Is Hitch Extension Required For Carrying Chuck Bucket Ski Carrier 2023 Jeep Wrangler W/ Spare Tire?

Updated 09/29/2025 | Published 09/13/2025

Products Featured in This Question

etrailer Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Matte Black Finish - Class III - 2"

(635)

$146.67

Trailer Hitch Extender for 2" Hitch Receivers - 8" Long

(318)

$51.91

Question:

I have a 2022 Jeep Wrangler 4 door with a back tire. I want to buy this product to transport family skis: Chuck Bucket Ski Rack. I think I need to have a full tilt so Im able to open the back door. Do I need any sort of extender? Is this the best hitch for what Im trying to accomplish? if I need an extender, how does that affect the weight capacity of the ChuckIt system.

asked by: Dev B

Expert Reply:

Hey Dev, thanks for reaching out. I had never seen that chuck bucket thing before! How cool! I love the simplicity.

The etrailer Class 3 Hitch # e98856 is the best hitch option for this. It has an extended receiver tube which will help hitch accessories clear the spare tire. That said, I am not able to give you a firm yes or no answer as to whether you will need an extension or not. We do not carry the Chuck Bucket so the specs I have available to me are limited. Basically, you will need to look at the distance from the hitch pin hole to the closest part of the ski carrier bucket. Then measure from the hitch pin hole on the vehicle, to the farthest edge of the spare tire. You can compare these measurements to determine if the extension is needed.

If the extension is needed, something like the Trailer Hitch Extender for 2" Hitch Receivers # e88YR would work great.

The main thing to keep in mind is when using an extension, the tongue weight capacity of your trailer hitch will be reduced by half. So the # e98856 would be limited to 250 lbs if used with an extension. That includes the weight of the extension, Chuck Bucket and all your skis. I didn't see online how much the Chuck Bucket weighs, so we would want to be aware of that. I imagine 250 lbs would not be a problem.

How many pairs of skis will you be carrying? Whereabouts do you ski most often?

expert reply by: Jesse M

Jesse M.

9/29/2025

Hey Dev, did you have a chance to measure the distances to see if you need the hitch extender for your Jeep? I'd love to know how it worked out for you, as it could help others looking to transport their skis with the Chuck Bucket.

Dev B.

9/29/2025

@JesseM instead I asked the Chuck Bucket folks to put a video of their product on a Wrangler (because the only one I could find showed one where the tire and the rear brake light/video camera apparatus were entirely removed). When I commented publicly asking why the Wrangler was missing the tire, they said because they weren't using it so they took it off. I felt most Wrangler owners don't dismantle their back tire so am putting them to the test first. I have a feeling it doesn't work without an extender and I don't want an extender on the car.

Jesse M.

9/29/2025

@DevB I agree with you there Dev. I also have a feeling the chuck bucket would not work without an extender. I typically tell folks to avoid using extenders if at all possible. Typically, the manufacturers of these products would be able to tell you the distance from the hitch pin hole to the closest part of the rack. Most bike rack manufacturers offer this info. You know, its the weirdest thing. Ever since you sent in this question about the Chuck Bucket, I have been getting targeted ads for it on my Facebook feed. I must have said it out loud at some point. Still weird. Usually my ads are all for fishing stuff. Missouri isn't known for its Skiing lol Whereabouts do you ski most often?