Get Hitched: Selecting and Using a Trailer Hitch for Your Jeep

Hitch Receivers

The term “hitch” typically describes one of two components. First, let’s discuss hitch receivers, often shortened to hitches, which are the components that physically bolt to your Jeep’s frame or bumper. 

Hitch receivers come in various configurations determined by your vehicle’s maximum towing capacity and the cargo you plan to tow. There are four standard receiver sizes, including 1-¼-inch, 2-inches, 2-½-inches, and 3-inches; however, due to your Jeep’s small size and low towing capacity, it’s rare to see anything larger than a 2-inch receiver, as 2-½ and 3-inch sizes are reserved for heavy-duty pickups.  

Next, we have hitch receiver classes, which are typically ranked using sequential Roman numerals where Class I is rated lowest and Class V is highest. Considering Jeep Wranglers max out around 3,500 lbs, this falls just at the cusp of a Class II hitch’s capabilities, so we’d generally recommend a Class III receiver for those towing at or near this weight.

Check out the table below for more information on classes and receiver sizes!

Ball Mounts

Next, we have ball mounts, which are essentially shanked brackets that tie the hitch ball to the receiver. Ball mounts feature a hole on one end to accept different size hitch balls and a shank on the other that matches the size of your Jeep’s hitch receiver, ensuring a snug fitment. Like hitch receivers, ball mounts vary in size and form factor. 

Ball mounts come in several shank sizes to match your Jeep’s receiver, including 1-¼-inch, 2-inches, 2-½-inches, and 3-inches; once again, you likely won’t utilize anything larger than a 2-inch ball mount on a Jeep. Ball mounts also come with various-sized hitch ball holes, accepting all standard ball sizes, including 1-⅞-inch, 2-inch, and 2-5/16-inch. 

Ball mounts also come in various form factors, including:

• Standard

• Drop

• Adjustable

• Multi Ball

• Torsion

• Pintle

Towing

Of course, the first item on the list has to be towing. The primary purpose of any hitch setup is lugging a trailer, whether that be a small utility trailer for a trip to the landfill, a flat deck trailer with a couple of ATVs on top, a Featherlite camper, or a small off-road trailer housing your camping gear and tools.

Bolstering Exterior Storage

One of the most popular uses of a trailer hitch, aside from towing, is bolstering your Jeep’s storage space. Seeing that cargo space is rather limited, especially in a 2-door Wrangler or CJ, adding surface area to store camping gear, bikes, or tools certainly comes in handy. We carry a wide selection of hitch-mounted carriers and accessories, like the Lund Hitch Carrier, which provides 10 square feet and 500 pounds of additional cargo capacity!

Recovery Mounting Solutions

There’s no such thing as being too cautious when you’re out on the trail, and if that means mounting additional recovery shackles or a hitch-mounted rear winch, then so be it! We carry various hitch-mounted recovery accessories, like the Bestop HighRock 4x4 Hitch Mount D-Ring Shackle, fitting in any 2-inch hitch receiver and providing a sturdy, ¾-inch D-Ring shackle mount for recovery purposes.

Improving Cargo Access

For added convenience, it’s tough to beat the practicality of a premium hitch step, like the Lund Fold-Down Hitch Step. Hitch steps provide easy access to your Jeep’s rear cargo area or roof rack, eliminating the need to haphazardly climb and leap around your Jeep, especially with a lift kit or oversized tires installed.

Selecting Your Hitch Receiver

Before beginning any teardown or bolting-on, you’ll need to select a hitch receiver that meets your needs and expectations. Using the information provided above, including receiver class ratings, receiver sizing, and ball mount sizing/design, determine which product best suits your needs; We’d recommend the Curt Class III Trailer Hitch or the Rugged Ridge Complete Trailer Hitch Kit.

Installing the Hitch Receiver

In most cases, installing the hitch receiver is as simple as bolting it onto your Jeep! Most kits feature convenient no-drill designs, requiring no drilling, trimming, or other modifications for installation. At the most, you may need to remove your Jeep’s rear bumper; in either case, expect installation to take 1-2 hours.

Wiring the Hitch Connector

You're not finished yet! Even after installing the hitch receiver, you’ll need to wire in a 4-pin trailer connector to power the trailer’s marker lights, license plate light, brake lights, and turn signals. Some hitch receivers, like the Rugged Ridge Complete Trailer Hitch Kit, include a simple, plug-and-play wiring harness for easy installation; however, if your preferred hitch does not, products like the Rugged Ridge Wiring Harness For Trailer Hitch make wiring a breeze!