Hi. I just pinned my hitch back in after sitting all winter in the shed. Its a bit dry and squeaky. Is there anything i should do beside take a squirt can to it. I was thinking maybe take it apart and grease everything up. Any advice would be appreciated.

 

InsIdious,

I use WD-40 on pivoting parts, and spray-on White Lithium grease on bearing/sliding surfaces.

 

I am with you on the squirt can and or the grease and just check it all out overall. Goodluck,,,, Rick

 

I normally leave mine in year round since it stays nice and dry under the tonneau cover, however I do have it out right now because the wife wanted to haul a washer and dryer and my utility trailer is in the wet back field.
I've got the RBW single-pivot (gonna look into getting the double-pivot), so there aren't many lube points. I do plan on giving it a real close inspection at all the weld points and latching mechenism. This RBW has the single sliding bar that locks the kingpin in. I also plan on checking all of the mounting bolts for tightness.

 

That's the one in mine and I am on the second one,they are tough and I like them as I had the reese dual swivel and went back to this one as I like the pull from the side winds better even with the reese locked, I recently have been looking into the B&W goose and adapter to go with it for the fith wheel, but have been real happy with these RBW's for a number of years. Goodluck,,,Rick

 

I have thought about the dual-pivot just for the sake of hooking and unhooking, but I agree that it would seem that you would have less trailer sway with the hitch not being able to pivot side to side while towing. JMO

 

Thnx for the replies. You know what would be really cool, A designer cover that would latch onto the hitch and cover the docking area. Would help keep dirt and such from sticking there when unhooked from camper. I have looked around, but havent seen anything for sale like that. I might try to make one. I think all i would need would be to make a round plate 1 foot in diameter and weld a 5ver pin to it and go buy a walmart floor mat with the dodge emblem on it and cut that emblem out and glue to the plate.

 

Insidious, Such a cover is made. Look on the camping world website. Your original suggestion for lubricating your 5er hitch is a good method. Cleaning out the old grease and grit is the key. The dirt and grime in the air near roadways gets into everything, and we all know that oil/grease and dirt=a crude grinding compound. I use a moly spray into moving parts. The carrier evaporates leaving the dry moly to lubricate the parts. I will not use WD40 on anything that needs lubricated, it is not a lubricant it's a water displacement foumula. I once used it on ignition wiring to dry them out, the stuff caught fire from a stray crossover spark and ruined the wiring before I could put it out. I once used it on the works of an antique clock because I listened to some guys praises. The stuff drys to a gummy sticky film and really stopped the clock. It cost me $95 for a clock repairman to disassemble it, clean it, and reassemble it. Don't believe me, test it yourself. Spray WD40 on a metal part, put it away for a few weeks then check it for the sticky film.