Hitch wear

[medwards]

Recently New to rv ing. Have hideout 26 LHSWE, tow with ram 2500 diesel use fast way 2 e weight distribution hitch. Went on trip of about 1500 miles and when came home I noticed some wear inside round bar sockets on hitch also some on round bars. Is this normal or do I need to readjust hitch? Thoughts

[nicky8668]

As you said you have a 3/4 ton, then I assume you have a 2.5” receiver. If you use a 2.5”-2” reducer and a 2” shank to tow, then the wear is common. The hitch will always have some play, but adding a reduced will increase that dramatically, which put a lot stress to the pin. If you go to the ford super duty forum, you’ll see a lot guys use the OEM reducer and end up ovaled the pin hole. I started with a reducer and 2” shank, I also realize some minor wear after a 200 miles trip, and I immediately upgraded to the equalizer 2.5” WDH and a hitch clamp. My original reducer setup has almost 1” play side to side measuring from the hitch ball, that’s going to be a foot of sway transferring to the back of the trailer. You may also feel some sway if your pin hole wear that bad.

If your pin hole get ovaled really bad, replace the receiver or find a machine shop weld the hold and drill a new one. The equalizer 2.5” shank is expensive, I was recommended by a trailer shop to simply weld a reducer sleeve to my original 2” shank. Hope this help.

[mokurt]

It is recommended to grease the holes for the bars to reduce wear.
If you don't the wear will increase dramatically.

The hitch bar holes and bar posts will wear over time.

I just sold an old Draw Tite WDH that had significant wear in the bar holes.They were oblong but the function of the hitch still worked.

[kdauto]

Originally Posted by medwards

Recently New to rv ing. Have hideout 26 LHSWE, tow with ram 2500 diesel use fast way 2 e weight distribution hitch. Went on trip of about 1500 miles and when came home I noticed some wear inside round bar sockets on hitch also some on round bars. Is this normal or do I need to readjust hitch? Thoughts

If I understand correctly, you are worried about wear on the ball and socket part of the hitch where the weight distribution (torsion) bars pivot on turns? Those WILL wear out eventually. Most hitches have a small orifice on the top of the socket part and specify to lube regularly. It's hard to judge the amount of wear. You can upload a picture or two to give us a better idea. Some cast iron sockets are kinda rough and have casting slag that will wear quickly at first.

Those things should last 100 000 miles or more if used and lubed properly.

[Jack Klompus]

What kind of lubricant is typically used where the round bars insert in to the WDH?

I use white lithium on the ball itself.

[mokurt]

Originally Posted by Jack Klompus

What kind of lubricant is typically used where the round bars insert in to the WDH?
I use white lithium on the ball itself.

I use what ever wheel bearing grease I have on hand.