Grease for WDH

Spray can of white lithium grease lives in my storage compartment. I spray the ball and bars each time I hitch up.

Crabbypatty wrote:
The creek of the hitch on turns is the wd bars doing what they are supposed to do. The only grease is on the hitch ball. If Ihave to make a super sharp turn like pulling into a site. I will remove the bars, but thats only happened once in 11 years.

Wrong. You are to oil the trunnions, read the instructions.

The creek of the hitch on turns is the wd bars doing what they are supposed to do. The only grease is on the hitch ball. If Ihave to make a super sharp turn like pulling into a site. I will remove the bars, but thats only happened once in 11 years.

e.menoche wrote:
I've had basically the same question. My hitch creaks on sharp, slow turns, but my dealer said that is normal, so I haven't worried about that. However, the latching mechanism on my trailer frame has gotten rusty and very balky to move so that it clamps down against the hitch ball. And at times, I've had a hard time getting the hitch ball to release. Bought a sledge hammer to persuade it, just in case. I've thought about spraying some dry lube graphite on the latching mechanism, but was wondering (1) is that OK to do and (2) would it work. Or what else might work.

OIL

I've had basically the same question. My hitch creaks on sharp, slow turns, but my dealer said that is normal, so I haven't worried about that. However, the latching mechanism on my trailer frame has gotten rusty and very balky to move so that it clamps down against the hitch ball. And at times, I've had a hard time getting the hitch ball to release. Bought a sledge hammer to persuade it, just in case. I've thought about spraying some dry lube graphite on the latching mechanism, but was wondering (1) is that OK to do and (2) would it work. Or what else might work.

Ron3rd wrote:
Just pick the color you want on your pants. I have some Mobil 1 Red Synthetic I use for wheel bearings, so that's what I use on the WD hitch.

LOL....been there. One trick I use is after I unhook, I tie a WalMart or any other shopping bag over the ball either in a knot or with an elastic. Works like a charm and have been told at many a race track by others that they wish they thought of that before they ruined their pants. A little while later, I see those people tying bags on there hitches. Cheap...and easy!
And yes, I grease both the ball and cams with whatever grease I have lying around the garage or in the grease gun. I also always use gloves while handling the bars and wipe them down with brake cleaner when I get home.

To get the grease off your pants, get some Goo Gone and some Simple Green. Spray the Goo Gone on the grease first, and let it soak in for a few minutes, then hit it with the Simple Green. Toss it in the wash with your regular clothes, or do a separate load if it bothers you. Grease comes right out.

I've heard the horror stories about grease, and pants, and wiping (Oooooo, the wiping!!!) I'm not gonna lie (this time), I have gotten a little grease on my pants once or so, and I do carry a roll of paper shop rags at the ready. If I'm travelling any decent distance, I grease it up pretty well. A dollop on the ball and spread it around, a dab on each of the four contact points on my trunnion head, and a dab of Vasoline on the two bar/cam interfaces. When I get to my destination, the first thing I do after the dust has settled, is wipe down the grease and road dirt off the parts, cover the ball with my custom plastic cover and place all the components in the bed of the truck for the duration of the stay. Takes all of 5 minutes and I'm done and ready for clean hitch up on the way home. Just a hiddeous usage of time and materials, I know.

The bright side is, my parts are beautifully seated, make little or no noise, and will last a looooong time. Ohhh, the horror!

Sounds like everyone is over greasing. I just thoroughly coat the ball with a finger tip of grease and the wipe it with a rag,same with the bars. You do not need to even see the grease, all you are doing is reducing the friction,and it does not take much. I use maybe a ¼ to ½ teaspoon, and have a quiet hitch.

Another tip is to put a latex rubber glove over the ball when unhitched. I carry a cheap box of these and they work great for that purpose.