Lifting spare tyre mount
 

I have a 2011 JKU which has recently taken on the additional duties of towing my pop top caravan. Unfortunately with the van hooked up I cannot open the tailgate as the spare hits the top of the tow hitch. (I am running stock tyres and rims). Other than removing the spare the obvious solution is to lift the spare tyre on it's mount slightly. A Google search reveals a number of products but before I buy online I'm wondering if anyone has any experience with a tyre relocation bracket that could give me some feedback.

Additionally if anyone has an alternative suggestion (other than deflating the spare) I would be open to ideas.

Thanks in advance.

I have one that I had on my tj for a few weeks. Not 100% sure it would fit a jk wheel though.

I can check in the morning. It listed for sale on here somewhere.

You could try flipping the tow bar tongue or getting an adjustable tongue

http://www.haymanreese.com.au/produc...le-and-towball

Have you considered swapping the coupling on the van. Most of the off road hitches are a lower profile than a standard 50 mm hitch. It might not be too difficult if the hitch is bolted to the A frame.

Could you not change the type of hitch you have on the caravan for something that doesn't stick up as high? Probably cheaper than looking at new spare wheel mounts. Also means you're not reducing the already poor rear visibility of the JK even further by lifting the spare any higher than it needs to be.

That said, getting a new spare wheel mount might not be a bad thing, especially if you're considering bigger tyres, or different wheels that may be heavier. The standard JK rear door hinges are known to give out with anything heavier than the OE wheels & tyres hanging off them.

I have a terraflex ajustable rear wheel bracket works great you can raise your rear tire up to 75 mm higher

Sent from my SM-G900I using Aussie Jeep Offroad mobile app

Sent from my SM-G900I using Aussie Jeep Offroad mobile app

Why don't you buy a hitch extension? I bought one off ebay for cheap as I have the same problem with my box trailer. They go into your hitch receiver and you put your tow ball hitch into the extension.

You can get various lengths to suit what you need and they are cheaper than buying a spare tyre mount adapter.

The other solution is to change your ball tongue to an off road style hitch. I have one of these on my camper trailer and there is no issue opening the tailgate.