Bay window rear bumper mount torque

[deschutestrout]

Hey, I've installed a hitch which sandwiches between stock bumper and frame on my '78. Is there a torque spec or do I just tighten the bastards? Thanks to Westy78 (and IBFwax) for the hitch! Gonna work great for towin' a 'lil trailer. MORE STUFF TO CAMP WITH!

[tristessa]

"Tight but not *too* tight" isn't a spec?

[Xelmon]

"Till it strips out, then back it out half a turn"

Honestly a set of nylocks and... Well, how thick is the metal? What kind of bolts do you have?
I could probably spec it for you if you give me some figures, like what you're towing and such. :P

[hambone]

Bumper bolt tight, I'll bet you already know the torque.

[drober23]

The torque may not be the most important consideration here. Too tight, and you could break the weld between the captive nut in there and the frame. I've never had a bumper bolt back out on me, so I don't know how loose is too loose.

The shear strength of the bolt is probably more important, as it will have to hold the the weight of whatever the hitch is attached to.

Just my 2 cents.

[deschutestrout]

thanks didn't break anything. couldn't find my bentley, but haynes said 25lb ... my guesstimate torque job was about 1/4 turn over 25 ... so looks like i did good. now we'll see if hammy arrives at the next campout with all the stuff my dropped trailer scattered all over the road

[hambone]

Free camp gear!