I have used nothing but the "lube plate" since they became available, and have always had Reese hitches. But I just bought a new Chevrolet, diesel Duramax/Allison, which came equipped with a Curt hitch already installed.
Someone said above that the lube place cannot be used with a Curt
The owner's instruction with the Curt explicitly recommend the lube plate, and a brand new lube plate was included with the hitch.
I hope the Curt serves me as well as every Reese hitch I've had has done.