Is There A Bolt On Receiver Option For Blue Ox 15K Weight Distribution Shank?
Updated 12/29/2025 | Published 12/03/2025
Question:
I have a blue ox 15k hitch assembly. my shank is 2.5foot at truck, 2inch bar WITH holes 1.25inch on center and likely 3/4inch bolts. I am currently swapping out shanks and ball mounts to down to a 2inch ball for different trailers. Id like to be carrying less steel. The 15K weight distributing assembly is so heavy, I break it down between uses to lighten the load on my back. When I tow smaller trailers, Id like to just bolt my receiver onto the 2inch shank with the 1.25inch hole spacing or 2.5inch between mounting holes for the receiver. I would like the receiver option, rather than just bolting up a ball assembly to the shank as I need the extra few inches to clear the back of my camper. blue ox has a BX88417, but that looks like 1.5inch spacing with the 5/8inch pins or bolts
asked by: Jim
Expert Reply:
Hey Jim, thanks for reaching out. Blue Ox doesn’t make a receiver adapter that matches the hole pattern on your 15K weight-distribution shank. Your shank uses 1.25-inch on-center holes with 3/4-inch hardware, while the # BX88417 and similar accessories use 1.5-inch spacing with 5/8-inch pins, so nothing in their lineup will bolt directly to your existing WD shank. That’s why you’re not finding a clean “bolt-on receiver” option, the spacing and hardware simply don’t line up.
If you want to tow smaller trailers without hauling around the full 15K WD head, your practical options are to use a standard 2-inch drawbar in the truck’s receiver, or switch to a lighter shank that’s purpose-built with a welded 2-inch receiver tube. Unfortunately, there’s no adapter that will safely convert your heavy WD shank into a simple receiver mount. If you need help picking a lightweight setup that still gives you the clearance behind the camper, I can point you in the right direction.
About how much rise or drop would you say you need for the ball mount? How long do you need it to be?
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Replacement 2" Receiver for Curt Multi-Ball Adjustable Ball Mount
- Accessories and Parts
- Drop Hitch
- Trailer Hitch Ball Mount
- Receiver Tube
- CURT
more information >
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Jesse M.
12/29/2025
Hey Jim, did you get a chance to figure out the rise or drop and length you need for your lighter ball mount setup? Knowing what worked out could really help others trying to downsize from a heavy Blue Ox hitch.