Installing a Curt Front Mount Hitch on a 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 with Factory Tow Hooks

Question:

I started installing the 31302 front hitch today. I have front tow hooks. I removed the front factory bolt from the underside of the frame at the forward attachment point. The frame is threaded on the inside of the frame rail so that the provided carriage bolt 1/2-13-x 2 1/2 L.G. cannot be fished through from the top. Can the original factory bolt be put back in from the bottom to attach the Bracket to the frame rail? The new provided bolts have very slightly different threading so one of them cannot be used. They go into the frame rail at the forward attachment point only a few threads and then stop.

asked by: William C

Expert Reply:

If you take a look at the video that I've linked of the Curt Front Mount Hitch # 31302 being installed on a 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe that also has tow hooks you'll see that the bolt you're referring to is reused. The provided 1/2 inch carriage bolt is fishwired using the bolt leader into the hole that is further back on the vehicle but not on the one that is removed.

So yes, reusing the hardware is exactly what you should do.

expert reply by: Charles S