Lubrication for 5ver receiver hitch plate - RV-Dreams Community Forum

Janeen · RV-Dreams Family Member

Lubrication for 5ver receiver hitch plate

Luvglass · RV-Dreams Family Member

A neater way is to buy a teflon spacer disk that goes between the pin and hitch plate. You can get them in any RV store.

Janeen · RV-Dreams Family Member

Does that keep it turning smoothly? Right now when we make turns it makes a popping/ticking noise that makes me nervous.

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

I have to agree with Fred. When we bought our 26 foot Rockwood fiver, it was recommended that we get the teflon disk. It has worked fine for us. What I don't know is whether or not the disks are recommended on trailers over a certain size or weight.

If you decide to go with actual lubrication on the fifth wheel, use a good heavy grease instead of an oil of some kind. Oil won't last as long as grease.

Also, keep in mind that if you use grease, you will have grease on both the actual fifth wheel in the pickup/truck and on the pin plate on the trailer. You are then subject to getting grease on your clothes or whatever else comes in contact with the grease. Also, in the normal process of pulling and turning, some grease will work to the edges of the fifth wheel and pin plate. You can then end up with some in your pickup bed.

Terry

-- Edited by Terry and Jo on Wednesday 22nd of July 2009 07:24:17 AM

-- Edited by Terry and Jo on Wednesday 22nd of July 2009 07:25:00 AM

Luvglass · RV-Dreams Family Member

You really don't want to go the grease route, it's messy and you have to keep doing it. As far as weight goes, out trailer is almost 16,500# and there are no issues, the disc has been on over 3 years now.

Your popping/ticking may be a different issue. Whether or not you have grease on the hitch it shouldn't be popping. Your probably going to have to be back there looking while the rig turns to see what's causing the noise.

Try the disc.

Howard · Host

I'm with Fred on this one. The teflon disc was the first accessory we bought for our fifth wheel. Our fifth wheel is 18,000 pounds loaded and we've had the disc on for four years.

Janeen · RV-Dreams Family Member

Great! I will go get the teflon plate today. Now, it seems the previous owner of the truck used grease. Should I clean as much as possible of that off before using the plate?

Ken & Sarah · RV-Dreams Family Member

I would clean off as much as possible, but what remains may help the disc stay on the unit. The person we bought ours from three years ago said to watch them sometimes they will fall off, I haven't had that happen yet and we store our unit for the winter, but the teflon disc will work great for you.

Speedhitch · RV-Dreams Family Member

We have used the disc for years. Mine did fall off one time and the hitch made a wild noise when I was turning. I had no idea what was wrong but when I un-hitched it I could see what was making the noise. At no time would I grease my hitch.

dream reachers · RV-Dreams Family Member

I also agree with Fred. I have been using the teflon disc on my trailer [17,500] works good. It has fallen off a couple of times when I unhooked, so always check.

Janeen · RV-Dreams Family Member

We picked one up today along with a few other goodies. Better chucks, some kitchen gadgets, a coupling set for the dump hose and a Seal a Meal! I can't wait to get going. Our realtor says she can do online paperwork with electronic signatures now so no need to wait around until it sells. Oh Happy Day!!! Now we should be on the road in weeks and not months!!!