Installing the Reese 44092 or Draw-Tite 75139 Trailer Hitch on a 2004 Grand Cherokee Laredo 4x4

Updated 01/28/2019 | Published 01/27/2019

Question:

I purchased a hitch from Reese that claimed to fit all Grand Cherokees from 99 -04 but once I attempted to install it I realized the skid plate over my fuel tank didn’t allow me to install it. The mounts for the frame were about 2 1/2” too short. I measured them at 7 1/2” from the flat tubing of the hitch. So do you guys have a hitch that has around 8 1/2” - 9” of clearance from the frame to fit my vehicle? Also maybe make a note in your discription that it doesn’t work with the 2004 Laredo 4x4 due to clearance issues.

asked by: Tyler

Expert Reply:

I reached out to my contact at Cequent (who makes the Draw-Tite and Reese trailer hitches) to see if this was a common problem and he said that it sounds like the Reese trailer hitch you are trying to install on your 2004 Grand Cherokee Laredo 4x4 is part 44092 which is the same as the Draw-Tite # 75139.

He said it should fit and that one of the common things that happen when someone is installing this trailer hitch is that they don't have the bolt holes on the trailer hitch aligned properly with the mounting holes in the frame of Grand Cherokee. Typically when people are having trouble fitting this trailer hitch they skipped one of the mounting holes in the frame so they are off by a few inches. Double check the holes on your frame and make sure that they line up with what you see in the attached photo from the installation instructions.

In regards to the skid shield and fascia, if you note in the attached photo you actually install some of the mounting bolts through the skid shield, and the fascia comes to rest right up against the top of the crosstube on the trailer hitch.

If you followed the instructions and have everything lined up properly but you are still having clearance issues if you could send me a picture of your setup and verify the Reese trailer hitch part number I can help you figure out what is going on.

Attached is a sample installation video on a 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee for you to reference.

expert reply by: Jon G