Can the Blue Ox Adjustable Hitch be Used for a Bike Rack?
Updated 10/30/2025 | Published 09/29/2025
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Question:
I see it says that its for flat towing only, but what if i needed to just lower a bike rack. What would be the difference there?
asked by: Weston C
Expert Reply:
Hey Weston!
The difference is that Blue Ox says to only use the Adapter # BLU28XR for flat towing. It sounds silly, but functionally this will hold a bike rack, we just have to go by what Blue Ox says because they have tested and approved it for different things. I will say that tow bars don't have as much tongue weight as bike racks do because tow bars are designed to pull a vehicle horizontally while bike racks put more vertical weight on the hitch receiver.
For an alternative I recommend going with the Gen-Y Shank # 325-GH-304, or the Patriot Hitches # PH38NR if you want something that physically moves the receiver up and down.
What bike rack are you using?
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Blue Ox Adjustable Drop Hitch Receiver Adapter - 2" Hitches - 8" Rise/Drop - 10,000 lbs
- Hitch Adapters
- High-Low Adapter
- Tow Bars
- Fits 2 Inch Hitch
- 8 Inch Rise/Drop
- 10000 lbs
- Blue Ox
more information >
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on Hitch Adapters
Jon G.
10/30/2025
Hey Weston, how did things go with lowering your bike rack using one of the alternative drop hitch adapters? Knowing what worked might help others trying to carry a rack safely with a similar setup.