5th Wheel Hitch a Maintenance Question.

[Jmsx2]

Hi Gang. We have a new Reese 16k Slider Hitch. How do you maintain yours. Types of lubricants, lubricating locations and how often.

Thanks.

[M109Rrider]

I spray all the moving parts with a spray lube on occasion...thats about it. If you don't use a lube plate between the pinbox and hitch plate, I recommend it.

[Jmsx2]

Originally Posted by M109Rrider

I spray all the moving parts with a spray lube on occasion...thats about it. If you don't use a lube plate between the pinbox and hitch plate, I recommend it.

We took her straight to storage when we took delivery. Lube Plate is a must. I've heard that a Dry Lubricant should be used on the slides and a wet lube on the mechanism.

I'm particular about maintenance. Thanks for sharing your experience.

[Wobbles]

You should be able to find all Reese hitch maintenance info on-line. I would follow their plan until somebody convinces you that the manufacturer is wrong.

[Jmsx2]

Originally Posted by Wobbles

You should be able to find all Reese hitch maintenance info on-line. I would follow their plan until somebody convinces you that the manufacturer is wrong.

I've actually been looking online. Not very clear on what type of lube to be used in the different moving parts. Thanks for writing.

[Wobbles]

Originally Posted by Jmsx2

I've actually been looking online. Not very clear on what type of lube to be used in the different moving parts. Thanks for writing.

Call them...

[Jmsx2]

Originally Posted by Wobbles

Call them...

That's a good idea.

[FrankG]

A fifth wheel hitch contains a few moving parts that move very slowly only when you hitch up or unhitch. Plus the jaws that contact the pin. Grease, any grease sold at Walmart or your favorite auto store will do. If it says waterproof you are in luck. (they are all waterproof, just some more than others) NLGI 2 would be the proper designation.

Use the same stuff you use for your wheel bearings, and wet bolts.

[Jmsx2]

Originally Posted by FrankG

A fifth wheel hitch contains a few moving parts that move very slowly only when you hitch up or unhitch. Plus the jaws that contact the pin. Grease, any grease sold at Walmart or your favorite auto store will do. If it says waterproof you are in luck. (they are all waterproof, just some more than others) NLGI 2 would be the proper designation.

Use the same stuff you use for your wheel bearings, and wet bolts.

Thanks for writing. I kind of figures that type of Greece in the Jaws. I'm thinking a dry lube in the slides. That should minimize dirt collecting on them.

[DouglasReid]

We have the same hitch. there are two springs underneath the head which should be coated with grease. They close the mechanism when you are connecting.

We live in a humid climate and if you do not grease them they fail after a year or two. (ask me how I know). Other than that a lube plate on the pin and an occasional squirt of silicone lube on the slide rails and rollers and it works wonderfully.

We do find that it is necessary to remove the weight from the pin to have it slide easily. Extending the landing gear and lifting it, then sliding it rearward, then lifting the landing gear is a bit of a pain, but we do not mind. It does not take long. I usually do it while she goes in to check into the campground.

[Jmsx2]

Originally Posted by DouglasReid

We have the same hitch. there are two springs underneath the head which should be coated with grease. They close the mechanism when you are connecting.



We live in a humid climate and if you do not grease them they fail after a year or two. (ask me how I know). Other than that a lube plate on the pin and an occasional squirt of silicone lube on the slide rails and rollers and it works wonderfully.



We do find that it is necessary to remove the weight from the pin to have it slide easily. Extending the landing gear and lifting it, then sliding it rearward, then lifting the landing gear is a bit of a pain, but we do not mind. It does not take long. I usually do it while she goes in to check into the campground.

Great Stuff that I didn't realize. Never gave it a thought to take some of the pressure off the head in order to slide it rearward. Do you do the same thing when sliding forward as well?

Good stuff. Thank You.

[sasch]

To expand a little bit on Jmsx2"s question: I have a Curt 16k fixed hitch used with a Reese Rotation/sidewinder - not using a lube plate (don't think I need to?) and what are the lube recommendations?

[DouglasReid]

Originally Posted by Jmsx2

Great Stuff that I didn't realize. Never gave it a thought to take some of the pressure off the head in order to slide it rearward. Do you do the same thing when sliding forward as well?

Good stuff. Thank You.

NO, I usually slide it forward after we have setup the camper and unhitched so there is no weight on it at all, just move the lever and slide it forward by hand til it locks.

As far as lifting it to slide it rearward, as I lower the landing gear I watch the space between the plastic plate and the hitch. as soon as I see a bit of "daylight" I know there is no weight on the hitch. I then swap the lever, get in the truck, use the brake controller to lock the brakes on the camper and slowly drive forward til I feel it stop. Raise the landing gear and we are done.

[aquenichet]

I am going to use chain lube on mine from now on. It comes out of the spray can in liquid form then turns to the consistency of Vasoline so it will stick. My experience with it in off-road motorcycling was that this stuff will work and you can put it right where you want it.

[W5CI]

Since the OP got the hitch new , Just look at the Manual that came with the hitch. It should have all of the info