Hitch lube?
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Cross-Country
Joined: Oct 2018
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Hitch lube?
We just got a new to us Salem Hemisphere 22RBHL with a Husky centerline weight distributing hitch. Should I put some grease in the ball? I used to years ago when I pulled bumper pull trailers. Not sure these days.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Moderator
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 6,508
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From: Sioux Falls Area
The husky centerline pivots on the ball, so you should lube it.
the sliding points at the end of the bar usually don’t get lube, so check the manual to verify
I like the design Of that hitch. The only complaint I’ve see with it is hooking it up when you aren’t perfectly straight to the Trailer can be a real chore. The anti sway part of the hitch make it hard to pivot the bar. The best solution I’ve seen for that is to hook it up without the bars, drive straight ahead then stop and hook them up.
looks like one heck of a good hitch though.
the sliding points at the end of the bar usually don’t get lube, so check the manual to verify
I like the design Of that hitch. The only complaint I’ve see with it is hooking it up when you aren’t perfectly straight to the Trailer can be a real chore. The anti sway part of the hitch make it hard to pivot the bar. The best solution I’ve seen for that is to hook it up without the bars, drive straight ahead then stop and hook them up.
looks like one heck of a good hitch though.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2022
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I have never put any lube on a hitch ball in 44 years of towing. I have purchased a new shiny hitch ball for $12 for pure aesthetics. I don't want to ruin a pair of pants.
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Moderator
Joined: Jul 2011
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From: Sioux Falls Area
that said, the forces involved with a WDH put a tremendous amount of force on the coupler and ball. If not lubed, wearing out the coupler latch is a real possibility. You need to lube the pivot points on must WDH anyway, so adding some to the ball at the same time is a no brainer to me. i ran mine without lube for a year or so and the wear on the WDH was tremendous, so now that always gets a good coat lube.
Regular trailers, I will lube for a long trip but rarely for a short one. A really heavy load I might lube also.
again, lube for the sake of the coupler - not the ball. The ball is easy to replace, the coupler not so much. The steel on the ball is usually harder than the coupler, so any wear that happens is likely going to be hard to see as it will be the coupler wearing and not likely the ball.
do what works for you, but there are good reasons to run a little lube.
i use camshaft break in lube. Easy convenient tube with a small pointed nozzle. A bottle will last a life time and it comes off easy with break clean.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2022
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Camshaft lube sounds like it is tailor made for that high pressure lubing task. That's what it does inside an engine. I do check the couplers for wear, and would lube if I needed to. I will gladly buy a new coupler if necessary also.
Moderator
Joined: Jul 2011
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From: Sioux Falls Area
Fair enough. But the pants I wear cost much less than having a new coupler welded on. That and I’m careful and I just take the hitch out right away and store it so that the kids don’t get into it.
the camshaft lube works really well imo. Very resistant to wash out and doesn’t collect much dust, which is a major consideration for me since I live on gravel. This was the major reason I was not lubing my WDH. I didn’t want to have to clean it every time I used it. But the amount of wear was very concerning. The camshaft lube has worked really well for me. Initially I tried it because I had an old tube just lying around doing nothing. But after using it for a while it is my go-to hitch lube.
the camshaft lube works really well imo. Very resistant to wash out and doesn’t collect much dust, which is a major consideration for me since I live on gravel. This was the major reason I was not lubing my WDH. I didn’t want to have to clean it every time I used it. But the amount of wear was very concerning. The camshaft lube has worked really well for me. Initially I tried it because I had an old tube just lying around doing nothing. But after using it for a while it is my go-to hitch lube.
Moderator
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 6,508
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From: Sioux Falls Area
Silicone spray is not an Extreme Pressure lubricant and is probably of very limited value on an equalizer hitch.
I’ve used PTFE dry lube spray on the cams of my Reese DC. It keeps the bars quiet for about 2 turns and then it is all done and will make noise again as bars slide over the cams. Reese says not to lube these points anyway, but the dry lube doesn’t seem to do much anyway.
I’ve used PTFE dry lube spray on the cams of my Reese DC. It keeps the bars quiet for about 2 turns and then it is all done and will make noise again as bars slide over the cams. Reese says not to lube these points anyway, but the dry lube doesn’t seem to do much anyway.
More Turbo
Joined: Feb 2022
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From: Texas
I use Equali-i-zer Brand lube on the hitch sprockets and hitch ball.
I go back and forth on lubing. Don't like the potential mess, but if it helps the coupler to last longer....especially on weight distribution hitches.
The Equilizer lube is easy to work with...good high pressure grease in convenient 4 oz tube.
I go back and forth on lubing. Don't like the potential mess, but if it helps the coupler to last longer....especially on weight distribution hitches.
The Equilizer lube is easy to work with...good high pressure grease in convenient 4 oz tube.
5th Wheeling
Joined: Jun 2022
Posts: 42
Likes: 7
I use Equali-i-zer Brand lube on the hitch sprockets and hitch ball.
I go back and forth on lubing. Don't like the potential mess, but if it helps the coupler to last longer....especially on weight distribution hitches.
The Equilizer lube is easy to work with...good high pressure grease in convenient 4 oz tube.
I go back and forth on lubing. Don't like the potential mess, but if it helps the coupler to last longer....especially on weight distribution hitches.
The Equilizer lube is easy to work with...good high pressure grease in convenient 4 oz tube.
i ll be making use of good advise. The rv place told me to use silicone spray. Directions for hitch were more to ur advise. Good day.
Hotshot
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 12,340
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From: SW VA
I always grease my *****. I don't do it to keep the ball from rusting. I do it to prevent wear on the coupler.
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