How Long Does a 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch Lube Plate Last

Published 04/02/2014

Question:

How often do you change the lube plate? How long does it normally last?

asked by: James H

Helpful Expert Reply:

I spoke with my contact at Reese regarding the lube plate # RP83002 and its lifespan. He said that there is no set duration it is good for. This is because it all depends on the weight of the trailer, how much you tow the trailer, and the terrain you will be towing the trailer on.

A heavier trailer towed frequently on dusty back roads would cause the plate to wear out faster than a light trailer towed infrequently on pavement.

You will want to look at the plate before hooking up and if it is getting tore up then there is likely debris between the plate and hitch or plate and pin box on the trailer. Cleaning up the debris will help prevent it from getting worse. But it will be obvious if it needs to be replaced.

expert reply by: Michael H