OK, two days until I leave for my trip from Wisconsin to S. Texas and back towing my 19' KZ Sportsman. It is a single axle trailer and since this will be my longest trip with the trailer by far, I am planning on stopping to check a few things every so often along the way. Tires, pressure, hitch, oil, tranny temps, etc.... I also plan to check the hub temps every few hundred miles. I have an infrared temp gauge but I have no idea what temps I should be concerned about. I pulled the bearings, inspected them and lubed them back up this spring. I don't expect any problems, but I want to be cautious. The other question I have is this: Is it a good idea to put some lube on the hitch ball and coupeler or will that just attract more debris and make it worse?So, lube the hitch or not and max temp for trailer wheel hubs???Thanks.

I have an infrared gun I bought primarily to check tire temps. But since I installed a TPMS I never use it. I do still use the hand test on the hubs. Usually at each stop I will walk around and feel each hub. Even in really hot (over 100) temps the hubs do not get hot. Warm, yes. Hot, no. I would just shoot both hubs and if one is significantly hotter than the other I would be concerned about the one. If both are within a few degrees of each other then no worry.

There's no need or value in putting lub on the hitch. It'll just get on your pants the first time you forget it's there.

I use a light coating of Teflon trailer ball lube, works for me. It is not supposed to attract dirt, but will leave a spot on your pants, if you don't watch what you are doing.I have noticed temps on the heat gun from 90 ish, to 120, depending on outside temps, and if sun is hitting hub. Like mentioned, you want to see hub temps close to the same. The sunny side will likely be 10-20 degrees warmer than the side running in the shade.Jerry

I use Teflon ball lube on the ball and I do a walk around at every fuel stop and just feel each hub. I also check the hitch and safety chains. It has worked for me for the past ten years and many long distance hauls. As soon as we unhitch, I remove the hitch and ball and in that way I don't make the mistake of brushing the ball with my pants.The ball lube is made for a reason !Jack L

There's no need or value in putting lub on the hitch. It'll just get on your pants the first time you forget it's there.Probably lots of us would disagree with this advice...but, I realize that yours and mine are nothing more than opinions..I lube mine...and the hitch ends of the trunion bars.

Two questions: Hub temp and hitch lube | Good Sam Community

dodge_guy
Explorer II
Jul 24, 2015
The hub temps will probably be around 100 degrees or so. Compare them side-side, if one is significantly hotter than the other then something needs to be checked.

Yes you want to lube the hitch ball. Metal on metal is not good and will prematurely wear out both the ball and coupler. It's basically a ball joint, and those also have grease in them. I wipe it off about every other trip and reapply a new dab of grease. Same should be done to the points where the WD bars slip into the WD hitch head.
Sandia_Man
Explorer II
Jul 24, 2015
Hard to say what hub temps will be as it varies under different circumstances. I look more at the hub temps being uniform across the board and would suspect something amiss if one reading was substantially higher than the others. Enjoy your cross country trip!!!
Kennedycamper
Explorer
Jul 24, 2015
When I had a TT I put a cover over the ball when not in use. Keeps you from wiping the grease of on yourself.
downtheroad
Explorer
Jul 24, 2015
There's no need or value in putting lub on the hitch. It'll just get on your pants the first time you forget it's there.

Probably lots of us would disagree with this advice...but, I realize that yours and mine are nothing more than opinions..

I lube mine...and the hitch ends of the trunion bars.
NanciL
Explorer II
Jul 24, 2015
I use Teflon ball lube on the ball and I do a walk around at every fuel stop and just feel each hub.
I also check the hitch and safety chains.
It has worked for me for the past ten years and many long distance hauls.
As soon as we unhitch, I remove the hitch and ball and in that way I don't make the mistake of brushing the ball with my pants.

The ball lube is made for a reason !

Jack L
MFL
Nomad II
Jul 24, 2015
I use a light coating of Teflon trailer ball lube, works for me. It is not supposed to attract dirt, but will leave a spot on your pants, if you don't watch what you are doing.

I have noticed temps on the heat gun from 90 ish, to 120, depending on outside temps, and if sun is hitting hub. Like mentioned, you want to see hub temps close to the same. The sunny side will likely be 10-20 degrees warmer than the side running in the shade.

Jerry
allen8106
Explorer
Jul 24, 2015
There's no need or value in putting lub on the hitch. It'll just get on your pants the first time you forget it's there.
BB_TX
Nomad
Jul 24, 2015
I have an infrared gun I bought primarily to check tire temps. But since I installed a TPMS I never use it. I do still use the hand test on the hubs. Usually at each stop I will walk around and feel each hub. Even in really hot (over 100) temps the hubs do not get hot. Warm, yes. Hot, no. I would just shoot both hubs and if one is significantly hotter than the other I would be concerned about the one. If both are within a few degrees of each other then no worry.

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Two questions: Hub temp and hitch lube

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