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How many times can you torque bolts on a hitch?

Curly2001
Explorer
Explorer
I have a new Curt A 16 hitch that I have had to try and then adjust the height a few times to level out the trailer. Anyone know how many times you can torque the bolts that go into the hitch? They are only set for 100 ft.lbs. so it is not a real high number. Just looking for some thoughts.
Thanks,
Curly
2019 Chev. Double cab 2500HD, 6.0, 4:10 diffs, six speed auto
2013 Heartland Sundance XLT 265RK
27 REPLIES 27

Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Explorer III
Iโ€™m guessing 25k towing miles and towing 23-25k I have never torqued my bolts other than original assembly. Honestly have not thought about it. But with quality fasteners and a quality torque wrench itโ€™s not a big deal.
2015 RAM LongHorn 3500 Dually CrewCab 4X4 CUMMINS/AISIN RearAir 385HP/865TQ 4:10's
37,800# GCVWR "Towing Beast"

"HeavyWeight" B&W RVK3600

2016 MobileSuites 39TKSB3 highly "Elited" In the stable

2007.5 Mobile Suites 36 SB3 29,000# Combined SOLD

memtb
Explorer
Explorer
I have โ€œnotโ€ routinely torqued mine....as in never! Discovered in November, that I should have. No harm....just a few loose bolts, and one with no nut. Iโ€™ll monitor mor3 closely in the future! memtb
Todd & Marianne
Miniature Schnauzer's - Sundai, Nellie & Maggie Mae
2007 Dodge Ram 3500, 6.7 Cummins, 6 speed manual, 3.73 ratio, 4x4
2004 Teton Grand Freedom, 39'
2007 Bigfoot 30MH26Sl

Lightning55
Explorer
Explorer
I think bolts should be replaced only if the bolts have been tighten beyond the specified torque. If tightened beyond the setting, bolts can be stretched and fatigued. As long as they are not tightened beyond the specified settings they should be fine. On new assembly or construction of anything mechanical, re-torquing after break-in is a good idea, especially critical components.

Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Explorer III
MFL wrote:
Cummins12V98 wrote:
map guy, skinnyme said his 16k has 10.8 bolts, what standard thread bolt would that compare to?


google says 10.9 about equal to grade 8

Jerry


So grade 5 equivalent?

B&W uses Grade 8 bolts with locking washers, NO flat washers. They have 4 bolts each side compared to 2 each side on the CURT. I do believe the bolt diameter is a bit larger with the CURT???

2015 RAM LongHorn 3500 Dually CrewCab 4X4 CUMMINS/AISIN RearAir 385HP/865TQ 4:10's
37,800# GCVWR "Towing Beast"

"HeavyWeight" B&W RVK3600

2016 MobileSuites 39TKSB3 highly "Elited" In the stable

2007.5 Mobile Suites 36 SB3 29,000# Combined SOLD

mapguy
Explorer
Explorer
Looking at the hitch owners manual - you are stuck using metric hardware due to the construction of the hitch. Stay with a class 10.9 bolt. Do not lower the bolt class to 8.8.

I am not a fan of a bolt with a lock washer/flat washer stack such as how Curt has called out on the leg to main body connection. From experience -this combination won't stay torqued properly due to the movement forces in play during operation.

I would consider going to flange head bolts, eliminate the washers and use high strength thread locker to avoid the periodic re-torque of the bolts. This would depend on whether or not I could get a flange bolt with proper threaded/unthreaded dimensions that mimic the original bolt. The use of washers does reduce the potential to gall the finish but will require the periodic re-torque due to the potential for movement with a minor loosening of the bolt torque.

Using high strength thread locker will require heat to break the bond of the thread locker for disassembly or re-torque.

Hopefully the OP has a large enough torque wrench for the required torque. Proper torque values go a long way towards having an assembly stay assembled properly.

MFL
Nomad II
Nomad II
Cummins12V98 wrote:
map guy, skinnyme said his 16k has 10.8 bolts, what standard thread bolt would that compare to?


google says 10.9 about equal to grade 8

Jerry

Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Explorer III
map guy, skinnyme said his 16k has 10.8 bolts, what standard thread bolt would that compare to?
2015 RAM LongHorn 3500 Dually CrewCab 4X4 CUMMINS/AISIN RearAir 385HP/865TQ 4:10's
37,800# GCVWR "Towing Beast"

"HeavyWeight" B&W RVK3600

2016 MobileSuites 39TKSB3 highly "Elited" In the stable

2007.5 Mobile Suites 36 SB3 29,000# Combined SOLD

skinnyme
Explorer
Explorer
I have a Curt A-16 hitch. Bought it about a year ago. The bolts in question on my hitch are marked 10.8.

mapguy
Explorer
Explorer
Cummins12V98 wrote:
mapguy wrote:
Technically you can't buy a Grade 8 bolt in a metric size. I suggest you look for Class 8.8 minimum but think you would be better served with a Class 10.9 bolt. You probably will have to go to a real hardware store or a bolt supplier.

Belmetric is a quality online
business that has a wide range of metric bolts


So what grade would you compare the CURT bolt to?


Can't tell what the marking is on the bolt head in picture. IF 8.8 -this is a class 8.8 bolt. Class 10.9 would be marked "10.9".

Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Explorer III
Curly2001 wrote:
Gotta let the professional bolt guys compare and recommend replacements. These thread in a cast A arm that pins into the rails.
Curly


Take a bolt to a commercial bolt/hardware supplier and get a better grade.
2015 RAM LongHorn 3500 Dually CrewCab 4X4 CUMMINS/AISIN RearAir 385HP/865TQ 4:10's
37,800# GCVWR "Towing Beast"

"HeavyWeight" B&W RVK3600

2016 MobileSuites 39TKSB3 highly "Elited" In the stable

2007.5 Mobile Suites 36 SB3 29,000# Combined SOLD

Curly2001
Explorer
Explorer
Gotta let the professional bolt guys compare and recommend replacements. These thread in a cast A arm that pins into the rails.
Curly
2019 Chev. Double cab 2500HD, 6.0, 4:10 diffs, six speed auto
2013 Heartland Sundance XLT 265RK

Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Explorer III
mapguy wrote:
Technically you can't buy a Grade 8 bolt in a metric size. I suggest you look for Class 8.8 minimum but think you would be better served with a Class 10.9 bolt. You probably will have to go to a real hardware store or a bolt supplier.

Belmetric is a quality online
business that has a wide range of metric bolts


So what grade would you compare the CURT bolt to?
2015 RAM LongHorn 3500 Dually CrewCab 4X4 CUMMINS/AISIN RearAir 385HP/865TQ 4:10's
37,800# GCVWR "Towing Beast"

"HeavyWeight" B&W RVK3600

2016 MobileSuites 39TKSB3 highly "Elited" In the stable

2007.5 Mobile Suites 36 SB3 29,000# Combined SOLD

FlatBroke
Explorer
Explorer
Most bolts in an engine are torqued. The engine heats and cools thousands of times. How often do you re-torque those bolts?

Hitch Hiker
"08" 29.5 FKTG LS

Curly2001
Explorer
Explorer
Will go to the local nut and bolt shop where they specialize in hardware. Large industrial supplier here in town.
2019 Chev. Double cab 2500HD, 6.0, 4:10 diffs, six speed auto
2013 Heartland Sundance XLT 265RK