Is Red Loctite Required to Use Roadmaster Hitch Mounted Spare Tire Carrier RM-195225

Question:

Hi, I just received this item. I am undecided about whether to use the red loctite on the 3.5 inch hitch receiver mounting bolt. As you know the bolt does an excellent job of reducing rattle, which is probably very important with this heavy device. I see this bolt also has a hairpin clip, so is the optional red loctite intended to prevent rattle or loss of hitch during normal operation or is it a anti-thief suggestion? I typically only use blue loctite, but I also use your hitch locks in all my hitches. My situation is not for a spare tire, but for mounting a custom outboard motor mount plate to the 195225 for a 100 lb motor. The 195225 is great because I may need the mounted motor to pivot down to the ground so I could access my existing spare which is in a compartment on the rear of the RV. This means I may sometimes use the RV without the 195225 and would need to remove it. Not sure I want to heat the bolt to 550F that close to the gas tank. The threads you would need to heat are also recessed into the RVs hitch receiver. Not sure if it would be possible for someone to steal this combination as it would be 235 lbs. 195225, Roadmaster Nighthawk, outboard mount and $3200 Mercury 20hp Do you think an alternative would be to use a 1/2 inch shaft hitch lock and one of your anti-rattle devices? Or should I use blue loctite on the pin bolt and a separate security cable to the hitch somehow. I guess I just need to know what the manufacturers intent was with the re loctite. Thanks very much for any ideas.

asked by: Fred

Expert Reply:

It is not necessary to use red Loctite like # LT37420 on the hitch bolt of the Roadmaster Hitch Mounted Spare Tire Carrier # RM-195225. It is optional, like you mentioned, and the intent with the Loctite is simply added tightness at the connection and security since the bolt is anti-rattle and not locking.

What you can do instead is use Loctite Blue # LT37614 like you mentioned, and instead of the hairpin on the hitch bolt, use the RoadMaster Quick-Disconnect Padlock # RM-301.

expert reply by: Kyle S