Originally Posted by
Mark
I picked up a slightly used Mirage Curt 11493 hitch yesterday. I most likely will never tow with my Mirage. I have a nice rear hitch bike rack that I would like to be able to attach/use at times.
This is the attachment hardware that I have -
2 - 1.5" carriage bolts, nuts, & rectangular backing plates that go inside the car frame.
1 - U-bolt and 2 nuts.
This is what I am missing -
2 - 1.5" carriage bolts, nuts, & rectangular backing plates that go inside the car frame. Need 4 to attach hitch.
4- fish wires.
Fish wires - Home Depot & Walmart seems to sell those individually on line.
Carriage bolts & nuts - Those are a non-issue. I can pick those up at any hardware store.
Rectangular backing plates - Suggestions by anyone???
I couldn't find anything in a quick search. Unfortunately buying the hardware kit from Curt may be the best bet.
Actually, those may work, but it is hard to say just from a picture.
Originally Posted by
Mark
Plan A
If I could find an alternative backing plate for inside the frame, I would just buy the two missing carriage bolts/nuts and order the fish wires.
If you can find alternative backing plates, this may work.
Originally Posted by
Mark
Plan B
If I take off the rear bumper -
Just friggin' do it! Don't even bother otherwise, my opinion.
Do I still need the fish wires?
Would I be able to use the two existing carriage bolts/nuts/backing plates I have for the front holes, & could I use two normal 3/8" bolts for the rear ones?
Would I be able to reach the heads of the bolts with open end wrench on the two rear bolts?
I am hoping those of you that have taken the rear bumper off can help me out. I don't want to take the bumper off & later find out that I don't have the parts to complete the job.
Still need the fish wires? At least for the front two, I'd say yes. The rear two, maybe not with the bumper structure removed.
You would not want to use 2 normal 3/8 bolts in any event. That steel structure is thin, maybe 0.030" to 0.040". Although it is likely sandwiched/stacked in that area. You may rip through the material without a backing plate, and ... the backing plate has square holes for the carriage bolts so that the carriage bolts do not rotate once the torque is applied. You may not get good torque on a regular bolt (without a backing plate) as it may just spin and no way to hold the head from spinning in that location.
Originally Posted by
Mark
Plan C
Would be ordering a Curt hitch hardware kit from Camping World (approximately $30). Etrailer.com wants $68 for a Curt hardware kit. Hardware kits would include the fish wires.
The lack of two backing plates for inside the frame is my real hold up. Years ago, they welded a short metal rod on top of the heads of bolts for hitches. They were a bit more difficult to fish through the frame. I wish that I could find some type of carriage bolt backing plate (even if I had to cut it down to size).
If can reach the head of the bolts with a wrench (without the bumper on), I would consider going that route, too!
Thanks for any input on this!
Getting the hardware kit is your best bet. As is removing the bumper structure. The original carriage bolts (as I remember) have mushroom shaped heads. Even if you can reach them, you would have no way to grip them. Hence the value of the backing plates.
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