The drive had no play when sitting on the trailer with the motor not running. The drive didn't move when the motor was running,sitting on the trailer. Unless you would push on one side or the other then it would take off. I blamed it on the Brazil valve, I tried it after I changed to full hydraulic steering and it would not do it. I don't run tabs, never did.

I'd get the tabs first, especially if you run in rough water.

Like a set of these puppies.

OK so as of now it's 4 to 1 for tabs.

THanks for all of your input, please keep it coming.

As far as tabs go, the 280 K-planes are expensive and only 19" long, Dana HP1000T are 21" and less expensive but seem to be of very good quality and reputation, Dont know much about Trick stuff - any input vs Dana? I plan to go with Mech indicators so Livorsi gets my nod.....Am I missing anything?

From the Pic of the Trick Tabs, it seems that the indicator cable is through the mount plate rather than a seperate fitting. Good/Bad on that issue????

That's the way the 280's are too.

Call fred, aka Too Old, of Trick Marine.
He's got the dope on all the goods!

I don't like the "add-on" external steering. It's nothing more than a band-aid system. I would go with full hydraulic steering first and then, if you need the tabs, get them.

Well put!

My 27 ft v did what gpm describes to a tee,even with external hyd,but 95 % of it went away after going full to the helm.I would favor the tabs over full hyd only if you said your boat porpoised or listed to one side from torque twist . My boat would do it(chinewalking) above 75 mph once you were no longer accelerating,i extended the tabs and it really made no difference,the full hyd fixed it,Smitty

Thanks all for the insightful comments. I will go with the steering first (its easier to put on) and let y'all know how things shake out.