Can Grade 8 Bolts be Used in Place of Pins and Clips for Curt Adjustable Ball Mount # C45900

Question:

I am wondering if you can use grade 8 bolts on the adjustable ball head rather than the pins and clips or the locking pins that come with the hitch? The pin and clips offer no security and the locking pins are broken off very easily. There are a lot of thefts in my area and the locking pins are hit with a hammer or they use a pipe and steal your trailer. Would the grade 8 bolts work and be just as strong as the regular pins. I usually tow a 4K trailer. And occasionally a 10k trailer.

asked by: Nate F

Expert Reply:

Assuming you use appropriately sized grade 8 bolts for the Curt Channel Style Adjustable Ball Mount # C45900 there isn't a particular reason you couldn't them and some lock nuts in place of the included pins and clips. Even though the Grade 8 bolts will be strong enough for this application please just keep in mind that since you are modifying the ball mount it likely wouldn't be covered under warranty if anything were to happen.

This may have been the set you already looked at but we do also have the Curt Lock Set # C23556 that's designed for this type of ball mount. These are extremely durable locks that have been tested with the Adjustable Ball Mount # C45900 to ensure they maintain its weight capacity. One will be used to secure the ball mount to the hitch and the other will be used to lock the ball to the vertical adjustment channels.

I have included a short video review that you can check out as well.

expert reply by: Chris R