Is greasing necessary for hitch?

[nickandmarilyn]

Just started with a new 3400 and new Reese 18K hitch and new to RVing. The Reese manual says you don't have to lube the skid plate if using those plastic lube plates. But it says to lube the internal pivot points with lithium grease every time you hitch up. Is this necessary every time...?
Thanks Nick

[exav8tr]

Nick, If it is I am about 10 months behind. Never mind, I have the Husky hitch and it doesn't mention greasing....

[bigmurf]

I pull my Reese apart once a year (if I feel like it) and grease the pin.

[bsmeaton]

"Every time you hitch up" has a lot of different meanings to a lot different styles of use - so a little common sense might apply. As vacationers, I lube mine before a trip - once, and then again each trip, even though I may hook up daily during vacation.

The lube plate takes care of the fricton of the plate, but does not address the pin. I lube the yoke on the pin with hitch grease, and spray lube on the inner pivot points of the jaw and the slide (if you have one).

Next to the hitch plate, the pin is the greatest wear point and will wear out those jaws fast if they are dry.

[TLightning]

quote:Originally posted by bsmeaton

"Every time you hitch up" has a lot of different meanings to a lot different styles of use - so a little common sense might apply. As vacationers, I lube mine before a trip - once, and then again each trip, even though I may hook up daily during vacation.

The lube plate takes care of the fricton of the plate, but does not address the pin. I lube the yoke on the pin with hitch grease, and spray lube on the inner pivot points of the jaw and the slide (if you have one).

Next to the hitch plate, the pin is the greatest wear point and will wear out those jaws fast if they are dry.

I do the same thing.

[ols1932]

Any time you are connecting metal against metal (not the lube plate) you should have a little grease. I always use a small amount of grease on my king pin where it fits into the jaws of the hitch. If I don't, I notice wear that I don't want.

Orv

[Steve and Brenda]

I use the Teflon lube plate on my hitch but it also has a zerk fitting to grease the jaw pivot point. Greased it maybe three times so far in as many years, follow your manual.

[exav8tr]

ok ok ok, what kind of grease should I be using????

[Waynem]

Slippery kind Phil, slippery kind.
I use the white lithium spray can. Works well and gets into the little nooks and crannies.

[exav8tr]

Thanks Wayne, will pick some up today....