Guys, I have been using the conventional motor toter on my Ranger/ Evinrude and would love to have a lock and stow for it (looks like a fat chance). Question, will the factory flip down motor carrier on the engine serve basically the same purpost as the lock and stow. I want what is best for the engine and boat (less stress). I have heard some say motor toter and others say no motor toter. WHICH ONE do i need to use. Help please. Thanks !!
"Never argue with an idiot; He will beat you to death with stupidity"
The transom saver/motor toter takes the weight off the mounts and transom. The trailering bracket lets the weight of the motor constantly pull and bounce on the transom. Use a motor totor, Your boat will thank you. When using a motor totor, run the engine down only enough to load it on the bracket, excessive pulling down of the motor will slowly damage the motor mounts. Then you go to the shop and pull out the wallet.
Steven, this is one of those...ask ten people get ten different answers questions.
I suggest you use the factory flip down bracket.
The next time you see a boat being towed with a Evinrude motor and a transom saver watch the motor, then compare that with a motor being towed on the factory bracket, form your own opinion.
Yeah , I know. But i've always had good luck wth the transom saver. Especially when you add a jack plate. Most people pull the trim down so hard on the transom saver , it kills the mounts. I just pull it down enough to support it. Of course, newer boats have better transoms in them than even a few years ago. At least we give a bracket, the competition gives a full tilt bracket and tells you to use a transom saver.
When the boat is in the garage should I leave the transom Saver on or take it off and bring the engine down?
I have never replaced a motor mount because of using or not using a transom saver, come to think of it, the only motor mounts I have replaced in 27 years have been from an impact strong enough to remove the motor from the back of the boat.....I just replaced the whole motor, not the mounts.
I love having that flip down bracket on the Etec! No more worrying about putting the transom saver in the car, misplacing the pin that holds it to the trailer, blah blah blah....Now all I have to do is trim up, flip the bracket up, take off the straps and drop her in! Afterwards, strap it down, trim up, flip the bracket down, and trim her down a touch. Hit the road to rock and roll.
Zippers, tilt the engine down when storing the unit.
Rusty , I get to do more motor mount due to the saltwater aspect of the area. Seen a few of those motor replcacement jobs though.. The floating trees on the Trinity river will get them every time!!!
Have run E-Rude, John mtrs for years and used the factory bracket with no problems.
Here's my .02:
I recommend using the motor-toter when traveling long distances or over rough roads. I have replaced several transoms on aluminum boats because the owner refused to use a motor-toter. Sooner or later, the transom just "bowed out" due to the combined stress of the bouncing and weight of the engine. I've never seen this problem on a glass boat, but all we sold were tin boats...
Personally, I generally use the fold down bracket for local trips and known good roads and the motor-toter for my trips North or East (NY Thruway is one of the worst...).
Do what makes the best sense to you.
-John
Maybe a dumb Question but... Will my e-tec 115 taht I am patiently waiting for have the flip down bracket. Or should I start looking for a transom saver ? Installing on a 18 foot aluminum.
ETEC115- LOWE FS185
MODEL # E115DPLSU
SERIAL# 05156552
1. Yes it does.
2. Its up to you, see my previous post...
-John
What if you use both? I'd heard both sides to it and just couldn't make up my mind, so the motor toter is cut that it and the flip down bracket are braced. Does this give me twice the protection?
Steven Shamblin
2003 Triton TR-22 / Evinrude 225H/O
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