Blue Ox / Hitch Help

BJR · 06-13-2018, 09:23 AM

Hi,
I have a Blue Ox BXW1008 between my 1500 and the 287BHSW. The (BHSW is underslung and has the same floorplan as the 28BHBE.) My lease is coming up and I'm considering a Silverado 2500HD and that may be a problem. The 2500 is probably 2" taller at the hitch and has the 2.5" shank receiver. I have "heard" the adapter in the receiver has some play so I'd like to avoid it. Blue Ox does not appear to have a drop receiver mount in 2.5" that has more drop than mine. (I only have one more hole to go down which is 1.25".)

So my questions
It looks like you can use this one with the Blue Ox:
https://www.amazon.com/Equal-i-zer-9...s=EQ90-02-4900

Has anyone done this? It will pull the trailer 1" closer to the truck but I don't believe that will be an issue.

Am I really going to hate the adapter sleeve slop or will I not even notice it?

Is there a 9-hole Blue Ox receiver hitch mount with a 2.5" shank?

Other guys with the same scenario, what did you do? I saw a post or two with peeps (camper_bob and SouthCo) who had the larger drop receiver mount but none with the 2.5" receiver/adapter.

Edit: Nearly answered my own question via search:
https://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/f...ima-56066.html

Looks like this will work.

TIA,
Bryan

snowgoer1998 · 06-13-2018, 01:30 PM

We recently went from a 2016 GMC 1500 CC 5'8" box 4x4 to a 2018 GMC 3500 CC 6'6" box 4x4

We are using the BXW1000 Sway Pro with the 2" - 7 hole

We are using the GMC standard issue 2-1/2" to 2" adapter pulling a 2018 Jay Flight 29BHDB

I thought about getting the 2-1/2" hitch that Bue Ox sells, but I decided to try what we have first with the adapter...

Based on how the trailer has towed, I don't see a reason to get the 2-1/2" hitch...we're going to stick with just using the 2-1/2" to 2" reducer for now...I can't see spending the money when what I've got works fine and I have no issues with it.

(EDIT)

Trailer and truck both sit nice and level

BJR · 06-13-2018, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snowgoer1998

We recently went from a 2016 GMC 1500 CC 5'8" box 4x4 to a 2018 GMC 3500 CC 6'6" box 4x4

We are using the BXW1000 Sway Pro with the 2" - 7 hole

We are using the GMC standard issue 2-1/2" to 2" adapter pulling a 2018 Jay Flight 29BHDB

I thought about getting the 2-1/2" hitch that Bue Ox sells, but I decided to try what we have first with the adapter...

Based on how the trailer has towed, I don't see a reason to get the 2-1/2" hitch...we're going to stick with just using the 2-1/2" to 2" reducer for now...I can't see spending the money when what I've got works fine and I have no issues with it.

(EDIT)

Trailer and truck both sit nice and level

Thank you - your situation is perfect. Did you adjust your hitch at all after getting the new truck?

I guess I will wait until I can hook up the truck before worrying about it.

12ptdroptine · 06-13-2018, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BJR

Hi,
I have a Blue Ox BXW1008 between my 1500 and the 287BHSW. The (BHSW is underslung and has the same floorplan as the 28BHBE.) My lease is coming up and I'm considering a Silverado 2500HD and that may be a problem. The 2500 is probably 2" taller at the hitch and has the 2.5" shank receiver. I have "heard" the adapter in the receiver has some play so I'd like to avoid it. Blue Ox does not appear to have a drop receiver mount in 2.5" that has more drop than mine. (I only have one more hole to go down which is 1.25".)

So my questions
It looks like you can use this one with the Blue Ox:
https://www.amazon.com/Equal-i-zer-9...s=EQ90-02-4900

Has anyone done this? It will pull the trailer 1" closer to the truck but I don't believe that will be an issue.

Am I really going to hate the adapter sleeve slop or will I not even notice it?

Is there a 9-hole Blue Ox receiver hitch mount with a 2.5" shank?

Other guys with the same scenario, what did you do? I saw a post or two with peeps (camper_bob and SouthCo) who had the larger drop receiver mount but none with the 2.5" receiver/adapter.

Edit: Nearly answered my own question via search:
https://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/f...ima-56066.html

Looks like this will work.

TIA,
Bryan

I disliked my adaptor sleve. WAY to much movement. I have an Equalizer hitch. And got the 2&1/2" hitch shank. So much better. Not even near the movement.

snowgoer1998 · 06-13-2018, 08:29 PM

It's possible not all adapter sleeves are the same...ours is a nice tight fit...no slop

In answer to the readjustment required...yes, I did have to 'flip' the receiver hitch. It was pointing up with the 1500, now I have it with the extension pointing down with the 3500

Took about an hour to take apart and reassemble...just do it on a nice flat piece of ground. Blue Ox has a setup instruction

BJR · 06-14-2018, 07:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snowgoer1998

It's possible not all adapter sleeves are the same...ours is a nice tight fit...no slop

In answer to the readjustment required...yes, I did have to 'flip' the receiver hitch. It was pointing up with the 1500, now I have it with the extension pointing down with the 3500

Took about an hour to take apart and reassemble...just do it on a nice flat piece of ground. Blue Ox has a setup instruction

So that may be the difference. Mine is already pointed down and I only have one more hole available. Do you remember how many holes you moved down? I bet it was 3.

Camper_bob · 06-14-2018, 07:56 AM

With as much pressure as you're putting on that shank, any slop should be taken up. If you leave the head in the receiver un-hitched just driving around, there will be slop, and that is super annoying. I always just removed the head from the truck before we went anywhere.

I used the sleeve the entire time I owned that truck/trailer, and never had a problem or even an indication of a potential problem.

Sure, it would be nice to have had the 2.5" on the shank, but Blue Ox said what I had was fine, and there was nothing I could find in writing in any manual to contradict that, so I ran with it.

Call Blue Ox and ask about using a different shank (SOB). They were always SUPER helpful when I called them. But I also wasn't able to find a whole lot of options with 2.5" in the drop I needed. It was also important for me to be able to open the tailgate while hitched, so that narrowed my options even further.

BJR · 06-14-2018, 08:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Camper_bob

Call Blue Ox and ask about using a different shank (SOB). They were always SUPER helpful when I called them. But I also wasn't able to find a whole lot of options with 2.5" in the drop I needed. It was also important for me to be able to open the tailgate while hitched, so that narrowed my options even further.

Thank you and everyone for your insights.

I reached out to Blue Ox and unfortunately they don't have a 2.5" shank hitch that drops any farther than the one I have. If I have to buy a new one for the drop, anyway, I'd might as well get the 2.5 from another OEM.

snowgoer1998 · 06-14-2018, 08:36 AM

I don't have a picture of the hitch setup on the 3500, but have included one of the setup on the 1500. I think we're using different distribution shanks...it looks like you have a 6-hole, where I have a 7-hole.

In any case, I'd keep what you have and drop to the lowest holes to at least try it before spending the money.

Camper_bob · 06-14-2018, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BJR

Thank you and everyone for your insights.

I reached out to Blue Ox and unfortunately they don't have a 2.5" shank hitch that drops any farther than the one I have. If I have to buy a new one for the drop, anyway, I'd might as well get the 2.5 from another OEM.

Did you ask or did they mention any potential problems with other manufacturer's shanks? Like hole spacing or anything?

I got tired of trying to fit a square peg in a round hole. My requirements were so incredibly narrow that it was REALLY difficult to find something that would work. In the end Blue Ox traded me the shank that came with the hitch for one that met all of my specifications EXCEPT the 2.5", even steven. They even sent me a label and paid to have the short one sent back.

So, it worked out, and I was glad not to have to drop more coin on another shank.

BJR · 06-14-2018, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Camper_bob

Did you ask or did they mention any potential problems with other manufacturer's shanks? Like hole spacing or anything?

There was a Q&A on eTrailer that said that the shanks are interchangeable between the OEMs. This is a similar one:
https://www.etrailer.com/question-26199.html

The spacing is the same at 1.25".

BJR · 06-14-2018, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Camper_bob

I got tired of trying to fit a square peg in a round hole. My requirements were so incredibly narrow that it was REALLY difficult to find something that would work. In the end Blue Ox traded me the shank that came with the hitch for one that met all of my specifications EXCEPT the 2.5", even steven. They even sent me a label and paid to have the short one sent back.

Did you get the nine-hole one for your Dodge?

Camper_bob · 06-14-2018, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BJR

Did you get the nine-hole one for your Dodge?

Geesh, I can't remember ... I think I ended up with the 11-hole?

It's in the garage at the house, if I remember I'll count them.

BJR · 06-14-2018, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Camper_bob

Geesh, I can't remember ... I think I ended up with the 11-hole?

It's in the garage at the house, if I remember I'll count them.

Thanks. It looks like the overall height difference between these trucks is 4.25. That means I would need the 11-hole, too.

12ptdroptine · 06-14-2018, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Camper_bob

With as much pressure as you're putting on that shank, any slop should be taken up. If you leave the head in the receiver un-hitched just driving around, there will be slop, and that is super annoying. I always just removed the head from the truck before we went anywhere.

I used the sleeve the entire time I owned that truck/trailer, and never had a problem or even an indication of a potential problem.

Sure, it would be nice to have had the 2.5" on the shank, but Blue Ox said what I had was fine, and there was nothing I could find in writing in any manual to contradict that, so I ran with it.

Call Blue Ox and ask about using a different shank (SOB). They were always SUPER helpful when I called them. But I also wasn't able to find a whole lot of options with 2.5" in the drop I needed. It was also important for me to be able to open the tailgate while hitched, so that narrowed my options even further.

For me the "slop" problem is aboit what happens in an "out of control" incident...wreck? Whipping? Road hazards... Bumps?Thats when that couple inches of slop can add to the dangerous situation. Thats why I went the way I did.
Drop

BJR · 06-15-2018, 06:36 AM

Update:

I emailed Blue Ox again for a recommendation but haven't heard back, yet. I called etrailer.com and spoke to someone who helped with measurements to determine my drop requirement. She said to measure to the top of the receiver opening and the height of the coupler on the camper. The difference is the drop you need. She recommended the 9-hole Blue Ox shank.

After we hung up, I watched a UHaul video on Youtube that said to measure to the bottom of the coupler - I realized my measurement was wrong because I measured to the top like when you're setting up the hitch. I ordered the Reese Titan Shank from etrailer. It was the cheapest, is 2.5" shank, had the drop I needed, and one of the higher tongue weight capacities.

I will report back with results.

Camper_bob · 06-18-2018, 07:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 12ptdroptine

For me the "slop" problem is aboit what happens in an "out of control" incident...wreck? Whipping? Road hazards... Bumps?Thats when that couple inches of slop can add to the dangerous situation. Thats why I went the way I did.
Drop

"A couple inches of slop" is a whole different discussion.

With my shank inserted inside the reducer sleeve and the whole works inserted into the receiver in the truck, I had enough "slop" to make noise only when unloaded, and that's about it. Even extrapolated out to the ball, there was less than one inch of movement in the setup. I would likely have gotten the same movement out of a 2.5" shank in that receiver.

Having been through some pretty hairy situations with that setup (quick stops, cross-winds, abrupt maneuvering, etc), I never had problems. But then I never was in a "new undies" situation, thankfully.

BJR · 06-21-2018, 06:31 PM

Progress update. I installed the new shank at about an inch below where it was. I might hook it up this weekend to adjust and measure the camper level.

More to come.

FashaPa · 06-22-2018, 03:31 PM

You may also need to change out your bars due to the truck upgrade. I read somewhere that the bars for the 3/4ton and up are just sway control.
I also have the Blue OX set up[ and love it!!

BJR · 06-22-2018, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FashaPa

You may also need to change out your bars due to the truck upgrade. I read somewhere that the bars for the 3/4ton and up are just sway control.
I also have the Blue OX set up[ and love it!!

The WDH is optional for the 2500 at my trailer weight so you could say that they are. They don't have different bars other than the different tongue weights.

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