Bolts and Socket Size Needed for Trailer Hitch Installation on 2009 Volkswagen Routan

Question:

Tools Required include 18mm, 15mm and 13mm sockets Step 1 says to remove 15mm and 18mm existing bolts Step 3 indicates to mount the hitch with the existing 10mm and 12mm bolts from step one Step 4 gives torque values for the 10mm and 12mm bolts. So, which is it? 15/18mm or 10/12mm? moreover... yes, I can whatever socket is needed to the bolts found, but if the values are confused in the installation, can I trust the torque values at all?? PS - your own mount instructions N36455 have the exact same bolt size mis-match, and yet gives different torque values.

asked by: Jim W

Expert Reply:

It was a typo and the 10mm and 12mm in the instructions should have been referred to as M10 and M12 bolts; the socket sizes are correct for installation of the Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver # 13364 or etrailer Trailer Hitch Receiver # e98854 on your 2009 Volkswagen Routan.

You can see this in the linked installation video I added of this hitch being put on an '09 Routan.

If you were referring to the bolts and torque values in the installation instructions of the Draw-Tite Hitch # 36455, these instructions do not have the same size mismatch, they do mention M10 and M12 bolts. You are correct the torque values are different, and that is because it is a different manufacturer; each hitch manufacturer comes up with their own torque values.

As for if you can trust the torque values at all, that is of course up to you in regards to if you can trust instructions with a typo or would like to go in a different direction, such as the Draw-Tite # 36455 (Class II) or # 75579 (Class III) which fit your '09 and the instructions do not include that typo.

expert reply by: Kyle S