I absolutely hate using an extension, it's such a pain. I have a drop hitch but the A-frame trailer jack will hit the rear tire if I don't use an extension. Has anyone figured out a different way around this? I'm debating dropping the rear tire mount all together, it's nothing but a hassle. Only thing is there's no rear license plate mount or lights without it.

I'd love some suggestions.

 

You just need to get the other rear hatch pocket part where the handle is that has the lights and screw holes for the license plate.

OEM NEW Rear Liftgate License Plate Pocket Handle Panel 03-05 Hummer H2 15135441 | eBay

Not sure if that one fits all years or not though. I "think" that this part is probably universal though but I have no idea of the wiring for the lights is already there or if there are any internal differences in the mounting.

Mine came with the inside mounted spare which I hated too. It takes up a ton of room inside. I looked at changing to the external spare but then I concluded that is a pain so I just gave up and go without a spare now. I have the on-board air and I keep a plug kit. If a get a flat than cannot just be plugged in place I'll call for roadside assistance.

If I do plan on some long trip or will be a long ways offroad I'll put the spare up on the roof and take it with. Just not the easiest thing to get up on the roof, particularly without a ladder....

 

Yes, you need the new pocket with the light. I am not sure either if the pigtail is sitting in the rear hatch or not. I want to say it isn't, I was in mine once replacing my hatch lock actuator and don't recall seeing anything.


Worst case you would just branch off one of the tail lights to run the license plate lights.


I too have thought about doing this and bought a nice plug kit so I could drop my spare. Problem is the non-external rear tow hooks usually go for $100 each if not more which is ridiculous not to mention the price of that license plate pocket is a complete joke for a piece of cheap plastic......ehh maybe one day.

 

Is the trailer jack bolted or welded on? I would just move the jack enough to clear the tire. Easier than modifying the tire mount and harness.

 

Moving the trailer jack sounds like it's the easiest idea. I'll see what I can do about welding some angle iron on further back.

Looking at the rear spare, it looks like you can remove the swing arm from the tow hook mounts. There's a couple bolts in there, it may work.

$300 for that plastic pocket though is pretty insane.

 

I had the same problem, got pissed and just mounted the spare back inside the rear of the duece.

 

Hey brother, there is a solution. I use a drop down hitch. On my trailer, the jack folds up so it is now alongside the frame. I have a sealander trailer and you can probably see how it works on their website.

They also make just the jack which you can bolt on to any trailer. I have a flat bed too and forgot to raise the jack stand all the way one time. Come on, I know I am not the only to do this. Anyway I just cut it off and bolted on the flip up jack stand.

 

On trailers with folding jacks this works fine. However with an A frame mounted jack, it cannot fold. However it's much more stable than a folding jack. I've had trailers in the past with folding jacks that with a few hundred pounds weight on them have collapsed, which is why for a heavy duty trailer I use the A-frame jack.

I'm just going to drop the rear spare and keep it in the garage. It blocks easy access to the rear gate as well. I'll put the plate on with screws. I seldom drive at night so an illuminated plate really isn't a big deal for me. I'll find a way to tap some lights inside and install my own.

 

I agree this is such a pain!

I hate to loose the space inside for the spare though.

I think i'm going to redesign the existing one and add a power feature :-P
Stay tuned for more details...

 

If you have not had it inside before you are going to be shocked at how much space it takes in the back along with blocking a nice bit of your rear view. Mine came with the spare mounted inside and I took it out. With it in there have have about enough room for a good size cooler in the back and not much else. I looked at rear mounts like what you have and did not much like the hassle of having to swing that in and out all the time either. So for now I'm just going sans spare around town. I plan on eventually buying or fabricating my own roof rack and one of the ladders and putting the spare up top. That is of course also not at all fun to put it up there or gets it back down though as our spare tires are not exactly very light. No win scenario not matter how you go about it.