R-pod Owners Forum : Hitch care

R-pod Owners Forum : Hitch care https://www.rpod-owners.com/ This is an XML content feed of; R-pod Owners Forum : Mods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks : Hitch care Copyright (c) 2006-2009 Web Wiz Forums - All Rights Reserved. Mon, 07 Sep 2026 11:24:12 +0000 Tue, 13 Dec 2016 20:20:03 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Web Wiz Forums 9.64 360 https://www.rpod-owners.com/RSS_post_feed.asp?TID=9088 R-pod Owners Forum https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_images/web_wiz_forums.png https://www.rpod-owners.com/ Hitch care : I read somewhere that there are... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9088&PID=85927#85927 Author: StephenH
Subject: 9088
Posted: 13 Dec 2016 at 8:20pm

I read somewhere that there are some zoos around that will accept a fresh carcass to feed to the carnivores. However, once they have aged a few days, they will no longer accept them.
]]> Tue, 13 Dec 2016 20:20:03 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9088&PID=85927#85927 Hitch care : I am with you Doug, feelings are... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9088&PID=85920#85920 Author: jato
Subject: 9088
Posted: 13 Dec 2016 at 3:56pm

I am with you Doug, feelings are mutual. HOWEVER, on more than one occasion I attempted to harvest the tenderloins, but they were nasty, urine, intestinal contents intermixed throughout, hmmmm. Let the scavengers have it!]]> Tue, 13 Dec 2016 15:56:06 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9088&PID=85920#85920 Hitch care : A shame to let the tenderloins... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9088&PID=85906#85906 Author: techntrek
Subject: 9088
Posted: 13 Dec 2016 at 10:52am

A shame to let the tenderloins go to the scavengers...

]]> Tue, 13 Dec 2016 10:52:05 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9088&PID=85906#85906 Hitch care : The problem with hitting them... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9088&PID=85896#85896 Author: jato
Subject: 9088
Posted: 12 Dec 2016 at 10:42pm

The problem with hitting them then running them over is that the guts, intestinal renderin's, urine, and the like plus bone splinters go throughout the meat quickly ruining everything. Hence, about all one can do is pull the carcass off into the ditch and leave it for the eagles and coyotes. At least it doesn't all go to waste.
]]> Mon, 12 Dec 2016 22:42:42 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9088&PID=85896#85896 Hitch care : Ah venison!! https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9088&PID=85888#85888 Author: Leo B
Subject: 9088
Posted: 12 Dec 2016 at 7:21pm

Ah venison!!]]> Mon, 12 Dec 2016 19:21:42 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9088&PID=85888#85888 Hitch care : I hope you took those deer home... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9088&PID=85887#85887 Author: techntrek
Subject: 9088
Posted: 12 Dec 2016 at 7:12pm

I hope you took those deer home and hung them!]]> Mon, 12 Dec 2016 19:12:09 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9088&PID=85887#85887 Hitch care : Deer whistles don't seem... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9088&PID=85630#85630 Author: Keith-N-Dar
Subject: 9088
Posted: 05 Dec 2016 at 8:46pm

Deer whistles don't seem to do any good and they cause pan to lots o other wild and domestic animals.]]> Mon, 05 Dec 2016 20:46:08 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9088&PID=85630#85630 Hitch care : Tell them they can always get... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9088&PID=85624#85624 Author: StephenH
Subject: 9088
Posted: 04 Dec 2016 at 10:31pm

Tell them they can always get you one of these:
Barricade Brush Guard
The link is for trucks up to 2014. They also have links on the page for one for the 2015 and 2016 F-150s. I didn't look to see if they have one for the SuperDuty trucks.
]]> Sun, 04 Dec 2016 22:31:07 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9088&PID=85624#85624 Hitch care : haha, my airbag has never deployed... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9088&PID=85622#85622 Author: jato
Subject: 9088
Posted: 04 Dec 2016 at 10:16pm

haha, my airbag has never deployed and it has one, when I got the truck in 1998 the airbag light on the dash was flashing on and off. 18 years later it is still doing it! The guys at work have threatened to do that to the truck, at this point it would look like some of the football helmets with all stickers on them. The owners of the golf course I work for haven't gotten me a new or newer truck because they know that one hit would probably toast a new truck. This one has a heavy duty chrome bumper that is probably 3/8" thick steel, and it sits quite high as well, a bit higher than the new ones.]]> Sun, 04 Dec 2016 22:16:17 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9088&PID=85622#85622 Hitch care : Jato,You ought to get some sort... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9088&PID=85616#85616 Author: codycountry
Subject: 9088
Posted: 04 Dec 2016 at 9:19pm

Jato,

You ought to get some sort of deer hit stickers for the front left fender, like the WW2 airman had for their airplanes. You have earned them and it would look cool.

Remind me never to drive anywhere with you should the opportunity ever occur.

I don't think my new f150 will stand up nearly as well as your truck has to deer strikes. It would probably blow an airbag and break my glasses.

]]> Sun, 04 Dec 2016 21:19:01 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9088&PID=85616#85616 Hitch care : Been there, done that. After the... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9088&PID=85612#85612 Author: jato
Subject: 9088
Posted: 04 Dec 2016 at 7:40pm

Been there, done that. After the first couple strikes, I was told to turn them the opposite direction, made zero difference. Yes, these were auto deer whistles. Funny thing, this is really a Ford tough truck, although my front bumper kinda looks like a twisted pretzel, I have never had it in to a body shop, even after 31 kills. The worst damage I incurred was when I had just gotten the truck (company truck) and had it for 3 days. It was during the rut and about 25-35 yards ahead of me I counted over 20 deer crossing the road, so I came to a complete stop. During that time a deer came out of a cornfield on my left (traveling the opposite direction of the deer in front of me) and ran full tilt into the truck, just behind my door, made a pretty good size dent in the side. It was laying down on the pavement, moving around in circles, I thought for sure it broke its neck. As I got out of the truck, the doe proceeded to get up and limp off into the cornfield, as far as I know it lived. I took the truck to the owners and showed them the damage, they shuddered as they hadn't put insurance on it yet. I still am reminded of that hit today, as it never was fixed. I have hit mostly all does, only a few were bucks. Maybe I should try to get a few pics of this fine old truck and post it for you all to see. It is in pretty rough shape but still runs fine after 307,000 miles with a 5.0 L V-8 and manual stick shift.
]]> Sun, 04 Dec 2016 19:40:15 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9088&PID=85612#85612 Hitch care : Perhaps your deer whistles are... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9088&PID=85611#85611 Author: codycountry
Subject: 9088
Posted: 04 Dec 2016 at 6:57pm

Perhaps your deer whistles are working more like "wolf whistles" and actually attracting the deer?

Are you by chance hitting more doe deer than bucks?

Try turning them around and see if that changes anything then you'll know for sure.

You might have purchased the wrong kind of deer whistle..... I saw a show on one of those hunting channels about this.....there are auto deer whistles and there are hunting deer whistles.

I do feel your pain, my ex wife hit a deer on the way home from the auto body shop getting her repaired car back from hitting a deer.

We have nothing like you folks do for deer strikes, but one is too many.

Around here the two places that appreciate the Game and Fish department the most are the auto body shops and the taxidermists.

]]> Sun, 04 Dec 2016 18:57:33 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9088&PID=85611#85611 Hitch care : Oh boy you bring up a sore subject... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9088&PID=85608#85608 Author: jato
Subject: 9088
Posted: 04 Dec 2016 at 5:41pm

Oh boy you bring up a sore subject on deer whistles. After my 4th deer kill with my '94 F-150 I was told by some locals, put on a pair of deer whistles, that will prevent you from killing all our deer (I had 4 deer kills in 3 years). So I purchase and install them on the front bumper as per the instructions. I truly believe (and the guys who sold me on this idea are now convinced) that it only exasperated the problem. Like a trooper I continued to put on deer whistles on the front bumper after the previous deer kill would take them off. Long story short, with deer whistles I was able to kill an additional 7 deer in 3 years and was out the money to keep replacing them. So now here I sit with my '94 F-150 with 31 notches (deer kills) in the 18 years I have owned the truck. I travel between 30-35 mph on my way to work (at 5:05 - 5:15 am) and only travel 5 miles to get to work, yet with 1 exception all the deer hit have been in the morning on this 5 mile jaunt. And I'm not counting the ones I have hit and they limp/scamper/walk away. Yes, I have killed more with my truck than with my rifle, kind of embarrassing. At my place of employment the truck is appropriately called "deer slayer." AND . . . . no more deer whistles.
]]> Sun, 04 Dec 2016 17:41:58 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9088&PID=85608#85608 Hitch care : Thanks Tars, helpful enough...."Whether... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9088&PID=85597#85597 Author: Blue Highways
Subject: 9088
Posted: 04 Dec 2016 at 12:27pm

Thanks Tars, helpful enough....

"Whether dielectric grease really matters or not" ....kinda falls into the "deer whistle" category for me:

Q? Do deer whistles on your front bumper really emit a sound that causes them to hear you coming in advance, so as not to bound further into the range of your headlights????

Debatable I suppose.

So I've always spent the $8 or so, plus the 6 minutes to attach them to my various vehicles over the decades.

Previous to my first animal whistles, the only deer I ever hit was decades ago in the Sawtooth Mountains of Idaho with my young son on a camping trip in the old slant-six Dodge pickup.)

Still, after that early incident, no way to prove their effectiveness for my family's road trips since.

That's my story, and I'm sticking them to the bumper anyway.... Ermm

-B

]]> Sun, 04 Dec 2016 12:27:14 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9088&PID=85597#85597 Hitch care : There should be a sufficient ground... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9088&PID=85595#85595 Author: Tars Tarkas
Subject: 9088
Posted: 04 Dec 2016 at 11:26am

There should be a sufficient ground through the Bargman but I seem to recall a million years ago, trailer connections relied on the hitch for the ground, but no way I can document that now. I figure it can only help though. Dielectric grease is good but I don't know that it really matters. Maybe it does. How's that for helpful?

TT
]]> Sun, 04 Dec 2016 11:26:25 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9088&PID=85595#85595 Hitch care : Heh, everyone, interesting thread.... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9088&PID=85593#85593 Author: Blue Highways
Subject: 9088
Posted: 04 Dec 2016 at 11:06am

Heh, everyone, interesting thread. I'm trying to learn as much as I can here. After we reached about mile 5400 of our 7000-mile camping journey this year, I heard a new odd squeaky groaning sound as we rolled slowly over uneven ground into our campsite (at the Crescent City KOA under the big redwoods).

When I released the tow vehicle after setting up, the hitch ball was "dry" ...though I had lubed it with just standard axle grease at the beginning of the journey. There was also some very minor scruffed wear points on the sides of the ball, though maybe that is what happens anyway over time.

Then, somewhere (maybe not on this forum), I read that "Dialectic Grease" is the best choice to use on the hitch ball, as the trailer relies on "a ground" at this hitch point that benefits your TV's 12V charging circuit, plus all the 12V tailight/sidelight wiring, plus a good connection there discharges any static build-up from the road in very dry climates (which can have odd side-effects I guess).

Out in CA, I went ahead and bought a tube of Dielectric grease (which turned out to be not expensive and a much easier dispenser to use that my messy round tin of axle grease in a greasy zip-lock bag)... I figured it wouldn't hurt to use it, even if the "ground" information I heard is not accurate. Maybe, the electrical ground established by the trailer's hitch ball link from the vehicle to trailer is not present, or not relevant?

The positive end result for me was the WonderPod from that point on, stopped making squeaky/groaning sounds over lumpy camprgound access roads, based on the "lube your ball" view.

The benefits of making a more reliable "ground" point seemed like a convincing theory, so I wanted to run the validity of this across anyone with an electrical engineering background, or who is smart in electrical theory. Or even if you don't have electrical background, what is your view on this?

Brad & Layli

Wonderpod 179

towed by "BG"

(Baluga) the 10 Tundra

WesternNC

]]> Sun, 04 Dec 2016 11:06:36 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9088&PID=85593#85593 Hitch care : Good point, TheBum, will adjust:)... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9088&PID=85531#85531 Author: mcarter
Subject: 9088
Posted: 02 Dec 2016 at 5:18pm

Good point, TheBum, will adjust:)]]> Fri, 02 Dec 2016 17:18:21 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9088&PID=85531#85531 Hitch care : Originally posted by mcarterI... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9088&PID=85530#85530 Author: TheBum
Subject: 9088
Posted: 02 Dec 2016 at 5:16pm

Originally posted by mcarter

I know it sounds "country" but I've known folks who use soap bars, the little pieces that you can never figure out what to do with. Regardless, I agree you should lubricate your hitch ball. AND use WD40 or like to lube your TT locking mechanism. If you don't think there is friction try a painted hitch ball. The paint will be gone.

WD-40 is not a lube. It's a water repellant. Tri-Flo oil is a pretty good all-around synthetic lubricant.]]> Fri, 02 Dec 2016 17:16:15 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9088&PID=85530#85530 Hitch care : I did find "greaseless"... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9088&PID=85529#85529 Author: mcarter
Subject: 9088
Posted: 02 Dec 2016 at 5:16pm

I did find "greaseless" hitch balls at etrailer, that have replaceable nylon caps on the ball, they were for the "Rapid Hitches".]]> Fri, 02 Dec 2016 17:16:09 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9088&PID=85529#85529 Hitch care : I know it sounds "country"... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9088&PID=85527#85527 Author: mcarter
Subject: 9088
Posted: 02 Dec 2016 at 5:08pm

I know it sounds "country" but I've known folks who use soap bars, the little pieces that you can never figure out what to do with. Regardless, I agree you should lubricate your hitch ball. AND use WD40 or like to lube your TT locking mechanism. If you don't think there is friction try a painted hitch ball. The paint will be gone.]]> Fri, 02 Dec 2016 17:08:10 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9088&PID=85527#85527 Hitch care : Originally posted by furpodYou... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9088&PID=85498#85498 Author: TheBum
Subject: 9088
Posted: 01 Dec 2016 at 6:02pm

Originally posted by furpod

You can also buy a self lubricating ball. We have run one for the last 3 years, very happy with it.

I looked for one this afternoon with Google's help and couldn't find a 2" one that would work with a regular hitch bar. The only ones that would were 1-7/8".]]> Thu, 01 Dec 2016 18:02:55 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9088&PID=85498#85498 Hitch care : When we first got our R-Pod, I... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9088&PID=85489#85489 Author: StephenH
Subject: 9088
Posted: 01 Dec 2016 at 2:56pm

When we first got our R-Pod, I did not grease the hitch ball. Even on the first trip home, I noticed wear on the ball. That is when I decided I had better lubricate it. I put grease on it before hitching. When I unhitch, I take a couple of paper towels and wipe the dirty grease off. Then I put a rubber hitch ball cover on.

Next time I get ready to hook the hitch up, I'll have to get a picture of the wear.
]]> Thu, 01 Dec 2016 14:56:12 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9088&PID=85489#85489 Hitch care : 28 years of trailer towing here,... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9088&PID=85478#85478 Author: techntrek
Subject: 9088
Posted: 01 Dec 2016 at 1:47pm

28 years of trailer towing here, and I've never lubricated the hitch ball or the sway bar ball (when I had one). I've never noticed any wear, or noise from those locations (only from the intentional friction points).

If you leave the ball in place now you have a greasy ball where you'll walk into it. My father greases his ball and after borrowing his utility trailer last week I left my ball on and sure enough, my wife leaned over it in a white shirt...

That said, if you do grease the ball there are ways of covering it when you are unhitched.]]> Thu, 01 Dec 2016 13:47:10 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9088&PID=85478#85478 Hitch care : Originally posted by TheBumI... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9088&PID=85449#85449 Author: StephenH
Subject: 9088
Posted: 30 Nov 2016 at 11:06pm

Originally posted by TheBum

I wonder if those Sway Bracket Jackets would fit the Fastway E2 L-brackets.

They might fit. The Equal-i-zer web site (Progress Industries makes both the Equal-i-zer and the Fastway E2) states not to lubricate the brackets on the E2 as the friction of the bars and brackets are the only sway control the E2 has. The Sway Bracket Jacket does reduce friction some also, but the Equal-i-zer also has the hitch head and bar pivot points as part of the sway control also. I did not really notice too much difference with and without them except that it is a lot quieter with them.

I would address the question to the manufacturer. That would be the best and most accurate information on whether they can be used or not.
]]> Wed, 30 Nov 2016 23:06:15 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9088&PID=85449#85449 Hitch care : Hmm - I've never considered... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9088&PID=85439#85439 Author: Bama Pod
Subject: 9088
Posted: 30 Nov 2016 at 6:52pm

Hmm - I've never considered that I need to lubricate my balls.

Now on my TODO list. Thx.

]]> Wed, 30 Nov 2016 18:52:08 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9088&PID=85439#85439 Hitch care : Thank you all for your help. https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9088&PID=85433#85433 Author: kansasfrogs
Subject: 9088
Posted: 30 Nov 2016 at 5:43pm

Thank you all for your help. ]]> Wed, 30 Nov 2016 17:43:14 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9088&PID=85433#85433 Hitch care : You can also buy a self lubricating... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9088&PID=85432#85432 Author: furpod
Subject: 9088
Posted: 30 Nov 2016 at 5:41pm

You can also buy a self lubricating ball. We have run one for the last 3 years, very happy with it.]]> Wed, 30 Nov 2016 17:41:32 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9088&PID=85432#85432 Hitch care : Just on caveat. If you have the... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9088&PID=85430#85430 Author: Shelpod
Subject: 9088
Posted: 30 Nov 2016 at 5:01pm

Just on caveat. If you have the Andersen WHD you should not lubricate the ball. The manual specifically warns against it since the ball is locked in place above and below when the hitch is fully set up and there is a sleeve that the ball post sits in that acts as part of the sway dampening system.]]> Wed, 30 Nov 2016 17:01:13 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9088&PID=85430#85430 Hitch care : I wonder if those Sway Bracket... https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9088&PID=85429#85429 Author: TheBum
Subject: 9088
Posted: 30 Nov 2016 at 3:56pm

I wonder if those Sway Bracket Jackets would fit the Fastway E2 L-brackets.]]> Wed, 30 Nov 2016 15:56:26 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9088&PID=85429#85429 Hitch care : +1 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9088&PID=85428#85428 Author: Leo B
Subject: 9088
Posted: 30 Nov 2016 at 3:51pm

+1]]> Wed, 30 Nov 2016 15:51:59 +0000 https://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9088&PID=85428#85428