How do I Get More Clearance so My Jeep Door Can Open and Not Hit My Trailer

Updated 01/12/2026 | Published 01/05/2026

Products Featured in This Question

TowSmart Adjustable Ball Mount - 2" Hitch - 7-1/2" Drop - 6-1/4" Rise - 5,000 lbs

(7)

$64.04

Trailer Hitch Extender for 2" Hitch Receivers - 18" Long

(261)

$85.47

Flint Hill Goods Adj Tri-Ball Mount - 2" Hitch - 5.75" Drop/Rise

(971)

$127.51

Question:

Hi, I have a 2024 Wrangler JLU with which I will be towinga tear trailer using a max coupler articulating hitch. I need a 2" hitch mount that will allow me to still open the Jeep tailgate when the trailer is attached I rented a trailer where the spare tire hit the tongue. I am not looking to spend a lot of money. What are my options?

asked by: Nicole S

Expert Reply:

Hey, Nicole!

Happy to help you out here. How much additional clearance do you need for your Jeep door to open? Is there anything on the trailer that the door is running into? Such as the trailer jack or tool box? There are some solution I can provide without knowing all that to at least get the ball rolling. I'm more than happy to look into some nonconventional solutions if needed.

We do have some extra long ball mounts like part # FHG92VR. The distance from the center of the hitch pin hold on the shank to the center of hitch ball is 16-1/2". It's also adjustable to different heights so give you more versatility for adjustment.

We do have some hitch extenders. You can use your existing ball mount and use extender like part # e48YR to get an extra 18" of clearance. One thing to note when using an extender is that since you're adding in an addition hitch pin, or breaking point, you will reduce your hitch capacity by 50%. Depending on how much you're towing and what your hitch is rated for, it may result in an overload.

I attached a picture below of how a fellow customer used the extender for their set up as well as the first ball mount I mentioned all hooked up.

expert reply by: Gwendolyn Y

e48YR
(click to enlarge)

FHG92VR
(click to enlarge)

Nicole S.

1/11/2026

As I shared, I don’t have the trailer yet. I’m also not comfortable using a hitch extender because with the off-road and I’ll be doing, that’s not really safe for the trailer. So hitch extender is not an option. The receiver is a little less than 18 inches high. I’m being told that the tongue on the Trailer side is about 21 inches high. I stated in my note that the tailgate is hitting the tongue on the trailer. I’m also not using a ball because I’m using the max coupler fully articulating hitch. The options in your pictures don’t work for the scenario.

Gwendolyn Y.

1/12/2026

@NicoleS Ah, sorry about that! I must have misunderstood when you said "I will be towing". It read as you already owning the trailer. I checked into the brand of coupler you mentioned you had and based off my research and some pictures they have, it looked like they had an attachment connecting into a traditional ball mount. The part number was showing as MC1000. We only carry Lock N Roll articulating hitch and couplers. I do have a question for you to gain a bit more clarification. Did the trailer manufacturer advise that you would be hitting the tongue of the trailer? I guess I'm a little confused since now I have confirmation that you don't have the trailer. Uhaul trailers have a coupler height of 18", so as long as you were using a straight ball mount, you shouldn't have any clearance issues.