How to Prevent Trailer Coupler from Hitting Spare Tire on a 1999 Jeep Wrangler

Question:

So I have a 99 Wrangler, nothing fancy but I am trying to figure out a way to get my trailer lock to stop hitting my spare tire. I have to pull the hitch out of the receiver to close the trailer lock which is a pain in the rear. I cant flip the hitch because its not lifted so basically Im looking for a fix that doesnt involve a lift kit, or taking off my spare tire.

asked by: Samantha

Expert Reply:

If by trailer lock you are referring to the trailer coupler then I do have an option for you that will not require a lift kit or for you to remove the spare tire on your Jeep. For this, you are going to want to use a ball mount with an extended shank. We have a few options for this but will be dependent on the amount of rise/drop you need to keep the trailer level. I have attached a help article that will explain this. If it turns out that you need either a 3/4" rise or 2" drop then I recommend the Extra Long Ball Mount part # D-26 which measures 12-5/8" from the center of the pin hole to the center of the ball hole.

If you have a different rise/drop then please let me know and I will see if we have a different ball mount for you. A hitch extender like part # RM-071-1075 will reduce your towing capacity so this is not the route I suggest taking.

expert reply by: Conner L