Skip to Content

5th Wheel Lube Plate vs. Grease: Which Is Better?

5th Wheel Lube Plate vs. Grease: Which Is Better?

There’s a tell-tale sound when it’s past time to lubricate your 5th wheel hitch and kingpin box connection. It’s screeching/growling metal-against-metal in the back of your truck calling for a new round of grease. But wait! There might be a better method of lubrication. Let’s look at the two options: a 5th wheel lube plate or the traditional grease.

Why Does Your 5th Wheel Need Lubrication? 

You want to keep a regular maintenance schedule since a 5th wheel hitch has multiple metal components working together for safe travel. You definitely don’t want a stuck hitch release or noisy turning. Lubrication protects the inner parts of the hitch and provides a smoother connection each time you hitch up because the parts move freely.

Since the 5th wheel is the only part attached to the tow vehicle, following a regular maintenance schedule helps promote safe travels. Manufacturers recommend lubricating and performing other maintenance tasks every three months. By lubricating the 5th wheel hitch at the beginning of each season, you’ll check it four times a year and hopefully avoid damage from a dry connection. 

degrease Fifth wheel connection
Frequently you will see semi-truck fifth wheel hitches that look like this. Degrease regularly to prevent this mess

Degreasing is a big part of this regular maintenance, too. Don’t just slap on more grease. Take the old oil off, inspect for cracks, holes, and damage, and then regrease. Especially in the winter, it’s vital to degrease so it doesn’t freeze up with road grime. After the winter season, wash the 5th wheel hitch well to remove the winter solutions used on the roads to prevent corrosion and rust.

What Is a 5th Wheel Lube Plate? 

A 5th wheel lube plate is a thin piece of metal that slides on top of the kingpin box. This barrier between the bottom of the pin box and the hitch prevents friction and vibration, so you don’t hear scraping and clunking. It also protects the inner components from messy grease deposits and dirt build-up.

Grease Plate
Protect the metal on your 5th wheel hitch by using grease or a lube plate.

Most lube plates are made from polyethylene; some newer plates include graphite. These materials stand up to the constant grinding of the kingpin and hitch.

CURT 16722 5th Wheel Hitch Lube Plate, 12-Inch...
  • WEAR-RESISTANT. This 5th wheel lube plate helps protect your 5th...
  • LESS MESS. A 5th wheel lube plate is a far superior method to...
  • STANDARD FIT. This 5th wheel lubrication plate is compatible with...

Pro Tip: Make hitching up easier with one of these 5 Best Fifth Wheel Hitches for Solid RV Towing.

What Is 5th Wheel Grease? 

Other RVers use the traditional method of lubrication with grease. This lubrication functions the same as a 5th wheel lube plate but requires regular maintenance to protect the hitch and kingpin box from friction and weather conditions. 

Grease is inexpensive, so it’s an easy investment to make for RV maintenance. You’ll also want to buy a trowel to spread the grease evenly and cover the area without dripping the oily stuff on the ground.

grease fifth wheel plate
Regular maintenance to your fifth wheel is necessary while on the road.

The Pros of Using a 5th Wheel Lube Plate

The biggest pro of using a lube plate is no mess. You slide the metal on top of the kingpin box and then attach your 5th wheel hitch without any need for grease. It’s not a complicated installation, and lube plates aren’t expensive. Most of them are around $12-15.

5th wheel lube plate on hitch
A 5th wheel lube plate provides less mess than traditional grease.

The Cons of Using a 5th Wheel Lube Plate 

There are really no disadvantages to using a lube plate other than you may forget to lube the other parts of the hitch. While the lube plate takes care of the top surface, most fifth wheel hitches need lubrication on other pivot points and around the kingpin itself.

Per application, it can be cheaper to use grease, so you might prefer grease if you’re on a tight budget. 

Pro Tip: Keep your 5th wheel safe while on the go with these 5 Best King Pin Locks to Prevent 5th Wheel RV Theft.

The Pros of Using 5th Wheel Grease

It’s inexpensive. And it doesn’t take a lot to do the job. You can buy a tub of grease, and it will last you a really long time. But other than personal preference, there aren’t many reasons to use grease instead of a lube plate. Both are inexpensive ways to protect your hitch, except one creates a mess and the other doesn’t.

The Cons of Using 5th Wheel Grease 

The major con to using grease instead of a lube plate is the mess. Many RVers who use grease will have their “grease shirt” handy. You also have to degrease before you regrease to wipe off the old oil that’s collected dirt and grime. You’ll want to inspect for any damage when you degrease, too. 

It also requires regular maintenance. Although not time-consuming or hard labor, it’s just something else to add to your routine maintenance list.

Pro Tip: While you have your grease, don’t forget to use this guide on Greasing Trailer Bearings: The Step-By-Step Guide to Repacking the Easy Way.

How to Grease 5th Wheel | Trucking Smart

Which Is Better? 

As mentioned before, it comes down to personal preference. But using a lube plate is the easier method. You’ll still have to conduct regular inspections on the hitch and kingpin box. And you might have to replace the lube plate down the road. But because it’s so inexpensive, that’s not really anything to deter you from purchasing one. 

RVers who have switched to a lube plate rave about its convenience. They love not having to wear their grease shirt or deal with the mess of grease as regularly. 

But it’s up to you. Which method do you prefer? Drop a comment below!

Become A Mortons On The Move Insider

Join 10,000+ other adventurers to receive educating, entertaining, and inspiring articles about RV Travel Destinations, RV Gear, and Off-Grid Living to jump-start your adventures today!

About Mortons on the Move

Tom & Caitlin Morton of Mortons on the Move gave up the stationary life for one where they are constantly on the move. They are full-time travelers, television hosts, and digital media producers.
They left their jobs, sold their house and possessions, and hit the road in September 2015 in their full-time “home on wheels”. Since then they have traveled the US, Canada, and even internationally by RV.
Now, they are Discovery Channel & PBS TV Co-stars of “Go North” on Amazon Prime Video, co-founders and instructors of RV Masterclass, and contributing authors for Hwy.co and an Arizona travel guide.

About Us

Sharing is caring!