they are different

 

I've been looking for the answer, I've got 3 bolts I need to try, I will give them a try tomorrow after work and post up the results.

 

After doing a little digging, I found nissans installation manual on the hitch. They call the bolts M12. I am going to look into this further. I will let you know what I find out.

 

Well good luck trying to find it, I went to the Dealer and they told me that those bolts only come with the hitch. So I went to Home Depot and bought a couple of different variations of "M12" bolts they had there, that is what I'm going to try later today.

 

There are different pitches of M12 bolts (thread to thread distance). The 12 (12mm) is the major diameter of the thread (.472"). Some examples are M12 x 1.5 or M12 x 1.75. So the thread would have the same major diameter, but thread to thread distance changes a little bit. Be sure to get the correct size or you will have issues. Don't force a bolt if it goes a bit and stops. FYI - 1mm = .03937". Sorry this was so technical, but hope it helps.

 

just make sure you get a grade 8 bolt or a hardened bolt
they will be marked by 3 marks 120 degrees apart

 

rckev,

I don't normally correct people except on important issues.

Grade 8 bolts will have 6 marks. A grade 5 will have 3 marks. Here is a little discussion on bolts.

 

you're right tandem I should have been more clear about the three marks being a grade 5
still plenty strong for this purpose

 

SilverX

The bolts are12mm x 1.25 x 45mm Hex Flange Bolt. The 1.25 is thread pitch.

This is the size they sent me with my $135 hitch from etrailer.

 

The bolts are12mm x 1.25 x 45mm Hex Flange Bolt. The 1.25 is thread pitch.

This is the size they sent me with my $135 hitch from etrailer.

That clears up a few things.

As recently as a year ago Draw Tite and Hidden Valley, occasionally at least, shipped M12 X 1.5. Which would explain why several people were busting the capture nut welded inside the frame.

http://thenewx.org/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=3103

I received a 1.5 pitch with my Hidden Valley about a year ago. My son was helping me mount it and reefed the bolt in well past the hard resistance point. I had to tap it but at least caught it before he broke the weld holding the nut. Looks like they are shipping the correct bolts now haven’t seen a post about it lately.

 

Thanks TandemCyclist, I bought some the other day.