What's Good Grease for a 5th Wheel

[alltoys]

So what are you disk guys using to lube the pin and hitch jaws? There is more to this than just the plate lube. I figure if I need to grease part of it I will grease all of it. And to the OP, any good EP grease seems to be good. Back in my days of driving the big ones the fifth wheels just got chassis lube and it lasted just fine.

I use a silicone spray for the moving parts and the lube plate for the disc. The silicone doesn't attract dirt, box stays clean.

 

[Willl]

Commmerical is a little different. I wouldn't think a lube plate would last too long on a commercial rig.

The commercial rigs use them too.

 

[wushaw]

The commercial rigs use them too.

What about the plates with the groves? How does the disk hold up? Or is it only used on a smooth plate.

 

[Willl]

Grooves ?, if ya mean like these grease recessions in this plate, then ya, even grooved.
But I've never seen anything groovier.
http://www.gasgoo.com/resource/product/E334976948711825832EF52AE7D0CDCA_1.jpg

 

[Trucker1]

Lube plates work great. We have trailers 10+ yrs old, 1.5+ million miles hauling 100k lbs. ---plates have never been replaced, and don't need to be. BTW, the 5th wheels on our trucks all have grease grooves. You still need to lube jaws and pins, though. Regular chassis grease is fine. Any grease is fine.

 

[Crash101]

My fifth wheel don't leave home without the lube plate. the pin gets greased occasionally.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

My fifth wheel don't leave home without the lube plate. the pin gets greased occasionally.

Thanks for all the replies.

Next Question: How do you apply the grease? I tossed a mini grease gun into the battery box of the trailer, and I just put a few pumps around the plate when I hitch it. Is there a better way?

 

[Trucker1]

That will work fine. I have seen some people spread it out with a wide putty knife, but that's not necessary.

 

[kevinj]

That will work fine. I have seen some people spread it out with a wide putty knife, but that's not necessary.

Squirt the grease on the lower half, the trailer will spread it out !

 

[Crash101]

Thanks for all the replies.

Next Question: How do you apply the grease? I tossed a mini grease gun into the battery box of the trailer, and I just put a few pumps around the plate when I hitch it. Is there a better way?

Sorry I didn't see your question earlier. The "Lube Plate" is not grease at all, rather it's a Teflon disk about 1/4 inch thick and either 10 or 12 inches in diameter (depending on which hitch it's to be used with). It sticks on your trailer's hitch and act as a permanent lube. Works great and believe me, beats applying messy grease. I pull my 5th wheel all over the country and don't carry grease. I occasionally dab some on the pin itself when I'm home but sure don't have to worry greasing my fifth wheel hitch. Greasing that thing seems a little like hand cranking your automobile. There's a better way.