Should I be concerned about my hitch?

Broken images

You should remove from truck
Disassembly
Clean/Wire brush rusted areas
Repaint
and Clean/Lube all pivoting points/jaws etc

Hitch is solid just needs some loving care

It is hard to judge the integrity of a hitch, by looking at a pic. You say you are getting conflicting info. Is this from people actually inspecting the hitch? A competent person should be able to inspect, clean up, and restore your hitch to be used safely. If there is any question of it not being safe, I'd replace it. A quality standard rail hitch is not that expensive.

Jerry

Can't see anything that is bad enough to condemn hitch.
Check the bolts that attach to frame.
Wire brush and repaint with good quality paint such as Hammerite or rustoleum.

Thanks for the opinions!

The conflicting opinions were not from anyone who had seen the hitch and I can't say with any certainty that they are competent RV people. Which is what prompted my post. I'll give the hitch some attention and go from there.

And I agree, better safe than sorry. A new hitch is less expensive than the problem a bad hitch can create.

Old-Biscuit wrote:
You should remove from truck
Disassembly
Clean/Wire brush rusted areas
Repaint
and Clean/Lube all pivoting points/jaws etc

Hitch is solid just needs some loving care

Ditto on that

Buy a new hitch!!! Why run the risk and worry about if the old hitch is going to be safe and possibly cause an accident!!!

pattirv wrote:
I have a 36' fifth wheel toy hauler. I will be taking a trip soon so I have been assessing the condition of the truck and trailer. I have been given conflicting information on the hitch condition. There is a bit of surface rust on the hitch. Should I be concerned about this?

Here are your pictures below.
If it was my hitch I would just sand and repaint.

Click For Full-Size Image.

Click For Full-Size Image.

The hitch looks pretty beat up and sorry to say abused. When you see rust start that is when you should address it and clean it, then repaint. I have had some rust on my plate, but I wire brushed it and repainted it. Do you use a Nylon disk between the hitch and trailer. That supplies lubrication so you do not have metal to metal contact. Do not use grease. Does any area of the hitch show cracks. When you pull the handle does it open and close easily? If you have an RV repair shop near you, it might be a minimal fee to get an expert opinion.

Chinese Made so that's what ya get over time. Besides they are NOT easy to unhitch when RV and Truck are on different planes.