Trailer Hitch Woes

[SMSW]

The receiver on my car routinely rusts, preventing me from inserting the ball mount. When new, the mount slipped in easily. Now I have to grind off the rust inside that 2" square tube more than once a year. I bought one of those HF 1/2" band sanders and go at this in order to be able to tow my trailer. This is a dirty, messy, nasty job and includes crawling under the car to attack the open front end of the receiver tube as well as from the open, rear end. I wear overalls, a mask, eye and ear protection and still get covered with rust dust. Afterward I spray primer and paint on/in the receiver, but the first time I use the hitch that paint is gone.

I've seen enough ball mounts firmly rusted into the receiver to know this is a widespread problem, but I value my shins too much to keep the mount on the car.

Does anyone have any other way of dealing with this problem?

 

[Obo]

Coat of never seize in the receiver?

 

[Paul]

Take a look at Fluid film. A bit smelly and messy to use from the spray can but it works.
https://www.fluid-film.com/
or move to Arizona.

LPS 3 is another good protectant. https://www.amazon.com/s?k=lps+3&crid=2RCIDPR34LFY3&sprefix=%2Caps%2C225&ref=nb_sb_ss_recent_1_0_recent

 

[skidlid1300]

You don’t go around with a hitch cover on do you? That makes them rust up in a hurry. I have used boiled linseed oil to coat the inside of my box frame on my hand built ‘77Jeep CJ7. The linseed oil hardens, like a pine resin and coat the metal. I use an old garden hand pump sprayer. Just an idea.

 

[Jay547]

Wow, I've been using trailers and hitch carriers since 2000 and have never had this problem. I didn't even know it was one.

Someone mentioned Fluid Film. It's a good product. I use it for a lot of other stuff.

 

[ibike2havefun]

Simple but potentially messy: after pulling the ball mount, maybe slather it with grease and reinsert into the receiver, so the inside of the square hase a coat of grease?

I've not had the problem, and have used a hitch cover (rubberized plastic insert that fits snugly the last couple inches of the square, with a wide flange that acts as a cap over the open end) since I got the rig 7 years ago. I never leave the ball mount in when not actively towing.

 

[ibike2havefun]

You don’t go around with a hitch cover on do you? That makes them rust up in a hurry. I have used boiled linseed oil to coat the inside of my box frame on my hand built ‘77Jeep CJ7. The linseed oil hardens, like a pine resin and coat the metal. I use an old garden hand pump sprayer. Just an idea.

Boiled linseed oil may be the best solution posted yet... easy to apply and once dry pretty tough and durable.

 

[catcher]

Stuff an oily rag into the receiver when not in use!

 

[SMSW]

Wow, I've been using trailers and hitch carriers since 2000 and have never had this problem. I didn't even know it was one.

I suspect they don't spread salt or spray brine laced with sugar on the roads in Oklahoma. I have Fluid Film. Might try it.

Boiled linseed oil may be the best solution posted yet... easy to apply and once dry pretty tough and durable.

I tend to agree w/ you. I think I'll grind the receiver clean, linseed it, and when that stuff cures, spray Fluid Film on it. Grease sounds too messy. Just my luck after greasing it either my wife or I will lift something into the back of our SUV and get grease all over our pants.

You don’t go around with a hitch cover on do you? TI have used boiled linseed oil to coat the inside of my box frame on my hand built ‘77Jeep CJ7. The linseed oil hardens, like a pine resin and coat the metal. I use an old garden hand pump sprayer. Just an idea.

I have a quart of BLO. Going to try that. I used to have a plastic cover, but this receiver is open at both ends and the cover I had was absolutely not waterproof. The winter chemicals are murder on exposed steel, and after the paint wore off inside the receiver, it was open season for rust.

Coat of never seize in the receiver?

I always joke that if you are working on your bike or car, and use anti seize, five minutes later there will be a silvery dab on your right ear, another on your left cheek, some on both hands, and maybe some on your forehead. I don't want to think where it will migrate to if I paint the receiver with it.

 

[skidlid1300]

Wow, I've been using trailers and hitch carriers since 2000 and have never had this problem. I didn't even know it was one.

Someone mentioned Fluid Film. It's a good product. I use it for a lot of other stuff.

I don't ever have a cover on my truck for the hitch. Especially those kind with a lynch pin going through it. With that cover on, the receiver rusts up pretty quick. I have torched out a few over the years.

 

[Sadlsor]

I always joke that if you are working on your bike or car, and use anti seize, five minutes later there will be a silvery dab on your right ear, another on your left cheek, some on both hands, and maybe some on your forehead.

It's not a joke.

 

[SMSW]

It's not a joke.

You should try a bucket of roof cement.