Good morning. Hubby got on the other day looking at suggestions for transporting our PortaBote but didn't want to attach to TT side. We actually got it into the TT this weekend with no problems whatsoever so it will sit inside during travel. The question now is how to we transport the motor. Hubby read someone said to put it in a garbage can or tall enough bin so it would stay upright and put in bathroom so it wouldn't be able to move around. If there are no other suggestions we may have to do this as we are leaving Saturday. The engine will not fit upright in a can in the back of our truck because we have a truck cap on. Thanks for any other suggestions. Shari

TT's are not exactly built rugged. If you put it inside and it falls over it is going to destroy something and possibly leak very undesirable liquids inside. I just wouldn't be comfortable having it inside the TT under any circumstances because of what could happen. Can you mount it to the tailgate of the truck without interfering with the trailer?

We carry our 2-stroke 2hp O/B empty of fluids so we can stow it anywhere lying down. A big funnel helps when draining residual fuel back into the gas can for transport.

I put my PortaBote on top of my toad using a surf board mount. The seats and transom are in duffle bags on the back seat. The motor is laying on its side in the very back of the toad on top of a black garbage bag in case something leaks. The motor tells which side should point up.

If you find your so called permanent spot inside the trailer to carry the motor you might look into some of these recessed floor mounted rings to use with ratchet type straps to stabilize your motor perhaps. I have used these recessed floor mounts for strapping down our easy chairs when in transport more - works great and fold in completely flat when not in use. Not a trip hazard... My sisters bunch uses the same idea for strapping down bicycles being stored inside the trailer during transport mode.Roy Ken

Bobbo wrote:I put my PortaBote on top of my toad using a surf board mount. The seats and transom are in duffle bags on the back seat. The motor is laying on its side in the very back of the toad on top of a black garbage bag in case something leaks. The motor tells which side should point up.And you transport your motor w/out any fluids? Sorry if this is a dumb question - this is Wife asking - LOL.Shari

Transporting Motor for PortaBote | Good Sam Community

32 Replies

Bumpyroad
Explorer
Jun 03, 2014
CarpFishermanAndWife wrote:
Bumpyroad wrote:
an outfit that used to be in Montana IIRC and advertised in trailer life, etc., sold car/truck top loaders and they also sold a motor mount that mounted in the rear corner of the pick up bed, would slide out to mount motor on it, then pivot horizontally and slide into truck bed, under your cover.

I have tried to Google this with no luck. Anyone else heard of this or how to find info on it? Thanks!

Shari

do either TL or MH have an on line issue? I think that outfit moved to Oregon or some place and they might have an advertisement in one of the magazines. try to google boat car/truck top loaders. that was their main business.
bumpy
CarpFishermanAn
Explorer
Jun 03, 2014
Bumpyroad wrote:
an outfit that used to be in Montana IIRC and advertised in trailer life, etc., sold car/truck top loaders and they also sold a motor mount that mounted in the rear corner of the pick up bed, would slide out to mount motor on it, then pivot horizontally and slide into truck bed, under your cover.

I have tried to Google this with no luck. Anyone else heard of this or how to find info on it? Thanks!

Shari
CarpFishermanAn
Explorer
Jun 03, 2014
.
Bumpyroad
Explorer
Jun 03, 2014
CarpFishermanAndWife wrote:
The motor is a 3.5 HP & says do not lay flat but some of you are saying you lay it down, but just not flat, correct?

always keep the power head higher than the water/cooling system so the water does not run into the cylinders and ruin it. they are right do NOT lay flat. prop the power head up on some cushions, etc.
bumpy
CarpFishermanAn
Explorer
Jun 03, 2014
Bobbo wrote:
CarpFishermanAndWife wrote:
And you transport your motor w/out any fluids? Sorry if this is a dumb question - this is Wife asking - LOL.

Shari

Not exactly. My motor does not have a built in fuel tank, I use a 3 gallon tank with a hose/siphon bulb attached. When I am through with the bote, I remove the fuel hose and let the motor run till it runs out of gas. That empties the carb. I don't remove the oil in the lower section or the crankcase. Mine is a 6hp 4 stroke Nissan that says it is OK to lay on its side, as long as you put it on the correct side. I have carried it this way for about 4 years with no problems or leaks. Here is a JPG of the section in the owner's manual:

Thank you!
CarpFishermanAn
Explorer
Jun 03, 2014
(Ooops - edited duplicate)
CarpFishermanAn
Explorer
Jun 03, 2014
Francesca Knowles wrote:
CarpFishermanAndWife wrote:

It is a Nissan 3.5 HP, 4-stroke. Thanks!

Shari

Just looked at Nissan's manuals page - there's a bunch of models answering to that description. Link

Looked at one, though, and it does say keep vertical- but it ALSO gives directives as to proper "horizontal" positions-?

Thank you!
Bobbo
Explorer III
Jun 03, 2014
CarpFishermanAndWife wrote:
And you transport your motor w/out any fluids? Sorry if this is a dumb question - this is Wife asking - LOL.

Shari

Not exactly. My motor does not have a built in fuel tank, I use a 3 gallon tank with a hose/siphon bulb attached. When I am through with the bote, I remove the fuel hose and let the motor run till it runs out of gas. That empties the carb. I don't remove the oil in the lower section or the crankcase. Mine is a 6hp 4 stroke Nissan that says it is OK to lay on its side, as long as you put it on the correct side. I have carried it this way for about 4 years with no problems or leaks. Here is a JPG of the section in the owner's manual:
Francesca_Knowl
Explorer
Jun 03, 2014
CarpFishermanAndWife wrote:

It is a Nissan 3.5 HP, 4-stroke. Thanks!

Shari

Just looked at Nissan's manuals page - there's a bunch of models answering to that description. Link

Looked at one, though, and it does say keep vertical- but it ALSO gives directives as to proper "horizontal" positions-?
CarpFishermanAn
Explorer
Jun 03, 2014
JEBar wrote:
back near the front of the TT, we welded an arch between the two sides of the tongue and hung our Port-A-Bote's motor in the same way it hangs on the back of the boat

Jim

Do you have a pic Jim?

Shari

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Transporting Motor for PortaBote

32 Replies

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