This drop receiver is designed exclusively for use with a tow bar when flat towing (dinghy towing) a vehicle on all four wheels behind a motorhome. It is NOT designed for pulling a trailer. If you need an adjustable ball mount for trailer towing, that's a different product – call us and we'll point you to the right one.
Tow bars must operate in a level position to work safely. When you connect a tow bar between your motorhome's rear hitch receiver and the baseplate tabs on the front of your towed vehicle ("toad"), the tow bar arms need to be roughly horizontal. If they're angled sharply up or down, the towing geometry is wrong – this puts stress on the tow bar, the baseplate, and your hitch, and it affects tracking and braking of the towed vehicle.
The problem is that motorhome hitch receivers and towed vehicle baseplates are rarely at the exact same height. A Class A diesel pusher might have its hitch receiver 6-8 inches higher than the baseplate on a Jeep Wrangler. A Class C might ride higher in the rear when loaded with gear and water. That height difference is where the BX88340 comes in.
This adjustable drop receiver slides into your motorhome's existing 2" hitch receiver and provides a second 2" receiver opening at a lower (or higher) position – anywhere from 0" to 8" of adjustment in 1-inch increments. Your tow bar plugs into this second receiver at the correct height, and the tow bar stays level.8" Rise/Drop10,000 lbsAnti-Rattle
1-inch increments, drop or rise
Built-in – reduces vibration & noise
Class III capacity, solid steel
Manufactured in Pender, Nebraska
The BX88340 is a two-piece design: a solid steel shank that slides into your motorhome's hitch receiver, and an adjustable receiver section that slides up or down on the shank. Multiple pin holes on the shank let you set the receiver at the exact height you need. Each hole changes the height by 1 inch, giving you fine control over the final position.
To determine how much drop (or rise) you need: 1. Park the motorhome and towed vehicle on level ground, both at their normal ride height (motorhome loaded as you'd travel – full fuel, water, gear) 2. Measure the height from the ground to the center of the motorhome's hitch receiver opening 3. Measure the height from the ground to the center of the baseplate attachment tabs on the front of the towed vehicle 4. The difference between those two measurements is your drop (or rise) amount Key rule from Blue Ox: The receiver end of the tow bar should never be more than 3 inches higher than the baseplate attachment points. Ideally, the tow bar should be perfectly level or angled very slightly downward from the motorhome to the toad. A small amount of angle is acceptable, but never steep. Example: If your motorhome receiver center is 22" from the ground and your toad's baseplate tabs are 16" from the ground, you need about 6" of drop. Set the BX88340 at the 6" position.
• Flat towing only – this product is designed for use with a tow bar. Do NOT use it to pull a trailer • Do not exceed 10,000 lbs – this is the total towing weight rating. Your towed vehicle's GVWR must be within this limit • Tow bar must be level – the receiver end of the tow bar should be at the same height as or no more than 3" above the baseplate attachment points • Always use all pins and clips – never operate with pins missing. The lynch pin ring should snap back onto itself with the chamfered side facing outward • Tighten the set screw – this eliminates play and prevents rattling. Check it periodically during your trip • Check your hitch receiver rating – the drop receiver is rated for 10,000 lbs, but your motorhome's hitch receiver must also be rated for at least that capacity • Do not back up – as with all tow bar setups, do not attempt to back up with the towed vehicle attached. Tow bars are designed for forward motion only
You need an adjustable drop receiver if:
The BX88340 accepts any Blue Ox tow bar with a 2" receiver connection, including: • Blue Ox Avail (BX7420) – 10,000 lbs, all-steel construction • Blue Ox Ascent (BX4370) – 7,500 lbs, aluminum construction • Blue Ox Alpha 2 (BX7380) – 6,500 lbs Also works with other manufacturers' tow bars that use a standard 2" × 2" receiver connection.
Blue Ox makes several drop receiver models. Here's how they compare:
Need a 2-1/2" receiver on a 2" shank drop? The Blue Ox BX88418 is an add-on 2-1/2" receiver that works with the BX88340, BX88352, and BX88379 drop receivers.
While this product is designed and rated for flat towing, the 2" receiver opening will physically accept any standard 2" hitch-mounted accessory – ball mounts, pintle hooks, cargo carriers, bike racks, etc. Keep in mind: • The 10,000 lb rating applies to flat towing only • For hitch-mounted accessories (bike racks, cargo carriers), the drop receiver adds length and leverage to the hitch setup, which may reduce effective weight capacity depending on your hitch receiver's tongue weight rating • Blue Ox's primary intended use is flat towing – if you're mainly looking for an adjustable ball mount for trailer towing, we carry purpose-built adjustable ball mounts that are designed and rated specifically for that application
• 1 × BX88340 Adjustable Drop Receiver Assembly (shank + adjustable receiver section) • 1 × 5/8" × 3" hitch pin with clip (for motorhome hitch receiver) • 2 × 5/8" × 3-1/2" hitch pins with lynch pins (for adjustable receiver section) • Built-in anti-rattle set screws (pre-installed) • Installation instructions
Backed by Blue Ox's 1-Year Limited Warranty. Blue Ox is manufactured by Automatic Equipment Mfg. Co. in Pender, Nebraska and has been a leader in the towing industry since 1991. They maintain a network of 1,000+ trained and certified dealers nationwide.
No tools required for basic setup – the pins insert by hand. You'll need a wrench or socket to tighten the anti-rattle set screws. Always measure with the motorhome loaded – the ride height changes significantly when you add water, fuel, passengers, and cargo. Measure for your drop receiver with the motorhome in travel-ready condition. Check height at each destination – if you dump your tanks or shift cargo, the motorhome's ride height can change. Re-check the drop receiver position if something feels different. Pre-trip check: Before each trip, verify all three pins are in place and secured with their clips/lynch pins, and confirm the set screws are snug.
Check your hitch receiver size: This product requires a 2" × 2" hitch receiver on your motorhome. If your motorhome has a 2-1/2" receiver, you need the Blue Ox BX88352 instead. Check your tow bar receiver size: Your tow bar's receiver end must also be 2" × 2" to fit the BX88340's receiver opening. Most Blue Ox and Roadmaster tow bars are available in 2" versions. Check your height difference: The BX88340 provides up to 8" of drop or rise. If you need more than 8" of adjustment, you may need to address the height difference at the baseplate end or consider a different hitch receiver mounting position. Not sure what you need? Call us with your motorhome make/model and towed vehicle make/model, and we'll help you figure out the right drop receiver and height setting.
Blue Ox BX88379: Adjustable Drop/Rise Receiver – 4" range, 2" receiver, 10,000 lbs. Choose this if you only need a small height correction and want a more compact unit. Blue Ox BX88352: Adjustable Drop/Rise Receiver – 8" range, 2-1/2" receiver/shank, 15,000 lbs. For motorhomes with a 2-1/2" hitch receiver and heavier towed vehicles. Blue Ox BX88418: 2-1/2" Receiver Add-On. Swaps the 2" receiver opening on the BX88340 (or BX88379, BX88352) for a 2-1/2" receiver opening. Use this if your tow bar has a 2-1/2" receiver end. Blue Ox Tow Bars: Avail (BX7420), Ascent (BX4370), Alpha 2 (BX7380) – all available with 2" receiver connections. Blue Ox Patriot Brake System: Proportional braking system for your towed vehicle – required by most states when flat towing. Blue Ox Baseplates: Vehicle-specific mounting brackets for the towed vehicle. We carry the full line – search by vehicle year/make/model. Towed Vehicle Wiring Kits: Connects your toad's brake lights and turn signals to the motorhome's lighting system – legally required in all states.
Setting up a flat tow system from scratch? Here's what you need: ✅ Baseplate on the towed vehicle (vehicle-specific) ✅ Tow bar to connect the vehicles ✅ Drop receiver (this product) if height adjustment is needed ✅ Supplemental braking system for the towed vehicle ✅ Wiring kit for brake lights/turn signals ✅ Safety cables (usually included with tow bar) ✅ Tow bar cover (protects the tow bar when not in use) Not sure where to start? Call us – we've helped thousands of RVers set up their flat tow systems and we can walk you through the whole process.
This same product works in both directions. Drop means the receiver opening is lower than the motorhome's hitch – this is the most common configuration since motorhome hitches tend to be higher than toad baseplates. Rise means the receiver opening is higher than the hitch – used when the toad's baseplate is higher than the motorhome's hitch (less common, but it happens with some lifted vehicles or lower-mounted motorhome hitches). To switch between drop and rise, simply flip the adjustable section on the shank.