it's critical that you get one of these and use it before you tow your rig again.
Click to expand...

You're not, I know very well I have to get one. I have to send the boat in at 8:30 in the am to the shop tomorrow so I wont have time to get this part before then, but I'll have it before taking it home later that day.
 
H

H20Rat

Vice Admiral
Joined
Mar 8, 2009
Messages
5,204
Re: How to properly prepare an outboard for trailering

lncoop said:
Yep, you need a transom saver. You can find them at any marine store, Academy Sports, Dicks, etc. Install it as previously noted. It will come with a tiedown and a couple of holes on either side to hook it into. Just hook it into one hole, stretch it over the foot, then hook it into the other hole. Get one today and put it on BEFORE you tow your rig another mile:eek:. It's a $40 investment that will save you 100x that amount in repairs. Not trying to be condescending, but it's critical that you get one of these and use it before you tow your rig again.
Click to expand...

Far from critical... Most boats/engines don't need transom savers. If there is a lock on your tilt mechanism, its worthless. (its not 'saving' your transom, the stresses from boating are vastly higher than any bump in the road!)

Some tilt locks are a little lever that you flip and then drop the motor down a little, some are a special shaped bar that you put in that is held in by clips.
 
capslock118

capslock118

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Apr 27, 2009
Messages
249
Re: How to properly prepare an outboard for trailering

To address this:

The large U shaped part goes over the roller on the back of your trailer.
Click to expand...

Here is a link to photos of my transom and trailer

Tell me what you mean by the U shaped part that goes over the roller...I don't see that.

If there is a lock on your tilt mechanism
Click to expand...

I've read about this lock but I do not know how to identify it. How can I tell if I have this? Is there something apparent like a button or a clamp?
 
T

tpcowfish

Petty Officer 3rd Class
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Dec 31, 2009
Messages
99
Re: How to properly prepare an outboard for trailering

They also make a transom saver that part mounts to trailer, and support arm twists on, motor side is same
 
vote4me4pres

vote4me4pres

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Jun 6, 2009
Messages
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Re: How to properly prepare an outboard for trailering

I would disargree that they are "worthless." I didn't use mine once after I switched trailers and my transom saver did not fit. When I got home I had to tap most of the nails holding the aluminum transom cap back in because the torque from the bouncing motor had pulled them out.

It was definately more stress than running in the water.
 
C

capt sam

Master Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jan 14, 2009
Messages
878
Re: How to properly prepare an outboard for trailering

I've towed boats for years, from here to the Keys more times than I can count and I have never used a transom saver, I have occasionally used the locks if there's a lot of road construction but I really didn't need to. Most of the bigger multi engined boats here do neither also and have never had an issue, you guys need to ease up with the sky is falling routine.
 
capslock118

capslock118

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Apr 27, 2009
Messages
249
Re: How to properly prepare an outboard for trailering

you guys need to ease up with the sky is falling routine.
Click to expand...

Perhaps so, I am a worrier..

still, I am not sure what a transom lock is...
 
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