RE: Hitch Ball Mount dimensions

[van castle]

 I m in the process of equipping a 2002 Jeep Liberty-Limited Edition as my tow vehicle. When I placed the ball mount (2-1/4"  drop, 7-1/2"  length) into the hitch receiver, the ball is directly below the full-size spare tire attached to the outside of the rear door.
 
 Problem: when I attempt to couple the trailer tongue, there is not enough clearance for the coupler release handle to be fully extended in the up position and the coupler will not open enough to receive the ball.  
 
 Question: Would it be better to find a ball mount with a longer shank?  I can drop another inch or so and the trailer will still tow in a level position.
 
 Seeking advice
 

[wahoonc]

 van castle
That would work or if it is a swing away spare you could move the spare first[8D] or if the spare is attached to the door just open the door, if it is a tailgate... can t remember what the rear of a Jeep Liberty looks like[&:]
 
 Aaron[]

[garym053]

 van castle
Personally, (if it isn t a swing out spare) I would DROP an inch, if as you say it remains level,  before I would extend the ball OUT an inch. That inch is going to put more leverage on the back of the liberty and may end up being too much for it under some circumstances

[van castle]

 van castle
Duh! I didn t think of the obvious...move the tire. It is attached to the door opens right to left. Thanks Aaron and Gary.

[garym053]

 van castle
That s alright!!! One ime during our first year of popping up, I couldn t figure out why I couldn t lower the hitch onto the ball! I d crank down the tongue jack and soon the wheel would come off the ground and the hitch was nowhere near the ball!! I had raised the stabilizers but forgotten the jack stands that I use under the A frame for added stability!!! I felt really foolish! Especially with the wife watching!! That s almost as bad as having to ASK for directions.

[Catonsville Camper]

 van castle
Hey Van.  I am doing the exact same thing.  New 2003 Liberty with spare tire in the way.  Haven t hooked up yet but let me know how it works.
 
 Also, how did you wire up the brake controller?  My Liberty came with the factory tow package and I can t find where the wiring harness is.  Any help would be appreicated.

[Catonsville Camper]

 van castle
OK I m up for an experiment.  I purchased a hitch with a longer shank tonight.  I m going to see if the longer hitch feels any different than the shorter one.  I m not real excited about backing up with the back door open and I m not thrilled about the lower ball the 3-1/4"  drop gives me.  The parts person at the camper supply didn t think it would matter.  This might take me through the weekend to do though.  I ll try and upload a pic of the back end opened up.