Will the Rola Enclosed Cargo Carrier Clear the Spare Tire on a Jeep Wrangler

Expert Reply:

In order to clear the spare tire on your Wranger, the Rola Tilting Enclosed Cargo Carrier requires 12 inches of clearance.

To determine if it will fit, have a helper hold a straight edge like a piece of lumber flush against the rear of the spare. Measure 12 inches rearward from the hitch pin hole of the receiver hitch on your Wranger. If this 12 inch measurement passes the piece of lumber, it will clear the spare tire, and the Rola Enclosed Carrier will work great for you.

Using a hitch extender like part # 80307 is a possible solution, but using an extender places the load further rearward away from the receiver. Because of the additional leverage this causes, using an extender lowers the tongue weight capacity of the hitch by half. A 2 inch receiver for a Wrangler typically has a 350 lb tongue weight capacity. Using the extender would reduce that to 175 lbs. When you subtract the 80 lbs or so that the carrier weighs, you will have less than 100 lbs of capacity available for cargo.

expert reply by: Mike L