[wegngis]

Just made a deal over the phone (Craigslist) to purchase a used Curt 13256, plus wiring kit, for $90. The only thing about it is he said he's leaving the bolts on his van. Who knows why.

Am I missing anything super critical by not getting the official install kit? I'd rather buy new bolts anyway since I don't like to torque metal bolts twice in this type of application. I figured I'd go down to the hardware store and get some case-hardened bolts anyway, along with any lock washers that might be necessary.

 

[brian_bp]

Just made a deal over the phone (Craigslist) to purchase a used Curt 13256, plus wiring kit, for $90. The only thing about it is he said he's leaving the bolts on his van. Who knows why.

Perhaps the seller is keeping the bolts in, even without a hitch receiver, to fill the threaded inserts to prevent corrosion and keep the dirt out. I would.

Am I missing anything super critical by not getting the official install kit?

Official install kit? Is there one? It would just be the six bolts and washers.

I'd rather buy new bolts anyway since I don't like to torque metal bolts twice in this type of application. I figured I'd go down to the hardware store and get some case-hardened bolts anyway, along with any lock washers that might be necessary.

I have no problem with the idea of new bolts, but I don't expect that anything that can be found in a hardware store would even be as good as the stock bolts Toyota uses to put the Sienna together, let alone better. I would be more comfortable with re-using the original bolts than using new stuff from a hardware store, as long as the used ones were not visibly damaged. I realize that is not an option in this case, since the used ones are not available. Also, the hitch is not a Toyota part, so the bolts may not meet typical Toyota standards.

I don't think "case hardened" is the term which is intended here, although more "hard" than the lowest grade of bolts would be desired. Harder bolts - a "higher" grade - than the basic hardware store stuff are probably appropriate, but too hard is not good and the Toyota hardware would be a suitable grade. At a guess, I would expect the OEM bolts to be ISO graded 10.9 (similar to SAE Grade 8 ) or higher, while basic hardware store stuff is typically 8.8 (similar to SAE Grade 5) and likely unsuitable.

If a dealer were to sell the bolts that come with the OEM hitch (which is supplied by Reese) at a trade price, or maybe even at MSRP (instead of the usual inflated-even-above-MSRP), my guess is that they would still be much more expensive than a near equivalent from a bolt store, but not so much money that it is worth the time to hunt for the generic replacement. If anyone knows the prices (of OEM from Toyota, OEM for the hitch from a hitch supply source, hardware store junk, and good non-OEM bolts from a hardware store or fastener supplier), I would be interested in hearing them.

 

[brian_bp]

I just looked at the photos from eTrailer, and the bolts supplied with the Curt hitch do not look like nice stuff at all... perhaps the hardware store is a perfectly equivalent source! I see that Cequent (Hidden Hitch / Reese / Draw-Tite), Curt, and Valley all use different bolts (different finishes) and different washer configurations. They are all doing the same job, so I don't see any reason to stick with exactly what Curt supplies.

 

[wegngis]

Yes, the bolts at eTrailer do seem to be rather cheap looking. I just wonder if they have one of those notices somewhere on the site that basically says "pictures may not be representative of actual product." I'd feel more comfortable going with the SAE Grade 8 like you said.

What about lock washers? The last hitch I installed had a couple of heavy-duty lock washers on the main weight bearing bolts.

 

[brian_bp]

With both the Sienna and the other vehicles I have owned, I don't see very many - if any - lock washers used on the vehicle from the factory, and the parts are not falling off. I don't think the basic split-style lock washer does anything until the bolt has already started to loosen, and I'm not sold on them at all.

 

[robo5]

I found an old PDF. It is for an 2004 but shows that the OEM did have lock washers. It does not show the "grade" of bolt used. ???
Now not to get off topic but I think it applies here . I would run a tap through the mounting holes to clean them up before installing the hitch. It makes it so easy. . Do not use any air tools.

 

[wegngis]

I would run a tap through the mounting holes to clean them up before installing the hitch. It makes it so easy. . Do not use any air tools.

Sounds like a plan. I typically use a torque wrench to get to the desired tightness, hopefully I can find that number. I can't review your PDF at the moment as I'm heading out the door. If anyone knows, please share.

 

[robo5]

70 lbf ft

Is the PDF OK? Works on my end.

 

[wegngis]

Yes it works fine, I was just jetting out the door as I hurriedly typed my last message. Much appreciated!

 

[jh818]

I would call up Curt and order replacement hardware for that hitch.