Cleaning the 5th wheel hitch

[Phermenter]

Hi there,

I've been adding lubricant to my 5th wheel hitch, and now I'm thinking I should probably do a cleaning before lubing it up again.

Question is, what did/do you use to clean the old lube off your hitch?

Mike

2004 Dodge 2500 with a Super 5th hitch
2005 Montana Mountaineer

[malexander]

I don't use any grease on mine. I use a "Slick Disc".

[Phermenter]

Thanks malexander,

But what about for the internal mechanisms?

Mike

[jbcason]

Some sort of solvent, then a real good power wash. Then re lube. A good spray lube on the general mechanism, and a high pressure grease on the jaws.

[rhagfo]

I tear mine down about every two years clean re-lube and reassemble checking for worn parts.

[KenBob]

I tear mine down about every two years clean re-lube and reassemble checking for worn parts.

+2. Going to dirty, sandy, wet areas can cause unseen problems. Keeps the hitch working smooth and its good to know how the hitch really works.

[theeyres]

Drove at least a 75,000 miles when full-timing and never gave it a second thought. I would squirt some heavy duty lubrication into the workings to keep is smooth and that's it. There is really nothing in there to worry about. Once it latches it just sits there. Why create worries where none are needed?

[malexander]

Thanks malexander,

But what about for the internal mechanisms?

Mike



:oNever really thought much about it.
I only use the trailer 2 weeks out of the year. The rest of the time, the hitch stays in my hangar out of the elements. But, I would think that a good spray lube of some sort would suffice, after a good power washing.

[Bushman512000]

I use brake cleaner and a do it Yourself car wash.. Check the springs every year found they will rust I had to replace 2 of them over the years.. I found them at a auto brake shop parts store...Nice to replace if clean then lube up with white grease again also every now and then I use some penetrating oil on the rollers as well and I always use the white slip disk as well Bushman:D

[mazboy123]

when in doubt spray some wd40 on it.:)

[Phermenter]

Thanks everyone. I think I might take the thing apart, to see just how it works cause now I'm curious. I'll clean it up as I go. White lithium and high temp grease will be reapplied. I also have a slip disk, and just bought a new one, as the old one has damage due to my poor attempts to connect the trailer!

Mike

[hankpage]

CLEAN THE HITCH????? That cruddy grease keeps it from rusting and also is a theft deterrent. You get that dirty old grease on your hands and it is like a dye pack that bank tellers use. The thief will have stained hands for a few days and be easier to catch. :eek: I use a disk mainly to take up some clearance and still grease out of habit. http://www.keystonerv.org/forums/picture.php?albumid=251&pictureid=1587 It can't hurt. And 50 million years from now a dinosaur may grow out of my hitch grease.

[Phermenter]

Thanks Hankpage. I too use a disk and grease. I was more concerned with the internal mechanical moving parts.

[pjhansman]

when in doubt spray some wd40 on it.:)

No problem as long as you remember that WD40 isn't a lubricant. In fact it's great for cleaning grease off things.