Tilt support struts

[Triton II]

Apologies if this topic has been answered before... I did a search which didn't come up with anything so here goes.<br /><br />I normally just use the swing over lock on my FT60B to hold the motor in the tilted up position. However, I only live a minute or so from the ramp so it should be fine. We've just been invited to travel about 70km to a friend's riverside ramp and I was wondering if the swing over lock is enough to support the thing over a distance or should I buy some kind of extra strut to hold the motor up in the event of a hydraulic leak? Advice on good brands of strut also appreciated.

 

[Triton II]

Re: Tilt support struts

No news from anyone? I've been through the manual and it recommends the motor be propped when the rig is being towed, however Yamaha Australia don't list a strut to do it...

 

[bigbrownbuku]

Re: Tilt support struts

its very simple to make one. you can either use steel from the trailer to the gearbox or you can use wood between the transom bracket and the trunk. insert your support and trim the engine down. if you are just travelling on bitumen without too much dirt you will be fine for the 40 minutes or so.

 

[badbass]

Re: Tilt support struts

We have a very nice product that I use to support my Suzuki 115 on long trips. You can also just make one yourself. Depending on your trailer you should use round steel of about 50mm diameter and 2-3mm thick, long enough to reach your motor when at half trim and shape a peice of flat steel of about 5mm thick to the shape of your motor just above your cavitation plate and weld this to the round tube, then use a rubber material between motor and strut, I also used a old motorbike coil spring to act as a shock absorber between mount and the trailer. This works like a charm and I have never had problems towing distances.<br /><br />Rudie

 

[Steamboat]

Re: Tilt support struts

I have a Suzuki DT150 and the tilt lock is not strong enough to support the motor as it bounces on the trailer when towing long distances. If you watch closer, you can see them bend slightly when their engaged and you trim the motor down slightly to put pressure on them. I bought a standard "motor toter" or motor support product from West Marine and modified it a little (extend the reach with a 1/2 pipe) to work with my trailer. If you look at the Yamaha motor tilt supports, they are much thicker and heavier than the Suzuki and are intended as the sole support method for the tilted motor when trailering. I believe my manual states to not trailer with just the tilt levers engaged. Any good marine catalog or store will have a product that should work.

 

[flips]

Re: Tilt support struts

Mine is the same as above posts,I have made it so the motor is tilted to one side and rubber mounted around leg.<br />Tie down strap around leg to mount.This way i can<br />tow motor at the height that i want,I looked at the motor on the normal mounts when towing and it bounces to much, and sits way to low for me also not good for transom.

 

[Triton II]

Re: Tilt support struts

Thanks everyone for your input. I must be getting lazy in my old age as I never thought of making one. I'm on to it... kids - come here!