How to Lubricate a Weight Distribution Hitch

Lubricating your weight distribution hitch is a crucial maintenance task that ensures smooth towing and extends the lifespan of your system. Proper lubrication minimizes wear and tear, prevents annoying squeaking sounds, and keeps your towing experience trouble-free.

In this guide, we’ll cover the following:

• Why lubrication is important
• How to lubricate the right way
• Some maintenance best practices to consider
• Things to check before you tow

This guide talks specifically about the CURT TruTrack weight distribution hitch. However, the principles we’ll share can be applied to many different hitches. Remember to always abide by the specific instructions and recommendations of your hitch manufacturer.

Weight distribution (WD) hitches experience a lot of stress and movement during towing. Without proper lubrication, friction between the metal parts can lead to excessive wear, noise, and even damage. This is why weight distribution lubrication is so important.

Lubricating your hitch:

• Reduces friction between moving parts
• Prevents squeaking and grinding sounds (this can get really obnoxious, especially on long trips!)
• Promotes a long lifespan of your WD hitch by preventing metal-on-metal damage
• Enhances safety by ensuring smoother towing

The first step to lubricating your WD hitch is to gather the proper tools for the job. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Grease gun (if your hitch has grease zerks)
• High-quality grease (designed for metal-on-metal contact)
• Brush or spray lubricant
• Clean cloth for wiping away old grease

A grease zerk, also known as a grease fitting, is a small component that allows grease to be injected into a mechanical part under pressure. Many modern WD hitches have grease zerks located on the arm sockets, as part of the head assembly, making it easy to lubricate internal moving parts without disassembling the hitch.

Regularly lubricating through the grease zerks ensures the hitch’s internal components stay in good working order and reduces the chances of wear or failure.

If your WD hitch is equipped with grease zerks, these small fittings are designed to accept grease from a grease gun. Grease zerks are usually located on the back of the arm sockets. Fit the end of the grease gun firmly onto each zerk and squeeze the lever to inject fresh grease.

If your WD hitch does not have grease zerks, you can apply grease manually around the arm sockets with a brush.

Either way, we recommend keeping a clean cloth or paper towels handy to clean up any excess.

Next, use a brush or spray lubricant to apply grease to the spring bar connections. Each WD hitch is a little different, but virtually all have a point at which the spring bars connect to the hitch head. Usually this connection point has a swivel capability that allows the bar / arm to pivot within the head. It’s important to keep this contact point clean and lubricated.

On many TruTrack models, the spring bar connection points feature cam bearings. It’s critical to keep these cams properly lubricated for quiet and efficient towing. Brush-on or spray-on lube can be applied in the same way.

Be sure to wipe off any excess grease to prevent dirt and grime buildup.

In addition to a head attachment point, the spring bars on a WD hitch also have a trailer attachment point. The bars mount onto the frame using hookup brackets, and because these brackets pivot to engage the spring bars, they need lubrication.

Apply grease with a brush or spray it onto each hookup bracket, making sure to cover all areas that are subject to movement. Clean up any excess with your clean rag.

Depending on the model, a weight distribution hitch may use one or multiple hitch pins to secure the various components and secure the shank in the receiver on your vehicle. As these pins get exposed to the elements, they can get built up with grime and corrosion, making it difficult to insert or remove them as needed.

Apply a light layer of grease to the hitch pins before inserting them to help keep operation smooth.

Apply a light layer of grease on the trailer ball of your WD hitch before hooking up your vehicle. Because the ball-coupler connection is the immediate contact point between vehicle and trailer, this area is subject to a lot of movement. Lightly greasing the ball can keep towing smooth and quiet, and it helps ensure a more stress-free disconnect when unhooking your trailer.

Great job! You’ve successfully lubricated your weight distribution hitch. Remember to always follow the manufacturer’s instructions provided with your specific hitch. Also, lubrication should be reapplied periodically, depending on your towing frequency and road conditions. Reapplying grease at regular intervals helps extend the life of your WD hitch and keeps it operating smoothly.

To ensure the longevity of your WD hitch, here are some additional best practices to keep in mind:

Maintaining a clean weight distribution hitch is essential for ensuring optimal performance and longevity. Over time, road grime, dirt, and moisture can accumulate on the hitch components, leading to corrosion and potential damage if left unchecked. Before applying any lubrication, it’s important to thoroughly clean your hitch.

Use a clean cloth or a soft brush to wipe away old grease, dirt, and debris from all hitch components, especially around the arm sockets, cam bearings, and spring bar support brackets. This prevents contaminants from mixing with fresh grease, which could compromise lubrication effectiveness.

Regularly inspecting your weight distribution hitch for wear is also critical to ensuring safe and efficient towing. The hitch components are subject to significant stress during every towing trip, so catching early signs of wear can prevent potential failures and costly repairs down the road. Here’s what to look for when inspecting your hitch:

Check for Cracks or Fractures

Closely examine high-stress areas, such as the arm sockets, shank, and spring bars, for any visible cracks or fractures. Even small hairline cracks can worsen over time, leading to structural failure. If you notice any cracks, replace the affected parts immediately.

Look for Excessive Wear on Moving Parts

Moving parts like the arm sockets and cam bearings can wear down over time, especially if they’re not lubricated regularly. Signs of excessive wear include metal shavings, deep grooves, or a loose fit. If you notice significant wear, it may be time to replace those parts.

Inspect the Spring Bars

The spring bars play a crucial role in distributing the weight of your trailer. Check them for any signs of bending, cracking, or unusual wear. Proper tension is essential for their function, so make sure they aren’t showing any signs of fatigue.

Check for Rust & Corrosion

Rust and corrosion can weaken the metal parts of your hitch, making them less reliable. Pay particular attention to areas that are exposed to the elements, such as the hitch head and the frame brackets. If you find rust, remove it with a wire brush and apply a rust-inhibiting coating or lubricant to protect the metal.

Ensure Bolts & Fasteners Are Tight

Loose bolts or fasteners can lead to poor towing performance and can be dangerous. As part of your inspection, check all fasteners for proper torque, including those securing the hitch head, shank, and ball mount. Use a torque wrench to ensure they are tightened to the manufacturer’s specifications.

Proper storage of your weight distribution hitch is just as important as routine cleaning and inspection. When not in use, how you store your hitch can significantly impact its longevity and performance. Exposure to the elements — such as rain, snow, dirt, and UV rays — can lead to corrosion, rust, and damage to critical components over time.

Cover or Remove the Hitch

If you leave the hitch attached to your vehicle when not in use, consider covering it with a weatherproof cover to protect it from rain, UV exposure, and debris. Alternatively, it’s a good idea to remove the hitch and store it indoors, especially during extended periods of non-use or during the off-season. This will shield it from harsh weather conditions, minimizing rust and wear.

Store in a Dry, Cool Environment

When storing your hitch indoors, choose a dry and cool location, such as a garage or shed. Humid environments can promote rust and corrosion, especially on exposed metal parts. If you live in a particularly humid area, consider using moisture absorbers in your storage space to reduce humidity levels.

Disassemble Key Components

For added protection, disassemble key components of the hitch, such as the spring bars, shank, and ball mount, before storing them. By doing so, you can easily clean and lubricate each part before placing it in storage, ensuring it's ready for future use. Storing parts separately can also help prevent scratching or damage caused by rubbing metal parts together.

Apply Protective Coatings

Before storing, apply a light coat of rust-inhibiting spray or a silicone-based lubricant to all metal surfaces. This adds an extra layer of protection against corrosion and keeps components lubricated for their next use. Make sure to wipe off excess lubricant to avoid attracting dust and dirt.

Elevate the Hitch

When storing the hitch, avoid placing it directly on the ground. Dirt and moisture from the floor can accelerate corrosion. Instead, store the hitch on a shelf or hang it on a wall rack to keep it clean and dry.

Before you hit the road, ensure everything is securely connected and functioning properly. Here’s a quick checklist to follow:

• Hitch pin & clip
  Make sure the hitch pin and clip are securely in place, securing the shank to the receiver.
• Head to shank fasteners
  Check that all fasteners connecting the head to the shank are tightened.
• Trailer ball nut
  Ensure the trailer ball nut is securely fastened.
• Coupler latch
  Verify the coupler latch is locked and secure.
• Spring bar support brackets
  Ensure the spring bar brackets are properly positioned and secured.
• Safety chains
  Cross the safety chains under the trailer tongue and connect them to the vehicle.
• Lights and turn signals
  Confirm all lights, including brake lights and turn signals, are functioning.
• Braking system
  Check the braking system, including the breakaway switch, for proper operation.

By following these lubrication and maintenance tips, as well as performing regular checks before towing, you’ll ensure a safe and smooth towing experience every time.

Lubrication isn’t just about comfort — it’s essential for safety, performance, and protecting your investment. Stay proactive with your weight distribution hitch, and it will serve you well for many years.

Disclaimer: These photographs, recommendations, and approximations are intended for demonstration purposes only and do not reflect the specifications of any particular tow vehicle, recreational vehicle, or trailer. Always consult the manufacturer’s Owner's Manual.