2003 Toyota Echo Trailer Hitch - Bolts Are Spinning In The Frame What Can I Do?

Question:

Hi we have a 2003 Toyota Echo and the trailer hitch. The bolts are spinning and we are not able to take them out to attach the hitch. My husband says he cannot see any access to get to the back of the bolt nuts to remove them to get the hitch installed. Any insights on how we can get this hitch installed please? We had it on our old 2003 Echo with no issues but she just got totalled out by a deer. Thanks!

asked by: Cindy M

Expert Reply:

The bolts that come with the Curt hitch # C11289 that you mentioned go into weld nuts in the frame. If the bolts are spinning, this likely means the weld nuts have broken loose. This is not completely surprising for a 20 year old car. The frame rail is hollow, but I am not aware of any existing access point that would allow your to reach the back of the bolts. Even if you could get to them to remove the bolts, the weld nuts would have to be re attached to the inside of the frame in order to install the hitch. We are not aware of any way to do this without heavy modification which we cannot recommend.

expert reply by: Jesse M