I don’t think you have a problem. Looking on the centerline web site I’m guessing you have the built in sway control and not the chain up type. If that’s right don’t grease the bars that sit on the cradle. That would be akin to greasing the brake pads on your truck. For a capacity of 12k lbs you probably have 1k bars which is about right. You should have some trouble hooking the bars up but shouldn’t be anything an 18” cheater bar can’t handle with minimum effort. Popping and squeaking on turns; well, learn to love it. It won’t hurt anything, just a little annoying.
Happy travels!!