Hitch Issues

[fairpilot]

Hello all, we are having a hitch issue that maybe someone can give a little advice.
We just purchased a 2018 Wildcat T311RKS. our tow vehicle is a 2014 Toyota Tundra 5.7 with tow package. unloaded weight of trailer is 6850 lbs we added a 2nd AC so i am not sure what that increased weight Guessing about 75 lbs, we had about 150 lbs in front compartment. using a 12000Lb Equalizer weigh distribution hitch. All hooked up by dealer for us.

Truck and trailer sit nice and level. We left Tampa with full tank of gas. Truck id well on highway at 60-65. No noises . Stopped in Daytona for gas, filled up tank
while leaving gas station a very loud noise coming from hitch, sounded like something digging into concrete, people were looking at us and asking it we were ok, I understand a new weight distribution hitch makes noise but this was crazy, also noise continued when straight but eventually stopped. We drove to race track a couple miles away with the noise coming and going.

When i unhooked trailer, i saw ball was really chewed up at top about 3/4 way around, receiver was also quite scratched up. Not sure what is going on, new to RV towing, very mechanical person but not sure about how distribution hitch works exactly. would like to hear any thoughts that may be causing issue.

[cmysstailights]

Im gonna say its something on the trailer receiver. That shouldn't happen at all, its a socket thats meant to pivot. Send pics to the dealer.

[calgarycampers]

Stop TOWING asap and go to an RV dealer or repair shop to get this looked at. Please consider having the trailer taken by a towing company, maybe flat decked. Let us knowing what the shop says.

[DieselDrax]

Looks like you have an Equal-I-zer hitch and the friction points are finally doing their thing. Those hitches are quite noisy when turning at lower speeds.

Try greasing the ball to reduce wear, it is a pivot point and wear does happen.

[Bluepill]

Make sure that the clamp on the trailer is properly adjusted. Not too tight, not too loose - just a small amount of play. Videos on youtube.

Don't trust the dealer set-up of the WD system. Constant complaints on RV forums about them being way off. Check it carefully yourself, or have another dealer check it. Youtube videos on this also.

[calgarycampers]

Dumb question but what size is the hitch ball? I can't read it in the picture with my old eyes.

[DieselDrax]

Originally Posted by calgarycampers

Dumb question but what size is the hitch ball? I can't read it in the picture with my old eyes.

It’s 2-5/16” based on the pic.

[calgarycampers]

Never have seen a ball and hitch grind like that.

[DieselDrax]

Originally Posted by calgarycampers

Never have seen a ball and hitch grind like that.

I have a newer ball that looks almost identical, cheap plating flaking off and grinding things up. Not even a WD hitch ball at that.

[Cypressloser]

My uneducated guess from a million miles away is that a piece of metal got trapped inside the coupler (during manufacturing?), painted over and missed during inspection. It dislodged when you pulled into the gas station and got wedged between the ball and the coupler, your wdh then did a good job turning the two parts into a millstone eventually chewing that piece of metal up.
It's a new trailer, try to get your dealer to replace both the ball and the coupler under warranty. At the same time make sure there is not something else totally different going on, my dad used to say "I've seen horses puke".

[wildcatter]

They will do that with no grease on them, get yourself some lithium works grease, a medium to high temp works great, I would replace the ball now and use grease, if you don't replace the ball it will keep grinding away at the hitch coupler. I am surprised the dealer (tech) let you hook up with no grease on the ball. You don't need a lot, Use a plastic bag to cover it when you are out camping to protect your clothes from grease.

[CedarCreekWoody]

You've got more wrong there than a lack of grease or improper adjustment. Get it checked by a pro asap.

[wildcatter]

Originally Posted by CedarCreekWoody

You've got more wrong there than a lack of grease or improper adjustment. Get it checked by a pro asap.

No he doesn't, an ungreased hitch will tear it self apart, you have metal on metal, guess what happens with metal on metal and no lubricant, it will tear it self apart.

The bad part is he may have damaged his hitch coupler and may need to get it replaced. Never ever pull a trailer with out having grease on the ball.

[wildcatter]

To the OP google "should I grease my hitch ball" and see what comes up.

[Oaklevel]

Originally Posted by wildcatter

No he doesn't, an ungreased hitch will tear it self apart, you have metal on metal, guess what happens with metal on metal and no lubricant, it will tear it self apart.

The bad part is he may have damaged his hitch coupler and may need to get it replaced. Never ever pull a trailer with out having grease on the ball.

I have NEVER greased a ball and never had anything like this happen.......... personally I think it is the wrong ball. It looks like a cheap one even though it is rated at 10,000 lbs. Also are we 100% that it is a 2 5/16" or is it a 2"

[fairpilot]

I am having looked at by a hitch dealer all they do is hitches. I am suprised also that the dealer did no grease this. I ran my finger around in the receiver looking for a rough spot that could cause this and found nothing. I have to move it about five miles to hitch dealer I am concerned about the receiver being so scratched up or gouged. It is welded on so its not as easy as just replace it. I will be replacing ball and greasing entire WD and ball

[DieselDrax]

Originally Posted by Oaklevel

I have NEVER greased a ball and never had anything like this happen.......... personally I think it is the wrong ball. It looks like a cheap one even though it is rated at 10,000 lbs. Also are we 100% that it is a 2 5/16" or is it a 2"

Yes, it’s a 2-5/16”.

[fairpilot]

Yes it is a 2 5/16 and the brand was Curt

[wildcatter]

Originally Posted by Oaklevel

I have NEVER greased a ball and never had anything like this happen.......... personally I think it is the wrong ball. It looks like a cheap one even though it is rated at 10,000 lbs. Also are we 100% that it is a 2 5/16" or is it a 2"

That doesn't mean he didn't, personally I think you have gotten lucky, I too have pulled trailers with no grease and when I unhitched the chrome on the ball was tore up, that us why I grease everything, just a light a coat will work wonders.

[Oaklevel]

You are doing the right thing by taking it to a hitch shop. Greasing is not a bad thing its good, but lack of grease did not cause this you have something else going on.

Good Luck !!!! By the way please let us know what you find out it may help someone else.