Forum Discussion

poguelife's avatar
poguelife
Explorer
May 12, 2015

Best suited lubricants

Can someone give me a rundown on some of the best products for use with my new Travelstar 239TBS? By this I mean, I got the walk around from the dealer but forgot a lot of the suggestions... the owner's manual suggests putting some "oil" on the hitch ball and coupler socket, but I'm so naive I'd be likely to put Crisco oil on it! I'm looking for brand names. He had talked about something in the locks to keep them from corroding, and I said, "like... WD40?" and he said, "no... like ??(I think he said Rust-all or something like that)".
Anyway, I'm also looking for the best product to put on various metal components to lubricate and prevent corrosions, such as the stabilizer feet. But also Canvases, general cleaning, etc. Brand names please! Maybe even insights in priorities (Number one job is...) when it comes to hybrid TT preventative maintenance

Thanks!
  • downtheroad's avatar
    downtheroad
    Explorer
    May 12, 2015
    Man o man, there are tons of lubricants out there for different applications...and just as many opinions about what is best and where.

    I have Teflon spray, Silicone Dry Lube, Tri-Flo, WD-40 and a bunch of others I can't remember. Usually I just grab whatever.

    To lube the hitch ball, I use hitch ball lube.....:S

    Available lots of places. I got this at Walmart.

  • TNRIVERSIDE's avatar
    TNRIVERSIDE
    Explorer
    May 12, 2015
    downtheroad wrote:
    Man o man, there are tons of lubricants out there for different applications...and just as many opinions about what is best and where.

    I have Teflon spray, Silicone Dry Lube, Tri-Flo, WD-40 and a bunch of others I can't remember. Usually I just grab whatever.

    To lube the hitch ball, I use hitch ball lube.....:S

    Available lots of places. I got this at Walmart.



    X2. Hitch ball lub as stated has the advantage of being available in a small container.
    WD40 is not a lubricant.
    I have some liquid wrench spray lubricant for most items that need a lub.
    Some awnings use sylicon that is available in a spray too.
    Those three will cover most needs.
  • phillyg's avatar
    phillyg
    Explorer II
    May 12, 2015
    Use a graphite based lube for keyholes. I never use anything on my hitch ball. But, if you have a weight distributing hitch follow the mfgrs. recommendation. If you have a slideout, get Slideout lube from an RV supplier.
  • DutchmenSport's avatar
    DutchmenSport
    Explorer
    May 13, 2015
    Actually, Crisco oil would work! You just have to keep putting more on occasionally, where as actual grease will stay put longer.

    Any brand will work.
  • randallb's avatar
    randallb
    Explorer
    May 13, 2015
    Go to the auto parts store and get some Door-Ease or a similar product. It is a wax like semi-solid in a push-up tube. It works great on balls and is easy to store. For lock cylinders any dry lube works but spray a lube similar to PB Blaster in to the latch where it would contact the striker. This application allows the spray lube to penetrate in to the internal latch mechanisms and keeps everything moving smotthly.
    Randy
  • WyoTraveler's avatar
    WyoTraveler
    Explorer
    May 13, 2015
    Being in farm and ranch country I use plain grease on the ball. When I towed my TT I used white grease but plain old grease in a grease gun works. Reese hitch grease works also if it isn't too pricey. The goal is to prevent wear on the ball. If Reese hitch grease is white it most likely is just white grease at a higher price. Walmart sells white grease in the tubes that fit grease guns.

    If in cold climates some lubes for locks like WD40 will freeze. Graphite lock ease works in all climates.
  • Dick_B's avatar
    Dick_B
    Explorer
    May 13, 2015
    we use wax paper on the ball. much cleaner than grease.
  • pitch's avatar
    pitch
    Explorer II
    May 16, 2015
    My opinion is no better than the next guys ,but this is what I use.
    Remington Gun oil on hinges and locks. Pretty sure that it is just a light machine oil like 3 in 1.
    White spray lithium for stabilizer jacks and slide.
    NO.2 Mystic Red Hi Temp Grease for wheel bearings. I also use it on the ball and WDH. I just wipe on a finger full and wipe of the excess with a paper towel.

    For the ball anything is better than nothing, just to prevent galling.
  • mikeinaz's avatar
    mikeinaz
    Explorer
    May 20, 2015
    Get a couple cans of silicone spray (Walmart, hardware stores) and spray every piece of rubber. Door seals, pop out seals etc. any black piece of rubber gets sprayed. You will be amazed at where you may find seals at when you start looking. It will keep them from cracking and leaking. Also good on the toilet seal, when you flush and you can see thru the hole into the tank, spray around in there as well to lube the seal on the flap. Do this when water is off and its dry. Also spray it on the grey and black tank dump valve releases. Pull them out and give them a shot and work them back and forth.

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