If you have the hitch off then you cut the receiver off you have the beam to put back on the car under the bumper cover to support the cover.
Or if you found a pro the receiver could be sliced off and the TC would be ready for the Class three hitch in a 1/2 hour.
The Gen 1 Connects already have pretty good ground clearance stock (7.9") vs Gen 2's (6"). I haven't had any problems with the forestry resource roads around British Columbia with mine. That being said, fitting the largest tire you can would be the easiest thing to get some extra clearance.