What are the Wire Installation Tools that come in the Parts Kit with Curt Trailer Hitch # C11181

Published 12/28/2010

Question:

The parts kit that came with the hitch includes half a dozen things that look like springs with long tails. There is no mention or illustration of these items in the installation instructions. What are they for?

asked by: Robert H

Expert Reply:

The springs with long tails that came with your Curt Trailer Hitch, item # C11181, are referred to as fishwires or bolt leaders. These are used to install bolts and washers inside of the trailer frame. The way they work is that you attach the bolt, and washer if needed, to the spring looking portion of the fishwire by threading the bolt into the spring and then using the tag end you fish the wire route the wire through an access hole large enough for the bolt and washer to fit through and through the installation hole in the vehicle frame.

We have a video on fishwiring hardware into a vehicle frame for you to review, see link.

If your vehicle has weld nuts factory installed inside the rear frame rail the fishwires will not be needed. Normally the fishwires are not needed, but on some vehicles the weld nuts are not installed at the factory.

We have a video installation of this hitch for you to review, which should help. This video features a vehicle with wed nuts in the frame from the factory. We also have a video on cleaning weld nuts before installation of the hitch that will come in handy if your vehicle is so equipped.

expert reply by: Robert G