www.iFourWinns.com

Same here, except I use 3/4 to keep away from the seals.

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Jimbo
Na. Ga.

2000 170 Horizon LS
4.3GL

There isn't a trailer button persay. Trim it all the way up. You will hear a noticable difference when the drive is full up or in the trailering position.

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-Tony
2016 Robalo R200 w/Yahama 200!

Previous boats:
2003 Four Winns 248 Vista - sold
1994 Sunbird Corsair 200 - sold
1980 Checkmate Predictor - sold

Same here. Used a dremel to slot some 3/4 PVC. Cheap and, IMO, better than the store-boughts.

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Jimbo
Na. Ga.

2000 170 Horizon LS
4.3GL

The trim cylinders and pump are designed to take the full thrust of the engine at WOT and then some. Supporting just the weight of the drive is almost insignificant, IMO.
That being said, if you're really concerned about the drive dropping down, then the clips will offer some piece of mind. In the event of pressure loss, I would wonder if the plastic could truly support the weight though.

I'm pretty sure they will. My old boat - the oil in the trim pump would leak by the seals so if you raised the drive, it would slowly drift down and be in the lowered position (while on the trailer) after about a day. With the clips on, the drive always stayed raised.

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2008 FW F204 - 5.0 VP "Stand On It"
Former Boat: Larson 186 LXI - 4.3 VP

This would be true but the root cause is that the cylinders are leaking in that case. The clips are a bandaid that do address trailering, which is what this thread is about, but what about when you're cruising? I would repair the issue. I guess since the clips are cheap enough, I would raise the drive for trailering, and pop the clips on. Whenever I remove the clips I would see first hand if the drive had slipped at all.

I have towed 1000's of miles, across the US a couple of times, and from the Gulf of Mexico to Canada. All with boats with an IO---- I use the plastic/or wood pieces on the rams for very long tows, but never use them for the typical 20-30 miles to a boat ramp. I always lower the drive when the boat sits on the trailer at the house. I have never had a trim cylinder leak issue. Last year I towed 14 hours each way on my Volvo outdirve and used the clips. They were loose when I started and loose when I got there. The trim cylinders had not moved in 14 hours of nonstop towing.

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DaleG -- West Palm Beach FL
2003 240Horizon -- 5.7Gi -Duoprop