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Treg Hitch - Lube??

Submitted: Saturday, Dec 02, 2006 at 07:28

Ozrover

Hi all, I've recently picked up a used Goldstream camper trailer fitted with a Treg Hitch.
I've never paid too much attention to these before, preferring to build my own, or use a ball hitch, but I can't remember seeing a Treg with grease on it!

Do you grease these things, & if so then what with?

The last one that I built I used EP2 industrial strength grease, but after a couple of days travelling, I looked like grinding paste & I had to re-grease every couple of days. Very messy!

I was thinking of something like Lanotec spray lube?

What do you think??

Regards
Jeff
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Jeff@MtDare

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ThreadID: 39976 Replies: 10
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AnswerID: 208109   Submitted: Saturday, Dec 02, 2006 at 07:48

Member - Willie , Epping .Syd. replied:

Jeff ,

I am in the same position , and in the past , I have just used grease which attracts dust and dirt like you said.

Lanotec is full strength lanoline mixed with a solvent . When the solvent evaporates you are left with full strength lanoline which I think would attract dust just the same as grease .

I will be interested to hear what others say .

Cheers ,

Willie .

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Grey Gnomad

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Reply 1 of 10
FollowupID: 468059   Submitted: Saturday, Dec 02, 2006 at 07:56

Ozrover posted:

Willie,

I picked up two cans yesterday, 1x Heavy Duty & 1 x General purpose.
I'm thinking of using the general purpose one & giving it (the Treg) a squirt every day!

Jeff.
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Jeff@MtDare

"Better to burn out than fade away!"
FollowUp 1 of 1
AnswerID: 208122   Submitted: Saturday, Dec 02, 2006 at 08:26

japmel replied:

I've had a Treg Hitch on my Caravan for the last 5 years and I have never put any sort of Grease or spray lube on the actual Rubber Block. (I can imagine the mess if I did).

There is a Grease Nipple on the Shaft (for want of a better word) that should be Greased regularly.

Regards
japmel
Reply 2 of 10
FollowupID: 468084   Submitted: Saturday, Dec 02, 2006 at 12:10

Ozrover posted:

Japmel.
It's not the poly that I'm worried about, It's the Steel shaft/bronze bush interface that concerns me, the bronze bush has to wear out at some point.

Jeff
The Devils Marbles
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Jeff@MtDare

"Better to burn out than fade away!"
FollowUp 1 of 1
AnswerID: 208123   Submitted: Saturday, Dec 02, 2006 at 08:28

Member - Gary W (NSW) replied:

Jeff,

We use CRC Dry Glide (a dry spray lubricant)....works well and doesn't attract the dust.

Gary
Reply 3 of 10
FollowupID: 468085   Submitted: Saturday, Dec 02, 2006 at 12:12

Ozrover posted:

Gary,

Good idea, I'll try that one! 8 )>

Jeff.
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Jeff@MtDare

"Better to burn out than fade away!"
FollowUp 1 of 1
AnswerID: 208127   Submitted: Saturday, Dec 02, 2006 at 09:13

Member - Jiarna (NT) replied:

Hi

I use a Treg hitch and have never used any sort of lubricant on it. Don't see the point as it's not designed to be lubricated.

"...after a couple of days travelling, I looked like grinding paste & I had to re-grease every couple of days...." Did you try showering LOL

Cheers
John
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Reply 4 of 10
FollowupID: 468067   Submitted: Saturday, Dec 02, 2006 at 09:24

Member - Willie , Epping .Syd. posted:

Hi John ,

How much rain did you end up getting ?

I have to put a lubricant in the hole in the block because my camper is parked on a slope and I have to back down to it and fit the metal peg in . It is nearly impossible to get it lined up so that the peg just drops in , so you need to push it down hard . Without a lubricant , this is nearly impossible .

Treg hitches are hard to hook up if you are not on a flat surface where you can move the camper to get it into position .

Willie .

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Grey Gnomad

To be blunt, I'm not the sharpest knife in the drawer.
FollowUp 1 of 4
FollowupID: 468086   Submitted: Saturday, Dec 02, 2006 at 12:19

Ozrover posted:

John.
No but I have a bucket bath at least once a week! 8 )>

Willie.
I built a similar type of hitch for my last off road trailer & unless both car & trailer were reasonably level then the pin was a PITA to insert, I had a Blond moment on the cape last year & stuck my left index finger in the hole trying to line it up, Yep snipped the last 1/4" off when the trailer slid back! OUCH!!

So I want this one to be as painless as possible.

Jeff.
The Devils Marbles
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Jeff@MtDare

"Better to burn out than fade away!"
FollowUp 2 of 4
FollowupID: 468091   Submitted: Saturday, Dec 02, 2006 at 12:53

Member - Jiarna (NT) posted:

Willie

Not sure about the rain, but it went on for a while and might even get a bit more. No weather station in Hermannsburg and I haven't got around to buying a rain guage yet. From the depth of moisture in the garden I'd guess about 8-10mm of rain.

The Treg hitch can be interesting to hook up, but I like being able to rely on the trailer staying attached!! Also, I've flipped a trailer before and came very close to flipping the car too, so it put me off the ball and socket. The Treg hitch and other 360 degree designs let the trailer do a death roll on the track without taking the car with it - I like that!! Not that I make a habit of rotating trailers of course.

Cheers
John
Crossing the Palmer River on Cape York
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Those who say something cannot be done should not interrupt the person doing it.
FollowUp 3 of 4
FollowupID: 469270   Submitted: Friday, Dec 08, 2006 at 12:13

Member - Pedro the One (QLD) posted:

Hi, OzRover ..........
Glad to meet you !!! .......... I also did "the finger in the hole trick" just last week, can now almost get it up my nose ......... after the swelling went !

My problem was the same as Willie's. Real PITA to line up.
I like my shade and my cuppa ...... really !!
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AnswerID: 208134   Submitted: Saturday, Dec 02, 2006 at 09:28

Member - Teabag (Queanbeyan) replied:

I have also had treg hitches for many years and have never lubricated the poly block. I grease all associated grease nipples for the Hydraulic brake shaft etc and every now and then add a little WD40 to the pin.....I don't see a reason to grease the poly block though I could be wrong.....

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Reply 5 of 10
FollowupID: 468102   Submitted: Saturday, Dec 02, 2006 at 14:05

Member - JohnR (Vic)&Moses posted:

Interesting to see you have a poly block, but mine has a metal bush through the poly block. That makes it metal to metal. Something to avoid unlubricated some how.
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FollowUp 1 of 2
FollowupID: 468145   Submitted: Saturday, Dec 02, 2006 at 19:21

Member - Teabag (Queanbeyan) posted:

JohnR,

Mine is the same, all I do is put a little WD40 on the pin every now and then. Never had an issue....

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" Better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it " or " It's better to be looking at it than looking for it "
FollowUp 2 of 2
AnswerID: 208174   Submitted: Saturday, Dec 02, 2006 at 15:33

kiwicol replied:

my treg has done over 80,000ks and i have never lubed the pin, every now and then i use emery paper to clean up the pin which helps it to slide through easier. Col
Reply 6 of 10
AnswerID: 208256   Submitted: Saturday, Dec 02, 2006 at 22:44

Member - Duncs replied:

I lubricate my Treg pin with a very small amount of aluminium grease, lithium grease or red grease (I got a small amount in a back of poly bushes once). I touch the grease with the end of my finger and then spread it evenly over the pin. I usually only do this before setting off on a long trip.

If it drys out I spray it with WD40 to clean it before adding a touch more. Mine appears to be wearing well although I am starting to notice a small amount of wear on the pin where it rubs against the steel of the piece that bolts to the car.

Duncs
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Reply 7 of 10
AnswerID: 208346   Submitted: Sunday, Dec 03, 2006 at 16:52

Athol replied:

I have used the TREG hitch on 1/ an Aussie Swag Camper trailer over at least 50000km, and currently on a Coromal PC512 pop top caravan currently over 30000km , including the Gibb River Road, Tanami Track, Birdsville Track, Great Central Road and only ever used WD40 or Silicon spray for lubrication of the pin. I do however grease the shaft at least every 2nd day.

I also fit a short piece of 1 1/2 inch radiator hose over each end of the shaft, this helps to keep the grease in and the dust out of that greasy area.

Neither couplings have shown any signs of wear.
Reply 8 of 10
AnswerID: 208352   Submitted: Sunday, Dec 03, 2006 at 17:16

Alloy c/t replied:

When we had our c/t built we had the choice of the hyland hitch or the treg ,settled on the treg as we were told no lube required except grease the nipple same time as rest of trailer, were told to wash poly block soap and water ,take crud off "pin" with soap/steel wool if and when crud buidup makes insertion hard ,no mess no fuss , no worries.
Reply 9 of 10
AnswerID: 208367   Submitted: Sunday, Dec 03, 2006 at 18:06

Ozrover replied:

Thanks all.

All info' much appreciated, I think I'll have a go at the CRC dry lube & see how it goes from there.

Regards
Jeff.
The Devils Marbles
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Jeff@MtDare

"Better to burn out than fade away!"
Reply 10 of 10