motor in gear during trailering????

Do you guys put your motor in gear during trailering??

I know some do it to prevent prop spin, but is there any real reason why a spinning prop is harmful during trailering???

Thanks!

Wind and sun can dry things out down there, better to be safe than sorry. Besides, imagine a Honda towing a Honda with a spinning prop. Is it pushing or pulling?

Maybe I have been lucky but I have never put mine in gear while towing.

Been towing boats for 40 years.

A prop spinning on a 500 mile trip is like going a quarter mile across the lake.

I have heard from the elders taht a spinning prop is better to apoint because a kicked up rock on the drive bounces off the prop without much damage, but a prop in gear not spining can take some serious dings. I have always had mine spinning. but that is what I have heard for a no gear reason.

Have never had my motor in gear on purpose….never really thought about it. I would think a spinning prop would be better for the above mentioned reasons. But then again, I usually tow my boat about 60-70 miles round trip when I’m fishing around here.

The purpose of keeping your engine in gear is to prevent excessive bearing wear as you are traveling down the road.

Can be tough on the prop shaft seals on long trips. Dry seals on a rotating shaft then throw a little gravel dust In the mix equals no good.

If the motor is in gear, it is also free to bounce when you hit bumps unless you tie it. Then you have wear on the transom???

If you have a prop spinner rig when driving, a small bungie can handle that