Weight distribution bars

[dadkins]

I have recently acquired a new to me TT that weights in at 10,000. I use a weight distribution system on my 2009 Dodge Ram HD Cummins, with 4wd. I am wondering if the parts of the bars that go inside the hitch should be lubricated. The thing really pops going down the road. I have leveled the load on a level parking lot and weighed the TT and the truck so I have a match. I also use Prodigy Brake Control. TT has electric brakes. It would seem to me to be prudent to grease the bars for ease of motion, but I can't seem to get a straight answer from any maintenance people including Camping World. Any suggestions?

[RinconVTR]

TundraTower wrote:
Never did see if the OP identified which WD hitch he had, but as to the EQ system by Progressive, there are 3 ways to reduce the hitch noise:
1. EQ makes a plastic/rubber sleeve that sits on the Ell brackets and the bars wear on this. It adds about 1/4" of height to the Ell brackets and they last a very long time.
2. Either the EQ instructions or the website indicate you CAN lubricate the Ell brackets, but with the warning that sway control will be significantly reduced (duhh).
3. In the category of "tribal Knowledge", I discovered that I can take a side grinder and lightly dress up the wear surface of the Ell brackets once in a while and it will eliminate the noise until the surfaces wear smooth again.

Just my $.02.

Good post, I agree 100%, and I believe it's 100% accurate.

The OP did ID his hitch as a harbor freight round bar with chains. So, no L brackets. He only needs to lube the head pivot points, as nearly every WDH hitch requires.

[TundraTower]

Never did see if the OP identified which WD hitch he had, but as to the EQ system by Progressive, there are 3 ways to reduce the hitch noise:
1. EQ makes a plastic/rubber sleeve that sits on the Ell brackets and the bars wear on this. It adds about 1/4" of height to the Ell brackets and they last a very long time.
2. Either the EQ instructions or the website indicate you CAN lubricate the Ell brackets, but with the warning that sway control will be significantly reduced (duhh).
3. In the category of "tribal Knowledge", I discovered that I can take a side grinder and lightly dress up the wear surface of the Ell brackets once in a while and it will eliminate the noise until the surfaces wear smooth again.

Just my $.02.

[temccarthy1]

dadkins wrote:
Thank you temcarthy1. I am not understanding what you mean my sitting on the flat part. The bars go up inside the hitch and lock into place, that is where the turning occurs. Is that what you mean. I do think the popping is coming from the chains.

No, I was talking about where the bars lay on the L brackets on an Equalizer E2 system. That part is made for friction of the bars under load against the bare metal of the L bracket. the friction of metal against metal is where you get the anti sway in that system. And yes, there is noise on sharp turns or backing.... but not on the highway. If yours has chains other than safety chains, then it is a different brand and type of system and I have no knowledge of whether you should lubricate.

[24v]

aftermath wrote:
Thanks 24V, I stand corrected. Today they suggest that you use their bracket jackets on the L brackets. I was dealing with this issue before they became available and at that time I was told that a light covering of grease on the L brackets would do the job.

I will look into getting some of the new bracket jackets. Although after about 10 years towing in all sorts of conditions I have yet to have an issue with sway.

I bought the little plastic covers for mine. I did not try it without though so I cannot really comment.

[aftermath]

Thanks 24V, I stand corrected. Today they suggest that you use their bracket jackets on the L brackets. I was dealing with this issue before they became available and at that time I was told that a light covering of grease on the L brackets would do the job.

I will look into getting some of the new bracket jackets. Although after about 10 years towing in all sorts of conditions I have yet to have an issue with sway.

[Hannibal]

I use a drop or two of Mobil-1 5w-30 on the ball, sockets and chain on our Reese HP trunion style hitch. We get no noise from the hitch and it's easy to wipe off when we get home. I like to keep it simple.

[24v]

aftermath wrote:

temccarthy1 wrote:
If it is an Equalizer WD hitch, do NOT grease the bars where they sit on the L brackets. That is meant to be a friction point to stop the sway. If you lubricate, you will nullify the anti sway feature. I cannot speak for other brands that use the chains as I do not know the technical part of how those work.

This is an incorrect statement. I have used an Equalizer for many years now and I lube both the socket heads and the L bracket face. I do this because that is what the manufacturer suggests. They do say to lube it lightly and they even have designed a plastic sleeve to fit over the L bracket. I know that it is counter intuitive and that is why I checked with the Equalizer people. A little lubrication is not going to cause a problem.

Actually I think it is correct. The infographic shown here says to lube the sockets only.

Here is the page with more info.
http://www.equalizerhitch.com/blog/how-to-lube-your-equal-i-zer-hitch/

[dodge_guy]

Geez, no wonder the guy hasn't been back in a while!

I knew it was a standard WD hitch from the beginning. Yes lube the pivot points on the hitch head and the ball and coupler.

[downtheroad]

To LIKE2BUILD
I have neither. I have a Blue Ox Sway Pro...it has zerk fittings for greasing. It makes no noise at all.
But, it doesn't matter which bars...round or trunion...both need greasing where they insert into the hitch head.

In addition, regardless of what ever hitch, one should grease the ball also.

[LIKE2BUILD]

downtheroad wrote:
Here is a start....but again it depends on the hitch.

dadkins wrote:
I have recently acquired a new to me TT that weights in at 10,000. I use a weight distribution system on my 2009 Dodge Ram HD Cummins, with 4wd. I am wondering if the parts of the bars that go inside the hitch should be lubricated. The thing really pops going down the road.

So is the above pictured trunion hitch like the one you have? Or do you have a round bar system?

All WD hitches make some noise.

With either system, the attitude of the bars when under tension makes a huge difference. If you have very few chain links between the tip of the bar and the snap up bracket it will not allow enough movement in the chain when making a turn. When the bars are under tension a round bar system should be parallel to the trailer frame and a trunion should have the ends of the bars pointing slightly down.

To get sufficient weight transfer to the front axle you don't just pull the bars up tighter to the brackets. What you do is adjust the hitch head so it tilts back which will cause your bars to point downward. Now when you connect the chains the bars will bend up in the right position and will still transfer weight. The trick is there is no generic starting head position to suggest. You'll have to measure the front wheel well height and then experiment with different head tilts until you find the spot where the bars look right and you get the wheel well back to unloaded height.

KJ

[VegasScotty]

If it's Harbor Freight, then I presume this is the one you have:
http://manuals.harborfreight.com/manuals/61000-61999/61720.pdf


So if so, then yes, grease the "round bar" before inserting it into the hitch head, and also grease the grease fitting monthly as per the instruction booklet.

[dadkins]

It would appear from the comments, that lubrication depends on the mfg of the unit. The unit has no name brand on it. I purchased it from Harbor Freight. But, since the concensus is to lightly lube, I will try that on a short trip and see how it performs. I can always remove the lube if it is not satisfactory. Thanks for all the input and I am sorry I have no pictures.

[coolbreeze01]

The Blue Ox has zerks. Simple and quiet.

[beemerphile1]

I would follow the suggestions in the manual that is for the specific system.