Here is another Trailer Trick we've spotted which helps anytime you are hitting the road with launches: use an empty trailer rack to secure your engines.

You might not need this hack on every trip, but it is not all that unusual to see folks loading up an outboard along with their shells and sculls, whether for a training trip or just to bring a spare coaching ride to an away race. You could lay that engine down on the trailer or bed of your truck, of course, but if you rack it, this Hack helps you three ways:

• you can store the engine upright, which is a real plus for a 4-stroke motor that has to be laid down carefully, on one specific side, to avoid an oil spill;
• you get to save yourself some serious square footage on the floor of your trailer for all the other stuff you are traveling with;
• best of all, you can secure the motor by locking the thumbs screws together, as seen here, or even by using the same outboard engine lock-bar you'll use in the launch when you get there.

All you need to put the Rack Your Engine Hack to work for you is an empty rack. The low racks up front by the hitch are usually free, unless they are blocked by your Regatta Beater Bikes (which they might be, if you haven't installed your trailer's Side-Mount Bike Racks yet).

Properly theft-proofed: Gopher-made, Hacker-approved

Once you have the engine mounted on the rack, just tighten it down and lock it up. It'll be as secure now on the trailer as when it's mounted on your launch--ensuring you will have it to use when you arrive, even if you haven't been theft-proofing your outboards, Rowing Hack style.

Next time you hit the road hauling some extra outboard horsepower, this slick trick that will keep that motor properly upright, easily secured, and conveniently out-of-the-way.

Do you have a Rowing Hack that you use to secure stuff on your trailer? If so, share your tips--and hacks--in the comments below.

If you have a great rowing hack to suggest for future inclusion, then please send it to us and we will feature your idea in a future column.