How to Care For Your Trailer’s Hitch

Trailers are useful for any number of jobs or chores, from construction on down to moving day. But the trailer is only useful if you can hitch it properly, and that means taking good care of the hitch itself. We here at Countryside Trailer Sales want to help you get the most out of your tools, so we’ve put together some basic tips for how to care for your trailer’s hitch, below. To learn more, or to see the trailers we have for sale, contact our store in Spring, Texas, today!

1: Remove All Grease

When going through these steps, you need a clear view of your hitch and should clean off all grease and debris. This lets you inspect for damage and excessive wear, but also helps prevent old grease from settling and attracting more dirt. You’ll have to add grease at the end of the process to replace it, but old grease can interfere with new grease.

2: Inspect for Damage

Like we mentioned, you’ll want to give your hitch a thorough visual examination to see if there’s any damage or excessive wear. Test any moving parts to ensure they have their full range of motion, as corrosion and rust can build up and cause these parts to stiffen or malfunction. That can be incredibly dangerous on the road, so if you find any evidence of serious corrosion, replace the affected parts before driving with that hitch again.

3: Replace Liners

If you’re using a gooseneck-style hinge, you’ll want to replace your truck bed’s liners regularly. Check the bracket liner thickness whenever you’re conducting related maintenance and replace any that are worn down or broken.

4: Re-Grease

With the old grease gone and all other maintenance finished, it’s time to lubricate all the moving parts of the hitch, again. Use a water-resistant lithium grease on any parts that connect the trailer to the tow vehicle, and to a king-pin lock if you have one. Next, use a light oil on all other moving parts.

5: Prevent Future Issues

Finally, there are a few steps you can take to help avoid needing to conduct these maintenance steps too often. First, any time your hitch is sitting still for a long period of time, make sure the hitch and receiver are both protected from the elements. Hitch covers can work wonders in preventing water, dirt, and debris from gathering on the hitch. You should also cover the tongue to avoid the same issues.

We hope these tips help keep your trailer as busy as you need it to be! For more information, or if you require any hitch maintenance assistance, contact us at Countryside Trailer Sales. We proudly serve the people of Houston and The Woodlands, Texas—let us serve you today!