Frequently asked questions
Will the Tuck-Hitch work for my situation?
You can get an approximate idea of how much clearance the Tuck-Hitch will allow you to gain by doing this measurement and calculation:
1. Make sure the boat is unhooked from the vehicle and the trailer frame is perfectly level
2. Measure the distance in inches from the bottom of the trailer tongue to the ground and subtract an inch (A)
3. Measure the distance in inches from the wheel hub of the forward axle to the end of the trailer tongue (B)
4. Measure the distance in inches from the wheel hub of the forward axle to the location of the height restriction (C)
5. Perform the simple calculation of (A/B) x C = approximate clearance to be gained with the Tuck-Hitch
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If A = 12, B = 120, and C = 50, the approximate clearance gain at the height restriction equals 5 inches.
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How does the Tuck-Hitch work?
The Tuck-Hitch allows you to gain up to several inches of clearance for boat height limitations when attempting to store your boat in your garage by effectively dropping the front of the trailer to a very low position.
How do I properly use the Tuck-Hitch?
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Please see the video on the home page for the recommended use of the Tuck-Hitch. ALWAYS BLOCK THE TRAILER WHEELS WHEN THE BOAT IS NOT CONNECTED TO THE VEHICLE and don't forget to reverse all the steps when you decide to take your boat out of the garage!
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How much additional height clearance will the Tuck-Hitch provide?
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The additional height clearance gained by the Tuck-Hitch will vary with each vehicle and boat combination. The further the height restriction from the axle of the boat trailer, the more clearance you will gain. The video on the home page gives a great example of the Tuck-Hitch's travel and clearance. Try the measurements and calculation above to get an idea of the possible clearance gain for your situation. Give it a try and if it doesn't meet your needs you may return it according to our return policy. We are dedicated to help people store their boats in their garage and we will be responsive to any questions you may have!
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Why do I need a Tuck-Hitch?
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The Tuck-Hitch has many benefits for different situations and different types of boat owners. The obvious reason you need the Tuck-Hitch is that you need some extra height clearance in order to fit your boat into your garage. Many boat owners live in neighborhoods with HOA rules and restrictions which disallow you from storing your boat in your driveway or on a parking pad. In this situation the Tuck-Hitch allows you to fit your boat in your garage to avoid any HOA issues or fines and prevents the need for you to store your boat in a storage facility several miles from your home.
I don't want to store my boat in my garage and would rather use a storage unit or park it outside so the Tuck-Hitch would not benefit me, right?
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WRONG! In some situations, storing your boat in your garage or on your property is not feasible or you would prefer to use a storage unit facility. The Tuck-Hitch can still help! Outside parking is obviously the cheapest way to store you boat. However, with the Tuck-Hitch you could possibly fit your boat into a smaller, more cost-effective storage unit. Most storage facilities have small garage door openings. In order to get a storage unit with enough height clearance, the incremental monthly storage fee could be as much as $100-$150 per month depending on your location. Depending on your measurements/calculations above, you could use the Tuck-Hitch to fit your boat into an otherwise smaller storage unit thereby saving money each month in excess storage fees!
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What if my outboard motor is also a height limitation?
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Some outboard motor boats have two height restrictions - the outboard motor itself, and the boat's front windshield. For this situation, we recommend the "teeter totter" method. Instead of dropping the front of the trailer, you will need to first raise the front of the trailer. Trim up the outboard engine to a favorable angle. Next, remove the Tuck-Hitch lowering mechanism, install the drop shank in the upward position, attach the hitch ball holder to the drop shank and raise the front of the trailer with the trailer jack as far as it will allow. Once the front of the trailer is raised to the maximum height, install the hitch ball holder to the drop shank as to maximize the height of the front of the trailer and connect the trailer to the hitch ball. Adjust the outboard motor trim as needed in order to clear the garage door opening, and back your boat into the garage just short of the next vertical height limitation. Once you have cleared the outboard motor into the garage, disconnect the trailer and install the full Tuck-Hitch assembly and proceed with the normal operation as outlined in the video. ALWAYS BLOCK THE TRAILER WHEELS WHEN THE BOAT IS NOT CONNECTED TO THE VEHICLE. Don't forget to reverse all the steps when you decide to take your boat out of the garage!
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Will the Tuck-Hitch fit my vehicle?
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The Tuck-Hitch will fit most standard light and heavy duty trucks and sport utility vehicles equipped with a 2" receiver hitch. Smaller crossover vehicles' receiver hitch may not allow enough space between the receiver and the end of the bumper to install the drop shank in the upward position. If this is the case, a generic "receiver hitch extension" with a sufficient weight rating may be used. If you are using the Tuck-Hitch on a smaller vehicle with a low receiver hitch height, the hitch ball and its holder may be installed in the inverted position in order to allow enough clearance for the trailer wheel jack to be retracted and stowed when connecting the trailer to the Tuck-Hitch. If this method does not provide enough clearance, a receiver "drop/rise" adapter, with sufficient weight rating, may be used between the vehicle and the Tuck-Hitch.
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Will the Tuck-Hitch work on a lifted vehicle?
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A vehicle's bumper/receiver hitch height is not a limitation for the Tuck-Hitch. There are several height/fitment combinations available with the stock Tuck-Hitch. For a lifted vehicle, simply install the drop shank in the down position and attach the Tuck-Hitch so that the boat trailer jack has enough clearance to be retracted when the trailer is connected to the Tuck-Hitch.
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Can the Tuck-Hitch be used on the road or highway?
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No. The Tuck-Hitch is not allowed or designed for on-road or highway use. It is only intended to be used for a very short distance for the purpose of backing a boat into a garage in order to clear height limitations/restrictions.
What is the tongue weight capacity of the Tuck-Hitch?
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The Tuck-Hitch has a maximum tongue weight capacity of 500 lbs. Trailer tongue weight is significantly less than your overall boat/trailer weight combination and is typically only 5-15% of your overall boat/trailer weight combination. Refer to your boat owners manual for this value. The gross towing weight capacity is 4000 lbs. Remember, the Tuck Hitch is not approved or allowed for on-road or highway use.
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What is the return policy for the Tuck-Hitch?
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You may return your Tuck-Hitch worry free within 30 days of purchase date for any reason. Buyer is responsible for returning and shipping the Tuck-Hitch complete with all parts and in its original packaging. Once received, Tuck-Hitch.com will refund your purchase price, less seller's original shipping cost less a 15% restocking fee. To initiate a return, please use the contact form on the home page.
What is the warranty for the Tuck-Hitch?
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The Tuck-Hitch is warranted for 30 days from the date of purchase for workmanship. Although many boat owners have used the Tuck-Hitch successfully to fit their boat into their garage or storage unit, due to the infinite number of vehicle, boat, and garage door opening height combinations, Tuck-Hitch.com does not make any warranty, express or implied, that it will work for your particular situation.
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Is the Tuck-Hitch Patented?
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The Tuck-Hitch is currently Patent Pending. Licensing inquiries may be made through the contact form on the home page.
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What if I do not see my question?
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Contact us through the contact form on the home page and we'll answer your question as soon as possible!
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ABOUT
How we started
The Tuck-Hitch concept was borne out of necessity. We needed to fit a big boat into a small garage. Our boat trailer had a swing-away tongue so the overall length was not the limiting factor. The boat's windshield was too high to clear the garage door opening and we could not figure out how to get the boat safely inside. We created the Patent Pending Tuck-Hitch to solve for the garage door height restriction and it worked beautifully.
Why Tuck-Hitch?
The Tuck Hitch allows you to:
Get a big boat into a small garage door opening
Get a bigger boat into a medium sized garage door opening
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"I was able to get my Yamaha AR190 into my garage with the help of the Tuck Hitch. My boat is protected at my home instead of sitting in outdoor storage and I use it more often"
“After paying storage unit costs for several years, I am now able to store my Lund Tyee in the third stall of my garage by using the Tuck Hitch."
“My folding wakeboard tower would not allow me to clear the garage door opening. The Tuck Hitch provided just enough drop and clearance to get my boat into the garage.”