Hitch Head bolts

[Bilcin]

I have a Draw Tite hitch head model 06622-099. I have to replace the bolts that attach the hitch head to the shank. How can I find out what size these bolts are? As in the pictures, 1 bolt has a "JH" on the bolt head and the other bolt had "JII" on the top. I went on Draw Tite website but could not locate the bolt sizes. Any suggestions? Thank you.

[LTDunltd]

Easiest way would the measure the diameter of the threaded part of the longest screw sticking out of the nut.
Most SAE (fractional) screws will be in 1/16ths. IE: 7/16, 1/2, 9/16...
The threaded part will be just under the 1/16th noted above.
Then you need to know the thread pitch. For SAE, it will be threads per inch.
Then the length of the screw. It's measured from under the head to the end.
Make sure you get at least a grade 5 screw.

[Jeffjeeptj]

The “JH” is the manufacturer of the bolt. The three “hash” marks evenly spaced on the head indicated this is a Grade 5 bolt. this Grade 5 IS Important Regarding strength and must be used.

As above poster stated, just measure the diameter of the threads sticking out from the nut. Based on Grade 5, this is a US bolt size (not metric)..

Another way is what is the distance across rhe flats on the bolt head. If the bolt head uses a 3/4” wrench size, it is a 1/2” diameter bolt.

Nominal bolt diameter times 1.5 is the standard for the distance across the flats (wrench size). A 5/8” bolt will be 15/16”. The hitch manual or website should indicate the bolt tightening torque. This is an important value too.

Please do not use pliers, vise grips, or channellocks.

Hope this helps

[MtBiker]

JH Is the manufacturer in Taiwan.
Jenn Her Enterprises.
The three lines on the head are the important part.
They call out the bolt as a grade 5.

[Bilcin]

Wow, great information! Thanks so much!!

[NMWildcat]

Just curious. Why do you need to replace the bolts?
The easiest thing to do is to remove the bolts and go to your local hardware store to find a replacement. Or a nuts,bolts, fastener store if you have one.
Be sure and replace the washers and lock nuts also.

[Bilcin]

The bolt with "JII" on the top of it is bent. If it is bent shouldn't it be replaced?

Originally Posted by NMWildcat

Just curious. Why do you need to replace the bolts?
The easiest thing to do is to remove the bolts and go to your local hardware store to find a replacement. Or a nuts,bolts, fastener store if you have one.
Be sure and replace the washers and lock nuts also.

[NMWildcat]

Didn't mean to imply anything, I was simply curious.

Originally Posted by Bilcin

The bolt with "JII" on the top of it is bent. If it is bent shouldn't it be replaced?

[Bilcin]

Sorry if you took that as a nasty reply, I am asking, if the bolt is bent, does it need replacement?

Originally Posted by NMWildcat

Didn't mean to imply anything, I was simply curious.

[tomkatb]

I would replace both. And use a decent torque wrench to install. Looks like they are a little “used”.

Easy to measure but, just removing one and carry it to a hardware store is easy.

[NMWildcat]

Originally Posted by Bilcin

Sorry if you took that as a nasty reply, I am asking, if the bolt is bent, does it need replacement?

No offense taken. Hard to reflect emotion/intention in text
Yes, I would replace all the fastening hardware. But I would be more concerned with why it bent. Accident, loose, incorrect setup? It has been a long time since I dealt with bumper hitches in depth, but I don't remember bent bolts being a common occurrence.
Let us know how your project goes, I'm sure we can all learn something.

[Bilcin]

Originally Posted by NMWildcat

No offense taken. Hard to reflect emotion/intention in text
Yes, I would replace all the fastening hardware. But I would be more concerned with why it bent. Accident, loose, incorrect setup? It has been a long time since I dealt with bumper hitches in depth, but I don't remember bent bolts being a common occurrence.
Let us know how your project goes, I'm sure we can all learn something.

I have to assume it was because I did not torque the bolts to proper spec. I pulled into a campground one day and after unhooking my trailer that bolt was loose. I tightened it but evidently it was not right enough and it is now bent.

[Bilcin]

Well I spoke to REESE the company that sells my hitch and shank. They sell a bolt replacement kit, $38 for 2 bolts, washers and nuts. I thought that price was ridiculous so I googled grade 5 bolts in the required size and found a company that sells bolts, washers and nuts for $17. Just replaced the bolts and I am back in business. Thanks for everyone's suggestions.

[Scrapper]

You could upgrade to a grade 8 bolt.
But if you need a offset bolt you can contact Wile E. Coyote at ACME Specialty Bolts.

[Bilcin]

[emoji1787][emoji1787] some pretty interesting styles of bolts they sell!

Originally Posted by Scrapper

You could upgrade to a grade 8 bolt.
But if you need a offset bolt you can contact Wile E. Coyote at ACME Specialty Bolts.