Ground Clearance After Installing Trailer Hitch on 2009 Dodge Journey

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Question:

I want to install a Trailer Hitch to my 2009 Dodge Journey SE. The concern I have is that the trailer hitch may be too low to the ground. Looking at the Trailer Hitch Installation video you have on youtube, it shows the top of the receiver tube being 13-3/4inch from the ground. Im worried that the trailer hitch may be to low to the ground for most trailers, as well as possible ground scrapping when going over a bump/uneven terrain. Looking forward to hearing back

asked by: Anthony

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Expert Reply:

Installing a trailer hitch on just about any vehicle will reduce its ground clearance, especially when the hitch installs below the bumper cover. Some hitches are designed to provide a more hidden appearance for cosmetic reasons and this type may offer more ground clearance. The linked video details the available hitches for your Journey and how they differ.

Actual ground clearance depends on several factors including passenger count, cargo weight in the vehicle and wheel/tire size and condition.

Many hitch-mount accessories like bike racks and cargo carriers have shanks (the part that goes into the hitch opening) that have an angle or rise to provide better clearance for the rack itself. Examples are the Swagman XC 2-Bike Platform Bike Rack # S64650 which has 4-inches of rise in the shank and the Curt Cargo Carrier # C18151 which has 2-inches of rise.

When there is a potential concern with ground clearance, say when entering a steep driveway with some type of carrier installed on the car, approaching the driveway at a sharper angle (not straight on) often helps.

expert reply by: Adam R

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Answer 1

Hey Curtis! Yes, the etrailer Trailer Hitch Receiver #e98845 comes with the fishwire/bolt leader. All of the hardware pictured below, including the fishwire, will come with the trailer hitch. This is confirmed to fit your 2018 Dodge Journey. Do you…

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Answer 2

I'd be glad to help you with that. Actually, the etrailer brand Class III hitch you'd already looked at, part #e98845 would be a high quality but reasonably priced choice. You'll also need a few other items to complete your towing system.…

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Answer 3

The difference between the Class II and Class III hitches has to do with their Gross Trailer Weight (GTW), their Tongue Weight (TW), and their Hitch Receiver Size. Class II trailer hitch receivers have a 1-1/4 inch receiver and can be rated up to…

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Answer 4

The etrailer Trailer Hitch Receiver item #e98845 does not come with a wiring harness. This is a custom fit 2" hitch receiver for a 2013 Dodge Journey. The wiring harness you will need is determined by what kind of tail lights your Journey has.…

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Answer 5

The easiest way to determine if you have LED or incandescent lights on your Dodge Journey is to simply watch them illuminate and turn off. If they come on immediately and turn off immediately then they are most likely LEDs. LEDs will also be quite a…

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Answer 6

I looked up the towing capacity of your 2012 Dodge Journey 4 cylinder and it has a 1,000 lb towing capacity. If your trailer weighs less than 1,000 lbs you could install a hitch like the etrailer.com hitch part #e98845 to tow it. For trailer wiring…

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Answer 7

The Draw-Tite Sportframe Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - 2" #DT65GR can tow a small boat trailer as long as the loaded trailer weight doesn't exceed 2,000lbs and the tongue weight doesn't exceed 300lbs. The more important thing to…

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Ground Clearance After Installing Trailer Hitch on 2009 Dodge Journey

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