Does Blue Ox 2-Inch Hitch Extender BX88265 Have an Internal Weld Stop

Updated 05/10/2017 | Published 05/09/2017

Question:

The hole in my 4 bike platform rack is 2inch from the end of the rack. Will this hole line up with the hole in the extension before the end of the bike rack hits the inside weld of the Blue Ox?

asked by: Rob

Helpful Expert Reply:

I measured the interior of the Blue Ox Hitch Extender # BX88265 to confirm how much interior space there is available for the shank of your bike rack. Since this extender does NOT have an internal weld stop there is available a full 3-inches of interior depth from the center of the hitch pin hole to the solid end of the shank portion. A 2-inch bike rack shank that extends in 2-inches from its hitch pin hole will easily fit without contacting that solid shank.

Do please note that use of any hitch extender/adapter will cause you to lose half of your hitch's rated weight capacity. This occurs because of the changed geometry; the further away from the hitch tube the actual rack weight load is the more leverage it will apply to the hitch. This is similar to how using a length of pipe over the end of a lug wrench gives you more leverage to loosen a stubborn lug nut.

This capacity loss means that the total combined weight of your bike rack and all loaded bikes cannot exceed HALF of the hitch's rated tongue weight (TW).

expert reply by: Adam R