Blue Ox Sway Pro grease Question

[kfp673]

Hello All,

I got the BlueOx pro when we purchased our new trailer last July. I have loved it so far although it is sometimes hard to unhook the bars, but in general no complaints. On our last trip however it started squeaking. I found the owners manual on-line and it says in there to grease both zerk fittings before every use. Woooops. I have not greased it in nearly a year. So I will grease it for sure before the next time, but do you really grease it before every use? There is room for that much grease?? That's what the manual says but its hard to believe. thoughts? Thanks

[gmw_photos]

I keep a normal fixed 24" breaker bar in the truck tool box for breaking lug nuts loose. That is what I use for the blue ox rotating latches. As for lubing the rotating latches, I just put a few drops of oil in them from my oil can. That's how I've done it since 2011 when I got this, and all is fine.
I use this hitch on two different trailers, swapping the rotating latches between the two trailers as needed.

I grease the trunnions every few thousand miles.

Mine is the first gen version where the trunnions are captured from the bottom with plates, held in place by a bolt. Those bolts should have loctite on the threads, and be checked regularly, as they can come loose in time. Torque is 47 lb-ft according to the factory ( the torque figure was not in the original manual, I had to call them on the phone to find out ). None of this last paragraph applies to the new version, as I understand it.

[Retired_JSO]

I used a 20” breaker bar although HF caries a 25” one also. The square drive end swivels 180 degrees which allows the bar to pivot away from the trailer frame thus getting your hands out of danger. I never owned a fixed head breaker bar nor would I.

[kfp673]

carringb wrote:

downtheroad wrote:

To make hooking and unhooking the bars easier, get a ratcheting extension bar from Harbor Freight. The wrench that BlueOx supplies is worthless.

This too^

I also use the Harbor Freight ratchet breaker bar. It's far safer than the stock handle. If you have to unhook at an angle, the outside bar will still be under tension, and when it cams over any fixed handle will kick over pretty hard.

I know this is an older post, but can you expand on this a bit? This breaker bar appears to be 18” which I would guess is about the same size as the included tool. Please explain how it is better? I’m not understanding? Very often I have to force the release (even when I use tongue jack to release pressure) which does cause a snap / hard release from time to time. I’m just struggling to understand how a ratcheting bar, or any bar would make it easier. Thanks for the help!!

[carringb]

There's no good way to grease the rotating latches. Just some sort of spray lube (WD-40, or even silicone spray) helps a lot. You'll have to exercise it a bunch to loosen up the existing rust, but the spray will reduce buildup of future rust.

[kfp673]

Thanks all. I have been using the tool it came with and have thought about something else, so I think I'll get a breaker bar.
What about lube or grease for the roaring pieces on the camper. I did not see anything in the manual there, but sometimes it gets stuck when I'm trying to get it off. I pull the pin and actually have to apply a lot of force to get it to release and quickly pull back to keep it from flying. Should I lube that as well?

Thanks!

[carringb]

downtheroad wrote:

To make hooking and unhooking the bars easier, get a ratcheting extension bar from Harbor Freight. The wrench that BlueOx supplies is worthless.

This too^

I also use the Harbor Freight ratchet breaker bar. It's far safer than the stock handle. If you have to unhook at an angle, the outside bar will still be under tension, and when it cams over any fixed handle will kick over pretty hard.

[downtheroad]

Grease mine every 3-5 trips depending on how long the trips are going to be.

To make hooking and unhooking the bars easier, get a ratcheting extension bar from Harbor Freight. The wrench that BlueOx supplies is worthless.

Breaker Bar....LINK

[carringb]

Yes,I grease it nearly every trip. Although most of my trips are fairly long. If I'm doing short weekender trips, then just every 3-4 trips.

I made the same mistake when new. 2nd trip out was a 1,200 mile. Then I hitched back up for the return drive, about 100 miles in I could hear the hitch groaning when turning, then I developed a weird tracking problem. Kinda like sway, but not rhythmic. The hitch was binding so bad it would return fully to center! Stopped at Napa, bought a grease gun, raised the hitch with the tongue jack to let the grease flow, and problems solved!

[kfp673]

Retired JSO wrote:
I used to grease mine every 3rd long haul. Amounts to 1/2 to 1 pump on the grease gun. Wipe off the extruded grease and repeated every 3rd trip. That’s just me. As to bars, raise the tongue higher to relieve pressure on the bars. I also used a 20” long pull bar with a socket and threw the CS wrench into the recycle bucket.

Thanks! ya I feel like every trip is excessive considering most of our trips are ❤️ hrs. Good idea on the pull bar. Might have to pick that up. Thanks

[Retired_JSO]

I used to grease mine every 3rd long haul. Amounts to 1/2 to 1 pump on the grease gun. Wipe off the extruded grease and repeated every 3rd trip. That’s just me. As to bars, raise the tongue higher to relieve pressure on the bars. I also used a 20” long pull bar with a socket and threw the CS wrench into the recycle bucket.