Rusty receiver-need suggestions

[lakelover]

I have a U-Haul class 2 hitch, two actually on two different cars, but I've had this problem with both. I use my trailers infrequently, mostly during the summer.<br /><br />This weekend I was going to tow my boat home for the season. When I went to put the draw bar in the receiver, it wouldn't go in more than an inch or so because of built up rust inside the receiver. I ended up having to scrape it out the best I could with a screw driver and lubricating it, and even then I had to hammer the bar in so it would go far enough that I could slip the pin through. Then I had to hammer it again to get it out. I've had this problem before.<br /><br />Any suggestions on how to keep this from happening all the time? In the past, I've sprayed inside the receiver with WD-40 after use, but obviously this is too light and evaporates pretty quickly.

 

[craze1cars]

Re: Rusty receiver-need suggestions

I've never had that happen....<br /><br />Frankly I've never found Uhaul's hitches to be real high quality and might be part of the problem.<br /><br />As for fixing it, first make sure the REST of the hitch isn't solid rust....especially where it attaches to the frame. If yes, replace the receiver.<br /><br />If it still looks solid and doesn't need replacement, then I'd clean the rust out with a long, coarse file until your draw bar goes in and out easily. Then coat everything with a heavy grease (any wheel bearing grease), and make sure the inside of the receiver is coated in plenty of grease especially over the winter during salt/non-use. Also cap it to prevent salt spray from getting in...and cap BOTH ends if the hole goes all the way through as some do. The grease will be a little messy, but will lubricate and prevent the rust from returning.

 

[lakelover]

Re: Rusty receiver-need suggestions

Originally posted by craze1cars:<br /> I've never had that happen....<br /><br />Frankly I've never found Uhaul's hitches to be real high quality and might be part of the problem.<br /><br />As for fixing it, first make sure the REST of the hitch isn't solid rust....especially where it attaches to the frame. If yes, replace the receiver.<br /><br />If it still looks solid and doesn't need replacement, then I'd clean the rust out with a long, coarse file until your draw bar goes in and out easily. Then coat everything with a heavy grease (any wheel bearing grease), and make sure the inside of the receiver is coated in plenty of grease especially over the winter during salt/non-use. Also cap it to prevent salt spray from getting in...and cap BOTH ends if the hole goes all the way through as some do. The grease will be a little messy, but will lubricate and prevent the rust from returning.

Thanks, I thought that might be the way to go, was hoping to avoid the greasy mess. One hitch is about 3 years old, one is a few months.<br /><br />I thought about a cap, but thought that the salty road spray would still be able to get in the side pin holes, and then have no way out. The front of the receivers are solid.

 

[ndemge]

Re: Rusty receiver-need suggestions

I had that on my old minivan, I had to drive the receiver in with a hammer..... BFH to be exact. left it there for 5 years. When I sold the van, it went with it.. I think the pin was just there for looks, cause that thing wasn't going ANYWHERE.

 

[craze1cars]

Re: Rusty receiver-need suggestions

If one of yours is just a few months old and it's already that tight, maybe the problem is actually the drawbar itself....too big. Have you tried a different drawbar? Might be a cheap and easy fix.

 

[lakelover]

Re: Rusty receiver-need suggestions

Originally posted by craze1cars:<br /> If one of yours is just a few months old and it's already that tight, maybe the problem is actually the drawbar itself....too big. Have you tried a different drawbar? Might be a cheap and easy fix.

Thanks for the thoughts. Now that you mention it, one draw bar is painted, the other is not. Seems I've had the most trouble with the painted one, but rust inside still seems to be swelling the receiver up a bit. I'll try sanding some of the paint off and see if that helps.

 

[MrBill]

Re: Rusty receiver-need suggestions

I have been using Loctite Rust Inhibitor for several years now. Spray all parts, receiver, draw bar, ball, etc inside and out. Two or three times a year seems to do well. It does not put as much halt to rust as a rust transformer, but is much faster and easier to use because it's a spray rather than paint-on liquid. For $4, it's well worth it.

 

[jaxsun]

Re: Rusty receiver-need suggestions

you would'nt happen to live on the coast by any chance?...anyways you can buy stainless draw bars at wal-mart

 

[craze1cars]

Re: Rusty receiver-need suggestions

Another method of rust removal comes to mind...Muriatic acid.<br /><br />Protect everything around the hitch with plastic to control the spray, put acid in a squirt bottle (it pretty much has to be pure acid in order to eat the rust), and keep soaking/spraying the hole with acid until it becomes clean, rust-free metal. Wear protective gloves & goggles and do it outside as it will bubble, hiss, and fume rather violently. When the rust is cleared, hose it down real good to neutralize all the acid, then prime and paint the shiny clean metal inside the hole to help prevent the rust from returning....and since it will scratch right away anyway when you use it, you'll still want to keep it coated regularly with something greasy.<br /><br />I also like jaxsun's suggestion of a stainless drawbar.

 

[lakelover]

Re: Rusty receiver-need suggestions

Thanks, this is all good stuff to chew on.

 

[rwidman]

Re: Rusty receiver-need suggestions

Rust preventative sprays are available at home centers. They are less messy than oil or grease. Oil or grease will sometimes pick up and retain sand or dirt which can make inserting the ball mount more difficult.

 

[demsvmejm]

Re: Rusty receiver-need suggestions

I have a class 3 hitch and had the same problem. I went to the local RV delaer looking ofr parts for my 1970 travel trailer and while "browsing" I found a special square wire brush with a nice handle on it. It is made of very heavy gauge wire and does come in the 1.25" size for your class 2 hitch. <br />I did a quick search on th eMegaMall and didn't find anything. I used the brush in my receiver which was getting a little snug since the last time I had cleaned it and haven't had a problem all season. Good luck. If I can find more info I will post it.

 

[lakelover]

Re: Rusty receiver-need suggestions

Thanks, lots of good info from everyone.

 

[PuddleJumper]

Re: Rusty receiver-need suggestions

I had same prob. After 30 minutes of PB Blaster and filing I got the thing to fit loosely again. To prevent recurrence I coated the inside of the receiver with anti-sieze.FWF

 

[lakelover]

Re: Rusty receiver-need suggestions

Originally posted by deej:<br /> I had same prob. After 30 minutes of PB Blaster and filing I got the thing to fit loosely again. To prevent recurrence I coated the inside of the receiver with anti-sieze.FWF

What's PB Blaster, where do you get it?<br />Thx.

 

[wayne h]

Re: Rusty receiver-need suggestions

every 1 needs a can of PB blaster the stuff is liquid gold smells bad works great. most auto stores have it also get some anti-seize like stated above any 1 that works on outboards or even changes spark plugs needs to use anti-seize u will be happy u did. u should be able to get bothing about about 4$ each give or take.

 

[lakelover]

Re: Rusty receiver-need suggestions

I used a long screw driver and scraped out the receiver and looked in with a flashlight. I couldn't believe the chunks of rust in there, in fact I had to use the screw driver to break up some of the big pieces and use the hose to spray them out. Then I wire-brushed the draw bar on my drill press to make sure it was smooth and smeared on some bearing grease (what I had on hand) and it slid right in. <br /><br />After I get back, I'll clean everything up and give it a good coating with something recommended above for the winter.<br /><br />Thanks for all the suggestions!

 

[Bondo]

Re: Rusty receiver-need suggestions

I seen Alot of things Tried,........<br /><br />The Only thing that I've seen that Works,.....<br /><br />Is Grease,..... If it stays Grease covered,...<br />It Can't/Won't Rust.............Period............<br /><br />Which Grease,.???<br />V<br />V<br />V<br />V<br />V