Looking For High-Low Adapter For 2-1/2" Hitch With 12" Drop

Updated 03/12/2026 | Published 03/08/2026

Question:

We most likely need a new high-low adapter for flat towing. We have a 2025 Nexus Wraith 37F. The distance from the ground to the center of the hitch receiver is about 27 11/32. We are towing a 2025 Ford Maverick Hybrid Lariat AWD. The distance from the ground to the center of the tabs that accept the tow bar arms is about 14 11/16. Thus the difference is about 12 21/32. From what I am reading, a high-low adapter with a total of 12inch would be best, but we could get by with one that has a total of 10. Our hitch is rated for at least 10,000 pounds. We cant remember if it happens to be rated for 15,000 pounds or not. But our Maverick is about 5500 pounds, so we would only need to care about a rating above 10,000 pounds for future towing possibilities and do not, at this time, foresee needing anything above 10,000 pounds. Our hitch receiver on our Wraith is 2 1/2. We are using the Roadmaster Nighthawk tow bar which has a 2inch shaft. Our current hitch, which has a of about 8, I think, has a shaft of 2. We do use a reducer with it, but got a lot of chucking when we towed our previous vehicle, a Jeep Wrangler. We are thinking if we found one of sufficient with a 2 1/2inch shaft that not needing to use the reducer would decrease the chucking. All that being said, do you have a high-low adapter with a of 12inch that has a 2 1/2inch shaft that goes into the motorhome receiver and a 2inch receiving end for the tow bar shaft? If not, what do you have that would work? If it does not have a 2 1/2inch shank or if a 2 1/2inch shank would not decrease chucking, what would decrease chucking and still withstand the rigors of towing a 5500 pound vehicle over the horrible roads of this country and Canada? Thank you for your assist.

asked by: Debbie P

Expert Reply:

Hi Debbie, thanks for reaching out. You are on the right track looking for a 12" drop adapter. For the amount of drop you need, the best heavy-duty option we have is the Gen-Y Adjustable 2-Ball Mount with 12" drop, part # 325-GH-625. It uses a solid 2-1/2" shank for your motorhome receiver and is rated for 21,000 lbs, so it is more than capable of handling a 5,500 lb towed vehicle. It gives you the vertical adjustment range you need and can work for trailer towing and flat towing.

That said, we do not currently offer a 12" drop high-low adapter that has a 2-1/2" shank going in and a 2" receiver coming out in a single solid piece. So, if your tow bar has a 2" shank, you will still need to use a reducer sleeve in the stacked receiver opening.

If you want to try to reduce chucking, the biggest improvements usually come from keeping everything level, using tight fitting hitch pins, and ensuring your tow bar bushings and arms are in good shape. There isn't a great way to add an additional anti-rattle devise to this setup unfortunately. Still, the Gen-Y hitch is super solid, and I think you will be happy with it.

Are you needing any other parts for you flat tow setup? I'm happy to throw together a parts list for you, just say the word!

expert reply by: Jesse M

Gen-Y Adjustable 2-Ball Mount w/ Stacked Receivers - 2-1/2" Hitch - 12" Drop/Rise - 21K
(click to enlarge)

Debbie P.

3/10/2026

If I understand correctly, we would not use a ball. Instead, we would put our reducer on on tow bar shaft and place the shaft in the appropriate opening for the drop we needed - the openings where I see the ball placed in the pictures. Then we would use one hitch pin to secure the tow bar shaft to the adapter. Is that correct?

Jesse M.

3/11/2026

@DebbieP Yes you got it! You can just put the adapter sleeve and tow bar into the lowermost of the stacked receivers then pin it in. The ball would only be for trailer towing.

Debbie

3/11/2026

I haven’t seen a motor home ever need a 12” high hitch but if you say so we’ll go with that. Take into account the total tow weight of your motorhome and the tongue weight max’s. If you need to up grade the hitch then you need to upgrade the hitch (2.5/3.0”). I was raised that you don’t want to max out any hitch what so ever. You’ll probably need to add air bags (or upgrade) to handle tongue weight. I bought the GEN Y hitch and use it weekly. However I had the buy an additional dropnweight distribution hitch and not use the Gen Y to pull my big toy hauler. What was is not material. Keep it simple. Max weight of tow - tow vehicle, hitch, and what you need now and in the future. Max Tongue weight of - tow vehicle, hitch, what is towed now and future. Air bags to handle Tongue weight - add or upgrade minimize sag. Consider Weight Distribution hitches

Jesse M.

3/11/2026

@Debbie Hey Debbie, thanks for the feedback! That's extremely helpful!

Debbie P.

3/11/2026

@Debbie Not sure what you are trying to tell me, but we are flat-towing our Maverick behind our motorhome. So, there should be no tongue weight on the hitch except for the adapter and a portion of the towbar setup, which should be well below the 1/2 of the hitch's tongue weight capacity. I was also surprised that the hitch is so high off the ground, but then our Wraith sits up higher than the typical Class A or Class C (it is a super C). When we used our current 8" high-low adapter, there is a noticeable slope in the tow arms to the Maverick - more than a 3" difference would indicate. Having said all of that, I will be measuring again just to be sure. Don't want to spend that kind of $ to have it be overkill because I mismeasured.

Jesse M.

3/12/2026

@DebbieP Hey Debbie. Yes if you measure and come up with something different just let me know. We do have those Gen-Y hitches in different configurations if needed. You know where to find me if there is anything else you need :)