Installing Hitch On 2011 Chevrolet Volt When Frame Rail Weldnuts Are Missing

Updated 08/10/2015 | Published 08/08/2015

Question:

I purchased this item and found during the installation that my vehicle does not have any nuts welded into the frame. There are one inch holes in the unibody frame rail that would line up but thats all they are is just holes. Has anybody mentioned this before or am I just that lucky one?

asked by: Shawn L

Expert Reply:

I am not sure if I would label it lucky. I called my contact at Curt and they told me that they have some cases where the car manufacturer did not have the weldnuts on the frame rail. Please note that there will only be weldnuts on the passenger side and not on the driver side of the Volt to install the # C11221 trailer hitch.

There is a way you can install the hitch. You would need to go to your local hardware store and get a couple 7/16 inch x 1-3/4 inch long grade 8 carriage bolts, and nuts. You will then need a spacer that has a square hole for the carriage bolt but small enough to fit inside the frame rail. You only need them so the carriage bolt can fit in and when inside the frame rail would keep the bolt from spinning while being tightened. There should be some access holes and they may need to be opened up to be able to slip the hardware through for installation.

expert reply by: Jeffrey L