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Why do you think that is so hard?

It's not hard at all actually, unless one needs to adopt the notion that they are two entirely different things.

Christ says that a rich man has a hard time entering either one.

So what you are saying is that one must first adopt the dispensational assumption that they really are two different things in order to understand the verse.

Rather than that that contrives explanation, it appears that this is a prime example of Hebrew parallelism for emphasis:

Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.
And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.

Jesus is really saying the same thing in two slightly different ways to make His point even more strongly.

There is no distinction in time or audience or subject. None, nada, zip, zilch. The verses say nothing about a so-called "tribulation time" that distinguishes one period from another.

Let's look at the passages more fully in parallel:

Then Jesus said to His disciples, "Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." When His disciples heard it, they were greatly astonished, saying, "Who then can be saved?" But Jesus looked at them and said to them, "With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." (Matt. 19:23-26)

Then Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, "How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!" And the disciples were astonished at His words. But Jesus answered again and said to them, "Children, how hard it is for those who trust in riches to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." And they were greatly astonished, saying among themselves, "Who then can be saved?" But Jesus looked at them and said, "With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible." (Mark 10:23-27)

In the same passage in Luke 18 Jesus is speaking to a rich Jewish man. He knew all of the law, but he as fond of his riches. Jesus didn't say to this Jewish man, it will be hard for you during the "Tribulation" because you are fond of your riches. The external conditions did not matter at all, because it was a matter of the heart.

And so there is no need to invent artificial distinctions between "kingdom of heaven" and "kingdom of God". Jesus in the Scripture plainly uses them to mean the same thing.