Using drop receiver upside down???

[smlranger]

I've installed a Blue Ox baseplate on my '04 Ford Explorer 4 x 4. The tabs on the baseplate are much higher than on my Ford Focus. I have a 4" drop receiver...I'm planning to use that 'upside down' to raise the tow bar. I can't see why that would not work but is anyone else doing that?

[smlranger]

I've installed a Blue Ox baseplate on my '04 Ford Explorer 4 x 4. The tabs on the baseplate are much higher than on my Ford Focus. I have a 4" drop receiver...I'm planning to use that 'upside down' to raise the tow bar. I can't see why that would not work but is anyone else doing that?

[doc]

Have not done this using a towbar, but have turned the insert over to get a taller hook-up point for a tall utility trailer. Works for me.

There will be someone on here to tell you that it is dangerous to do this because the insert was built to be used the other way etc. etc. etc.

[Gary RVRoamer]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content"> There will be someone on here to tell you that it is dangerous to do this because the insert was built to be used the other way </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

It won't be me! Ought to work just fine.

Yes, the welds on the "drop" are stressed in the opposite direction, but one should always keep an eye on these adapters for signs of stress cracks in the welds, no matter what position they are used in.

[losttj]

My lifted Jeep Wrangler is much higher than my receiver on my class C. I had to go with a 6" drop receiver used upside down to hook up my tow bar. Worked fine.

[vicsryd]

I needed a 4 inch drop upside down to be level for my RAV4. Howver, most towbars (specifically Blue Ox) are designed to operate up to 6 inches out of level on level ground so it wasn't really necessary. I'm just a stickler for playing it safe.

But, be aware that a receiver type vs. ball type drop-hitch de-rates the hitch capacity by 50%. If you have a Class V (8-10K lbs) hitch on a class A rated likewise then towing an Explorer (4300lbs empty) should be fine as long as your not loading it up like a trailer. However, if you're you have a Class IV hitch (5-8K lbs) then you in theory your beyond the rated capacity of the hitch.

[Bill R.]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">But, be aware that a receiver type vs. ball type drop-hitch de-rates the hitch capacity by 50%. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Please provide some details regarding this statement.
It just doesnt seem to be logical to me. I would not have thought it would be 50%, but would have guessed the scenerio would have been the other way around with the ball hith being the lower capacity.

[JManatee]

The drop receiver I bought said something like 2.5 inch rise or 1.5 inch drop so yes they should be able to be used both ways

[Captain Bud]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">But, be aware that a receiver type vs. ball type drop-hitch de-rates the hitch capacity by 50%. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
I would also like to hear a detailed explaination of this statement and where you got this info..