Where to Lubricate a Reese Pro Series 16K 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch and what Grease to Use

Updated 05/31/2020 | Published 04/25/2016

Products Featured in This Question

Reese 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch - Dual Jaw - 16,000 lbs

(390)

$494.92

LubriMatic White Lithium Grease - 14 oz. Cartridge

(75)

$11.20

Reese 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch Cover

(89)

$54.93

Question:

Hi, eTrailer - you guys have been super helpful to us in the past with our hitches - thank you! Lately our Reese 16K Pro Series hitch is hard to open. It is hard to pull the handle, and it is sometimes very hard to get the hitch to disengage from the kingpin. We have a fresh lube plate on the kingpin. Are there other parts of this hitch I should be lubricating? I have looked for the answer to this on the website - apologies if I have missed it. We are being careful to relieve all the pressure on the hitch vertical and front-to back before attempting to open the jaws and disengage the hitch. Your thoughts appreciated!

asked by: Lisa C

Expert Reply:

It does sound like the hitch needs to be lubricated. You can lubricate the moving parts with automotive chassis grease or a white lithium grease such as # L11354. There are also white lithium grease sprays that you could use. After lubricating the hitch you should actuate the handle a few times so the grease gets in the nooks and crannies.

You could then use hitch head cover # RP30055 to help keep out moisture and dust/dirt when not using the hitch.

expert reply by: Michael H

Ray L.

5/28/2020

Where are the grease zerks on a 16K Pro Series 5th wheel?

Chris R.

5/31/2020

I don't believe there are any integrated grease zerks on the Pro Series 16K Hitch. You'll just lubricate the skid plate surface of the hitch (or use a lube plate like # 16721) and use some engine oil to lubricate the pivot points of any moving parts within the hitch.