HERE'S A TRAILERING QUESTION

[mav186]

Here’s a question for you…when trailering your boat, do some of you put either your main or kicker (or both) in gear to prevent the propeller(s) from spinning in the air stream while driving? I personally do not, nor have I ever w/ any boat I’ve owned. Have any of you ever heard this may NOT be good for the lower unit? I don’t see how it could be a ‘bad’ thing if the propeller spins in the wind, but I wanted to know what your thoughts were. All feedback is welcome. :geek:

[Amx]

I don't put it in gear. Someone said it could put more wear in the bearings in the lower unit if the prop spins in the wind.

[Anonymous]

Here is a suggestion. Your boat is a very big investment. You should ask a pro for advise. they would know better than most what is good or bad for your motor. Only takes a phone call and I am sure they will be happy to answer the question.

[Bodofish]

Seems kida silly to me........ Boat motor runs and spins at thousands of rpm with load. Boat motor drags through while trolling, all day sometimes. Boat motor drags through the air while on the trailer, prop spinning very slowly in the wind........... Hummmmmmm worry? I think not. I've never seen advice in any operating manual saying to leave it in gear. I would think bouncing on the trailer would cause more stress on all engine parts if it were left in gear.

[davidwat1]

hmmm, I guess I never gave it much thought as to exactly why, but I always try to put mine in gear when I'm trailering it. something about the prop spinning freely without the resistance of water, that just made me cautious I guess....could be completely unfounded.

On a different note...here is a little tip for people who do a lot of carolina rigging or slow dragging from the bow of the boat. Putting your motor in gear will prevent your prop from grabbing your line when it happens to slide under the back of the boat on a turn. That little bit of turning it does if you leave it out of gear, will result in about 50 wraps around the prop, the lower unit, and most dangerously your seals, not to mention tons of enjoyment as you try to figure out how to dislodge all that line while balancing on the stern and your outboard in the middle of the lake! uh...not that I've done it myself or anything, I've just "heard" that could happen...yeah that's it. Not related to trailering I know, so sorry for the sidetrack.

[G-Man]

I'd rather prefer my prop to be free spinning while trailering just in case it encounters some immovable object.

Great tip David, I'll try and remember that the next time I'm out on the lake.

[hewesfisher]

Never bother with that on either of my motors for the reasons stated, but my kicker is almost always in gear while trailering because it has to be in gear to raise/lower and I don't bother taking it out of gear when I drop it down to trailer. The only recommendation I got from the dealer was to use a bungee on the kicker to the trailer to help control any bounce. I did that for awhile until I misplaced the bungee strap, now I just use the tilt lock feature and that really limits movement.

As for running the bow mount, I normally pull the main out of the water because I have been known to get really close to big rocks that clear the bow mount but not the main.

[spindog]

I own a 50 hp Mercury, when I bought it "new" from an authorized dealership, I was told either way-
You can leave it in neutral and let it spin or you can leave it in gear and prevent it from spinning, in either case it will not "harm" your motor-Personally I prefer it in gear. It comes down to preference.

I feel there may be "additional" wear on the prop shaft bearing from all that additional spinning going on back there-free air spin
[my motor gets enough wear and tear- abuse!] But like I said it comes down to preference -will not harm your motor either way.

[racfish]

Will a motor start while the in gear trailering? Most large motors need battery or they are on ignition start,but some motors start just on a spinning prop. Will that happen while driving? My kicker when down in the water sometimes start that way when my big motor is running.

[Rich McVey]

Personally I dont think the air pressure on the prop has enough force to turn over the motor. I cant turn my prop when in gear, I wouldnt think the air could.

Thats interesting that your little motor does that with the water pressure on the prop.

[hewesfisher]

Will a motor start while the in gear trailering? Most large motors need battery or they are on ignition start,but some motors start just on a spinning prop. Will that happen while driving? My kicker when down in the water sometimes start that way when my big motor is running.

Do you mean under way with the big motor and the kicker in as well? If so, my dealer told me that's a big no-no and could take out the lower unit on the kicker. If you mean while trolling with the big motor, well, I'm pretty surprised there's enough force to cause the kicker to actually crank over.

[FishingFool]

My Mercury 15Hp manual states to put it in gear while trailing. So I do.

Also, when it's in gear, the motor can be lifted up, otherwise in neutral, it's locked down.


I think with the motor being in gear, and able to "bounce up" slightly, it doesnt damage whatever is forcing the motor to lock down using neutral.

PS, I use bungy cords and hook them to the rear of my trailer to try and keep the bouncing to a minimum.

[mav186]

Thanks to all for your thoughts and discussions...this is why I like to throw things like this out there sometimes. Sure it would be easy to contact my dealer, which I planned to do anyway, and never post the question...but then I would miss out on some interesting ideas or thoughts from my fellow members. To me that's what this forum is about, if all of us wanted to go directly to a 'professional' then who would ever ask a question on here? (no matter how 'silly' it may appear). We've had at least one member who states this specific topic is addressed in his manual, another member who brought up a great side issue (reminder) that can occur while using the bow mount and the main propeller is left free to spin...yes my line got sucked into it like a black hole! (twice) And another member who brought up the idea that this situation may have an effect on the thrust bearings if a prop spins without providing actual load to the bearing assembly...this was kind of where I was going with this topic. And another one who's motor starts by itself!?! As usual...great feedback and I'll post what my dealer recommends later...basspro, or anyone else who has dealer recommendations, please feel free to post up as well! [lol]

[sickbayer]

My T8 stays down and in netural when trailering. Your prop is supposed to spin in netural wether it be wind or water what would be the point in having netural.

[Bodofish]

If a little wind and no load is going to hurt your outboard, better get a new one cause it sure isn't going to last with power and water........

PS My jet pump is always in gear and I've never given it a second thought.... =) BTW what is that spinny thing on the back of some boats.......... What does it do???????

[mav186]

Just to follow-up...I spoke to Dan at my dealer today and through this question in with a few others. His feedback was that, as far as the T-8's were concerned, it will not harm anything whether in or out of gear while trailering.
BUT...as Dave made a good point earlier, so did Dan. As a friendly reminder along these lines...he stated to be sure and tilt the kicker up before blasting off to your next spot, as it could blow your power head by inadvertently over reving the little bugger (I threw that last part in!) before realizing what you just forgot to do. It's the simple things!