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B&W Hitches RHXA2183 Receiver Reducer Sleeve 3 Inch to 2-1/2 Inch -- Solid Steel RV Towing Adapter

B&W Hitches RHXA2183 3-inch to 2-1/2-inch receiver reducer sleeve, solid steel hitch adapter for Class IV and V tow hitches
 
: $35.00
Part Number: RHXA2183
Manufacturer: B&W Hitches

Quantity in Stock :23

Availability: In Stock
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B&W Hitches 3" to 2-1/2" Reducer Solid Steel B&W Hitches RHXA2183 -- 3-Inch to 2-1/2-Inch Receiver Reducer Sleeve

Got a heavy-duty 3-inch receiver on your truck, motorhome, or fifth-wheel chassis and want to run a standard 2-1/2-inch shank accessory? The B&W Hitches RHXA2183 reducer sleeve drops right in so you can use your existing ball mounts, bike racks, cargo carriers, and sway control bars without buying a second hitch. No welding, no drilling -- just insert, pin, and go.

Use Your 3-Inch Hitch With Any 2-1/2-Inch Shank Accessory

Class IV and Class V hitches with a 3-inch receiver opening are common on heavy-duty pickups, dually trucks, large Class A motorhomes, and commercial tow vehicles. The problem is that most aftermarket ball mounts, hitch-mounted cargo carriers, bike racks, and tow bars are built around the more common 2-inch or 2-1/2-inch shank standard. The RHXA2183 bridges that gap cleanly.

B&W Hitches is best known for their Turnoverball gooseneck systems and Companion fifth-wheel hitches, but their line of receiver accessories -- including this reducer sleeve -- carries the same commitment to heavy-gauge American steel. At 3.05 lbs, this sleeve is built to handle real working loads, not just light-duty accessories.

Direct Drop-In Fit

Slides into any standard 3-inch receiver opening. Accepts any 2-1/2-inch square shank accessory without modification.

Solid Steel Construction

Heavy-gauge steel sleeve -- not cast or stamped -- handles the lateral and vertical loads typical of Class IV and V towing applications.

Standard Pin Retention

Aligns with the receiver's existing hitch pin hole so your standard 5/8-inch hitch pin and clip secure both the sleeve and the inserted accessory shank.

Compact Profile

At 5.75 inches long and 2.5 x 2.5 inches in cross section, the sleeve adds minimal protrusion beyond the receiver face.

What This Reducer Does -- and Does Not -- Do

The RHXA2183 reduces the receiver opening from 3 inches down to 2-1/2 inches. This lets you use accessories with a 2-1/2-inch square shank in a 3-inch receiver. It does not reduce down to the more common 2-inch shank size -- for a 3-inch to 2-inch reduction, you would need a different sleeve. If your accessory shank is 2-1/2 inches square, this is the correct part.

Common Uses for This Reducer Sleeve
  • Running a 2-1/2-inch shank ball mount in a heavy-duty 3-inch receiver hitch
  • Using a 2-1/2-inch shank weight distribution head assembly in a 3-inch receiver
  • Mounting 2-1/2-inch shank hitch-mounted cargo carriers or bike racks
  • Adapting tow bars (such as Blue Ox or Roadmaster) with 2-1/2-inch shanks to a 3-inch motor home receiver
  • Temporary or job-site use of 2-1/2-inch shank accessories on commercial or fleet vehicles with 3-inch hitches

Fitment -- Which Vehicles and Hitches Use a 3-Inch Receiver?

Three-inch receiver hitches are found on the following types of vehicles and applications:

  • Heavy-duty commercial trucks and chassis (Ford F-450/F-550, Ram 4500/5500, GMC/Chevy 4500/5500)
  • Class A motorhomes with factory or aftermarket 3-inch receivers (common on diesel pushers)
  • Large fifth-wheel haulers with supplemental 3-inch receiver hitches
  • Agricultural and construction equipment with receiver-style attachment points
  • Custom fabricated 3-inch receiver mounts on trailers and utility vehicles

If your receiver opening measures 3 inches square inside, this is the correct reducer for 2-1/2-inch accessories.

How to Confirm Your Receiver Size

Measure the inside dimension of the receiver tube opening (not the outside of the hitch). A 3-inch receiver measures approximately 3 inches square on the interior. A standard full-size truck receiver measures 2 inches, and a mid-size receiver measures 1-1/4 inches. If your inside measurement is 3 inches, you need this sleeve for 2-1/2-inch shank accessories.

Installation Notes

Installation is straightforward -- no tools are required beyond a standard hitch pin:

  • Slide the RHXA2183 fully into the 3-inch receiver tube until it seats flush
  • Align the cross-hole in the sleeve with the receiver's pin hole
  • Insert a standard 5/8-inch hitch pin through the receiver and sleeve
  • Secure with a clip or locking hitch pin (sold separately)
  • Insert your 2-1/2-inch shank accessory into the reducer and pin it in the normal fashion
Maintenance Tips
  • Apply a light coat of grease or anti-seize to the sleeve exterior before inserting into the receiver to prevent corrosion bonding
  • Remove the sleeve periodically and clean both the sleeve and receiver interior to prevent rust buildup
  • Inspect the sleeve and pin hole for wear or elongation if the sleeve is used frequently under heavy tongue weight loads
  • Store indoors or use a receiver cover when the sleeve is not in use to reduce corrosion exposure
Related B&W Hitch Accessories

B&W offers a full line of receiver accessories to complement this sleeve, including pintle hook adapters, receiver-mounted ball mounts, and their signature Turnoverball gooseneck systems. For 3-inch to 2-inch reductions or other configurations, check additional B&W reducer and adapter part numbers to confirm the correct fit for your shank size.

Physical Specifications

ManufacturerB&W Hitches
Part NumberRHXA2183
UPC843233004335
Overall Length5.75 inches
Width2.5 inches
Height2.5 inches
Weight3.05 lbs
ConstructionSolid steel

Receiver and Shank Compatibility

Receiver Opening (Outer)3 inches square (interior)
Accepts Shank Size2-1/2 inches square
Reduction Step3 inches to 2-1/2 inches
Hitch Pin Size5/8 inch (standard -- pin sold separately)
Typical Hitch ClassClass IV and Class V receivers

Compatible Vehicle Types

Heavy-Duty PickupsTrucks with factory or aftermarket 3-inch receivers (F-450, F-550, Ram 4500/5500, GMC/Chevy 4500/5500)
Class A MotorhomesDiesel pushers and gas coaches with 3-inch rear receivers
Commercial VehiclesFleet, agricultural, and construction vehicles with 3-inch receiver mounts
Custom ApplicationsAny fabricated or installed 3-inch receiver tube accepting a 2-1/2-inch shank accessory

What Is and Is Not Included

IncludedRHXA2183 reducer sleeve (1 piece)
Not IncludedHitch pin and clip (use standard 5/8-inch pin, sold separately)
Not IncludedBall mount, bike rack, or other shank accessory
Not IncludedAnti-seize lubricant or grease

Important Sizing Notes

Does NOT Reduce To2-inch shank -- use a different sleeve for 3-inch to 2-inch reduction
Does NOT FitStandard 2-inch receivers (this sleeve fits only 3-inch receivers)
Does NOT Fit1-1/4-inch receivers
Important Information -- Read Before Use
  • This reducer sleeve is sized for 3-inch receivers only. Installing it in a 2-inch receiver is not possible -- the sleeve will not fit.
  • This sleeve accepts 2-1/2-inch square shanks only. It will NOT tighten a 2-inch shank in a 3-inch receiver -- use the correct reducer for your shank size.
  • The tongue weight and towing capacity of any accessory used with this sleeve is limited by the lowest-rated component in the system -- the hitch, the sleeve, the ball mount, or the ball. Do not exceed the rating of any single component.
  • Always use a properly sized hitch pin and clip or locking pin. Failure to secure the sleeve and shank can result in loss of the accessory and trailer while in motion.
  • Inspect the sleeve and receiver for wear, cracking, or deformation before each use. A damaged sleeve must be replaced before towing.
  • Anti-seize or grease is strongly recommended on the sleeve exterior to prevent the sleeve from seizing inside the receiver tube over time.


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