New to 5'ers

[The_Painting_Te]

What is the practice for lubricating the 5th-wheel hitch? Are covers usually put over them when not towing? I assume it's possible to buy something like a gas grill cover sold at RV locations? Camp on

[The_Painting_Te]

Sounds like I'll be getting a teflon disk. As for covering, I see no down side to keeping it covered when not in use, and I'll remove the hitch from May to Dec when I don't need it. Thanks everyone for helping. Even an experienced camper (11 yrs with a TT) needs help on something new. Camp on!

[Old-Biscuit]

Never have used a cover ever.
Old style pre-teflon disc was a light film of grease on hitch head and king pin plate.

Thank goodness for those teflon discs!!!!!
Only use a light film of dry lube on moving points of hitch(pivots points and jaw tracts where jaw makes contact with hitch structure) and on king pin/jaw contact points.

Once a year I remove head & mount from truck.........give it a good cleaning and repaint as necessary. Pull the large head mount pin, clean it and the articulating pins. Good heavy grease--reassemble and wipe off excess.

[BB_TX]

Like most I use a disk with just a little grease around the pin. Mine does stay under my roll type tonneau cover when in the truck. And I usually take it out during the off season and store it inside the garage or storage building.
But many leave theirs in the bed uncovered. Don't see a problem doing that as long as all the moving parts are properly lubed. Paint will fade over time and little nicks and scratches will show some rust and make it look older than it really is, but that is just cosmetic.

[rhagfo]

oilslick wrote:
Teflon disc, grease attracts dirt. I store my hitch under the RV on a low dolly with 4 casters, easy to wheel under or move around.

X5 then some grease were the jaws grab the pin.
I don't cover no need.

[NC_Hauler]

oilslick wrote:
Teflon disc, grease attracts dirt. I store my hitch under the RV on a low dolly with 4 casters, easy to wheel under or move around.

I think what OP might have been asking about the cover is when one leaves the hitch in their truck during the towing season. CW makes a cover specifically for a 5th wheel hitch, works great, though I could have been wrong about that asssumption.

[oilslick]

Teflon disc, grease attracts dirt. I store my hitch under the RV on a low dolly with 4 casters, easy to wheel under or move around.

[NC_Hauler]

I use the teflon disc...only use dry lube on springs or actuators....You can purchase a 5th wheel hitch cover at Camping World for under $20...I've had mine for 7-8 yrs, when not in use, I put it in my toolbox in back of truck...

[brirene]

MFL wrote:
I think most people use the teflon disc. They will last a long time, and much cleaner. You should put a light layer of lube on the pin, where it makes contact with the jaws.

I keep my hitch covered, when not in use, with a roll up bed cover. It makes it handy to keep other things dry in the bed, when not towing.

Jerry

This. I've used my disk for 6 seasons and had no problem or breakage. Tri fold tonneau keeps it dry and clean. Only time its exposed to the elements is when actually towing.

[calamus]

Our hitch sits in the garage when not being used. We have used the teflon disk since the camper was new I broke one when I didnt have the camper raised high enough, but they work great and are CLEAN thats the big thing. good luck

[MFL]

I think most people use the teflon disc. They will last a long time, and much cleaner. You should put a light layer of lube on the pin, where it makes contact with the jaws.

I keep my hitch covered, when not in use, with a roll up bed cover. It makes it handy to keep other things dry in the bed, when not towing.

Jerry

[donn0128]

Have never covered mine in 9 years.
As for lube? Grease it as you hook up heading out. Return trip? Not really necessary. Be sure to use some thinner and paper towels to clean the old grease off before you apply new. Some people use the teflon lube discs and I did for a while, but finally gave up on that idea.