Lube plate or just grease'r down?

[The Sunflowers]

Bob, WD-40 isn't a lubricant. If you are using it to clean the hitch plate, I can understand that. But after you clean it you need something to act as a lubricant.

I've heard of people buying a spray can of white grease from NAPA parts stores. Actually, I need to pick some up myself!

[BillE]

Don't forget to lube the pin itself.

Bill

[8e3k0]

We use the teflon plate along with grease on the pin and jaws of the fifth wheel hitch. If the jaws are not lubed they can chew away on the pin and metal parts.

[kramperD]

For myself as OP, thanks for the lube info as well! All new to me, this forum really has helped us out!

[bobsals]

quote:Originally posted by The Sunflowers

Bob, WD-40 isn't a lubricant. If you are using it to clean the hitch plate, I can understand that. But after you clean it you need something to act as a lubricant.

I've heard of people buying a spray can of white grease from NAPA parts stores. Actually, I need to pick some up myself!

Yes, I do clean the plates with WD-40. Then just give the plate a good shot of it before I hitch up. I know it's not supposed to be a "lubricant", but it's better than dry, and it's better than grease which is very magnetic to dirt and clothing. Been towing with the same hitch and doing it the same way for over 6 years now and most of the paint is still on it.

[Art-n-Marge]

Yes on the nylon disc to lessen the mess. You can't completely avoid the grease since you need some on the indentation on the pin where it makes contact with the hitch head and with all the moving parts on the hitch head. Just think where metal on metal still occurs in hitch head and that where you put the grease. The comparatively inexpensive nylon disc helps the grease go a lot further since there would be a lot of grease needed if you didn't use it. The hitch head and base where the grease would still be needed are typically not in areas where you'd end up making contact with it.

Like a lot of others have agreed, you sure can't beat that nylon disc. It keeps the mess down A LOT.

[5 wheeling]

quote:Originally posted by 8e3k0

We use the teflon plate along with grease on the pin and jaws of the fifth wheel hitch. If the jaws are not lubed they can chew away on the pin and metal parts.

Exactly as noted above, I likewise use the teflon plate and heavily lube the king pin and hitch jaws. Oh, it's good to clean the king pin up before the next outing and regrease. Grime and dirt will adhere itself to the king pin and hitch jaws reducing the effectiveness of the lubricant.