www.iFourWinns.com

I have a 258 and do a fair amount of trailering. Does anyone use some type of mechanical support for their sterndrive when trailering their boat?
It would be a disaster if the hydraulics failed while on the road.
I know they sell accessories for this purpose but I dont see anyone else doing it.

It's designed to be towed in the raised position.

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

Your right, I don't see many using them either. But I use them, if you ever loose hydraulic pressure, drive will lower itself to the pavement. I have used these trailering ram clips / supports on all my boats. I am a firm believer, also takes pressure off pump while traveling as you lower drive down til it rests on supports.

Photo of my set up



Here is what could happen


West marine sells, see link below. Can get at any other parts house as well. Cheap!
http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/st ... sNum=10770

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2000 248 5.7L DP
'92, '94 SXI 750, '08 STX 15F, '12 Ultra LX 300
Videos

I got a set of those for my Cobra back when I had a leaky trim line and had to trailer it to the shop to get it fixed...they are good to have just in case of a problem with the trim system.....

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88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II

thanks Powellcrazy.
Now, do these supports snap snug over the strut? Or, do you actually have to lower you outdrive with the supports in place to make them stay put? or both?
appreciate the advice.

Both...yes they snap over the ram of the struts, then you have to lower the outdrive on to them so they don't move freely up and down the ram and the outdrive is supported. Just be carefull though or you WILL shatter the supports as they are just plastic. Don't ask me how I know

I had them on my old boat... need to get them for my current one.

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

I just got my 258 Vista...where is the Trailer Trim up button??? Or do you just trip up as much as you can?

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Chris W.

1999 258 Vista

Rockford, MI
Grand Isle Marina in Grand Haven, MI

Funny you mention the trailer button.

On mine it's lower on the throttle controls and says "trailer"; however, mine has never worked... I can trim up 100% with the trim button on the throttle. It appears that the previous had bypassed the "trailer" button for some reason. Additionally, I could see no reason to hook it back up.

Justin

I have been wondering about supporting my drive too. I bought a 91 235 vista recently and the roads here in SC are not that good. where can I get them? I have the King Cobra drive?

thanks

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JBS
91 235 viata "Cool Change"
04 exp eddie bauer v8 4wd

What do you base this on? I'm not a hydraulic expert but my understanding is that when the drive is lowered it is not "free falling" to the point of "resting" on those clips as you've stated. Instead, its reversing the pressure so instead of using pressure to keep it raised its using pressure to essential squeeze those clips. So, is it really resting or simply putting an equal or maybe even more amount of stress on the drive - depending on how much you lower it? My theory is that its not resting so to speak because there is no way you can lift the drive up.

I used these things on my first boat because they came with it as a precaution. But never lowered the drive down onto them.

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Former owner of:
1996 Four Winns Horizon 200 5.8L VP
2006 Four Winns Horizon 260 8.1L VP
2007 Sea Ray 290 Sundancer

Current boat
2004 Sea Ray 290 Sun Sport Twin 350 Mags

I was thinking of picking a set of these up with all of the trim pump issues I have had I really want to do anything I can to not have to deal with it again...

Is this something that isnt really needed but a nice to do?

I mean 20 dollars or so and to then know the drive isn't putting weight/strain on the pump would make me feel better...

Any one have any input of feed back on this?

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2007 200 Horizon- 4.3GXi/SX 225hp
2007 Tahoe LT

Please read start of thread. Some for, some not.

I am one that uses them

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2000 248 5.7L DP
'92, '94 SXI 750, '08 STX 15F, '12 Ultra LX 300
Videos

The key is to just lower the drive until they contact the support, Do not keep lowering drive to squeeze, as you mentioned, will increase pressure and could be counter productive.
Thousands of boaters do not use them for life of ownership, are they necessary? Nope. But for some its peace of mind.
If there ever where a hydraulic failure, would keep drive off the pavement while trailering. For me, peace of mind.

I would use them if you are concerned about a possible hydraulic failure but I wouldn't bother to lower the drive to rest on the clips because it's easy to break then doing that. Just trim it up all the way for trailering and pop the clips on and if there is any problem you have your safety net there in that the clips will hold up the drive.

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88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II

I use the clips (actually a homemade set from pvc pipe cut in 1/2) lower the drive on them (lightly) and then I also use a ratchet strap wrapped around the drive and hooked to the ski eye (just as a backup safety, I tend to believe in a backup on any "safety" device).

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'90 Horizon 220 5.8