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Topic ClosedHitch care

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StephenH View Drop Down
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Joined: 29 Nov 2015
Location: Wake Forest, NC
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Direct Link To This Post Topic: Hitch care
    Posted: 30 Nov 2016 at 3:32pm
I use Reese Hitch Ball Lube for the hitch ball and for the pivot points on our Equal-i-zer hitch. Equal-i-zer also makes a lubricant for this purpose. If I had not purchased the Reese lubricant, I would have gotten the Equal-i-zer lubricant as it comes in a squeeze tube instead of a jar. For the sway bar brackets, I use the Equal-i-zer Sway Bracket Jacket. This helps quiet the hitch when turning so it does not make all the creaks and groans of an unlubricated bracket. I also added a hitch tightener to lock the shank into the hitch receiver which helps reduce that source of clunking noises.

I agree with TheBum about the hitch and latching. I usually bump the tow vehicle forward once I lower the tongue of the trailer to make sure it is as far forward as it can go. The hitch locks down easily then. I verify that it is fully connected when I raise the tongue once it is locked in order to put on the bars. If it were not connected properly, it would not lift the TV.

I give you a lot of credit for getting out there and trying. There are many men and women who don't even try. It will be easier as you gain experience.
StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,...

ouR escaPOD mods
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TheBum View Drop Down
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Joined: 26 Feb 2016
Location: Texas
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 Nov 2016 at 3:14pm
Originally posted by kansasfrogs

Can anyone tell me how to care for the ball and hitch?  Is lubricant necessary and what kind, if so.

You should lubricate the hitch ball and anything else that moves (e.g. WDH bars where they insert into the "head" of the hitch and sway bar balls). One exception is anything that needs friction, such as sway bars (other than the balls) and WDH bars that act as sway bars (other than the front pivots). I use the red sticky grease that's often used for wheel bearings. I get it at Home Depot.

The latch on the hitch sometime doesn't want to click in place and our 182 G was newly purchased in May 2016. What am I missing.

You likely have the tongue too far forward on the ball. When that happens, you can inch the TV forward until the ball is resting against the front edge of the tongue socket. The latch should go down easily then.

First time female camper learning the ropes!Embarrassed

No need to be embarrassed. Everybody has to start somewhere.

What part of Kansas do you live in? I grew up in Salina, but I live in Texas now.
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kansasfrogs View Drop Down
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Joined: 21 Jul 2016
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 Nov 2016 at 2:44pm
Can anyone tell me how to care for the ball and hitch?  Is lubricant necessary and what kind, if so.  The latch on the hitch sometime doesn't want to click in place and our 182 G was newly purchased in May 2016. What am I missing. First time female camper learning the ropes!Embarrassed
FROGGY
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