Tips on Lubricating a Reese 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch and Hitching Up to a Trailer

Updated 05/30/2020 | Published 07/10/2011

Products Featured in This Question

LubriMatic Multi-Purpose Lithium Grease - 16 oz. Can

(44)

$7.94

LubriMatic White Lithium Grease - 14 oz. Cartridge

(75)

$11.38

Lube Plate for Elite Series and Reese 5th Wheel Trailer Hitches - 12" Diameter

(231)

$18.72

Question:

The grease fitting on top of the skid plate...what does that lube? Does it lube the jaw or the center section? How often should it be lubed? White Lithium Grease acceptable? Recently the jaw has only been self latching halfway. I have to manually close it the remainder of the way. Not sure if its just the nature of the way I have been hitching or if something needs to be lubed. The instructions manual is a little vague on what to lube, with what type of lube and frequency. The hitch is only 6 months old..thank you!

asked by: Greg

Expert Reply:

The grease fitting that is on top of the head unit on your Reese 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch, # RP30084, is used to lubricate the pivot points of the jaws. Using a lithium grease, # L11354, is acceptable. You will also want to lubricate the jaw itself, and the skid plate. For the skid place, if you want you can use a Lube Plate, # RP83001, or use automotive grade chassis grease like # L11316.

The hitch should be lubricated and checked for proper function before each trip. If the jaws are not closing all of the way, there could be some dirt or debris in the mechanism that will need to be cleared out before it will function properly. You will want to avoid towing until the issue is resolved.

When hitching up to the trailer, the head should be tilted down toward the rear of the truck. You will want to have the bottom of the pin box on the trailer 1/2 inch to 1 inch below the the top of the head at the point where the skid plate meets the ramp. This will allow the trailer pin box to go up the ramp and seat in the hitch properly.

I have included some installation instructions that are for a different hitch, but it uses the same head. It covers all the lubrication points and there is a section on hitching up to the trailer that should help as well.

expert reply by: Michael H

Phil B.

5/27/2020

Can you use a light lubricant on the rail of a reese hitch that can move forward or reverse?

Chris R.

5/30/2020

Yes, the slider tubes/rails of the Reese can (and should) be lubricated with an all-purpose grease as needed. You'll coat the top and side surfaces of the slide tube and roller holes.