Winter hitch lock

[danmp]

Hello,

I'm looking for a lock for the Hitch that won't seize up during the winter. I've tried a Master stainless steel lock, but it will eventually seize up and it will not unlock.

thank you

 

[R/T_Fire]

Don't have any experience with them seizing up due to winter conditions but treating it with WD-40 helps. Used to do the same with all my locks, tool box, hitch etc etc when working in the field the dust reeks havoc on them too. WD-40 or a silicon slip spray helps keep rust and such from setting in and things lubricated to operate.

 

[DannyMK2]

grease the lock mechanism. problem solved

 

[TerraNewf]

I have to agree with R/T_Fire, WD-40 works excellent

 

[-B-]

never use liquids in a lock use dry lock lube IE graphite

wd is neither an oil or a lube it is a water displacement with mostly solvent and little oil

 

[averageguy]

I have used WD-40 in hitch locks, door locks, house door knobs, trailer jacks, trailer latch, and pretty much everything that slides, turns or moves in any way. It displaces water and frees rust and corrosion. Its good for things that that are hard to access like the inside of a lock. The trick is to apply regularly and preferably when turning, opening and closing what ever you put it on. Other products are good too it all depends on what you are using them on.

 

[SitKneelBend]

I use WD-40 as a cure, and dry lubricants as preventative maintenance.

Sent from my HTC One M9 using Tapatalk

 

[Rlaf75]

The master lock stainless I used (bought at walmart) was in my nissan continuously for about 7 years. I traded the nissan in for my Ram so I tried to remove the receiver but it was rusted so bad the I could not remove it. The stainless hitch lock unlocked and was taken out without any struggle or anything. In fact I still use it in the Ram. My hitch lock had a rubber cover for the key hole end which was always on it so that it stayed dry.

 

[Padilen]

I don't even know the brand of mine. I've had it so long. I use anti seize on my hitch/receiver. I don't think the best welder could weld as well as a rusted seized hitch. I had my hitch and pin rust in my 1 ton and had to be to torched out, even with anti seize. I had a dump box and used truck as plow truck so the back was always snow and ice covered.

 

[MADDOG]

Use graphite in the lock mechanism. It won't freeze.

 

[tsc]

Sounds stupid. But....


What about removing the ball mount and lock after every use? Wipe down and allow it to dry. Spray the lock with graphite every now and then

I left my ball mount and Master lock pin in one winter and it rusted the inside of the receiver (This is after a few years of removing and storing after every use--never had problems when I did that).

Ever since I left the ball mount inside the receiver, I had to wire brush the inside and liberally coat it with Breakfree CLP constantly (In retrospect, I should of cleaned it real good and spray painted it).

I learned never to leave my ball mount in for prolonged periods of time, especially in the salt...errrr. Winter season.

 

[Andy578]

Sounds stupid. But....


What about removing the ball mount and lock after every use? Wipe down and allow it to dry. Spray the lock with graphite every now and then

I left my ball mount and Master lock pin in one winter and it rusted the inside of the receiver (This is after a few years of removing and storing after every use--never had problems when I did that).

Ever since I left the ball mount inside the receiver, I had to wire brush the inside and liberally coat it with Breakfree CLP constantly (In retrospect, I should of cleaned it real good and spray painted it).

I learned never to leave my ball mount in for prolonged periods of time, especially in the salt...errrr. Winter season.

last year my neighbour bought an old 97 ram diesel with a ball mount stuck in it. the last owner had apparently left in it there since the day he bought it new and that damn thing won't even budge. heat + sledge hammer did nothing so he even chained up to a big tree(against my advice) which also did nothing so he's gonna need a new hitch. after trying to deal with that mine is almost never left in and if it is it's only for a day or 2

 

[SitKneelBend]

I bought this for my tow hitch step on the advise of another forum user. It gets keyed to your truck key on first use so no extra universal keys and it's completely encapsulated in rubber.

Bolt Lock BLT7018448 5/8'' Receiver Lock https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005FNKFY8/ref=cm_sw_r_other_awd_6PwIwbVSTFDHG

Sent from my HTC One M9 using Tapatalk

 

[Padilen]

Sounds stupid. But....


What about removing the ball mount and lock after every use? Wipe down and allow it to dry. Spray the lock with graphite every now and then

I left my ball mount and Master lock pin in one winter and it rusted the inside of the receiver (This is after a few years of removing and storing after every use--never had problems when I did that).

Ever since I left the ball mount inside the receiver, I had to wire brush the inside and liberally coat it with Breakfree CLP constantly (In retrospect, I should of cleaned it real good and spray painted it).

I learned never to leave my ball mount in for prolonged periods of time, especially in the salt...errrr. Winter season.

It's a tow /hook up point. It would be hard to stick it in without a torch to melt out the snow and ice. But I usually had one with me as my hitch was a pintle/combo. My 1 ton plow truck was my one and only seize so out of 35+ years. I still believe the way the back of truck was contributed.

 

[tsc]

It's a tow /hook up point. It would be hard to stick it in without a torch to melt out the snow and ice. But I usually had one with me as my hitch was a pintle/combo. My 1 ton plow truck was my one and only seize so out of 35+ years. I still believe the way the back of truck was contributed.

I haven't looked at mine. Is the back end open?

I've got a rubber plug (like this http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0..._m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0JAR9QX9XZYG5AKVT9JA ). Didn't have an issue on my old Ford--for the few times I did tow in the winter weather, the rubber plug kept everything out and putting the ball mount in wasn't an issue. But I can't say if it's an issue with my Ram, with this mild winter.

I guess, if the rear is open, one can also cover it with electrical tape or another rubber hitch plug (will it fit with the spare tire??). And for the hitch pin holes. Just use a regular hitch pin with a cotter pin. Until you hook something up, that needs to be locked. (everyone should be carrying a spare hitch pin anyway, in case the locking one fails---that has happened to me, I lost the lock end on the road somewhere).

I guess it's all about needs/purpose. I don't normally tow in the winter, so I have no need to leave my ball mount in the winter.

 

[Padilen]

Sold it in 2009, but I believe it was.