Can Blue Ox Adjustable Drop Hitch Be Used to Tow Boat Trailer

Published 07/20/2025

Products Featured in This Question

Blue Ox Adjustable Drop Hitch Receiver Adapter - 2" Hitches - 4" Rise/Drop - 10,000 lbs

(167)

$273.48

2" Hitch Ball - 1" Diameter x 2-1/4" Long Shank - Chrome - 12,000 lbs

(3914)

$21.54

2-5/16" Hitch Ball - 1" Diameter x 2-1/4" Long Shank - Chrome - 10,000 lbs

(3914)

$25.41

Ball Mount 3/4" Rise or 2" Drop - 12-5/8" Long

(3886)

$32.60

Question:

Can I use this to tow my 5000 lbs boat behind a truck? lue Ox BX88379 4” Adjustable Rise/ Receiver, 10,000 lbs., 2inch Receiver

asked by: Ron S

Expert Reply:

Hey Ron, welcome back! The Blue Ox Adjustable Drop Hitch # BLU34TR is only for flat towing so it will not work with your boat trailer. What you can use instead is the Patriot Hitches 2" Adjustable Drop Hitch Adapter # PH38NR. This is fully adjustable with a max rise/drop of 11" and a 10,000 lb capacity just like the Blue Ox.

Any big trips with your boat coming up this summer?

expert reply by: Robin H

Patriot Hitches 2" Adjustable Drop Hitch Adapter
(click to enlarge)

Ron S.

7/20/2025

Hello, I was looking at Blue Ox BX88379 4” Adjustable Rise/ Receiver, 10,000 lbs., 2inch Receiver because of its length and weight capacity. The lake we go to has a gradual slope at the launch ramp requiring the tow car to have all 4 wheels in the water. The extension of 13.4 inches of this hitch would allow my tow vehicle to not have its front wheels in water. Do you have any recommendations? Also, is there any more detail as to why this particular hitch cannot be used for regular towing? What I tow is well within the weight capacity.

Robin H.

7/20/2025

@RonS I don't have any specifics but we have to follow what the manufacturer says and Blue Ox says it is only designated for flat towing. It probably has something to do with the different forces that will potentially be applied from a trailer vs a tow bar and vehicle. This is pretty common for high-low adapters across manufacturers. You can still make this setup work with the Patriot Hitches Adapter # PH38NR and an extended ball mount like # D-26. This is 12-5/8" long, plus you will have the length of the adapter. You will also need # 40038 for a 2" or # C40007 for a 2-5/16" ball.