Trailer Hitch Rusting

[jhoff8487]

My truck's hitch, as are many GMT-800s, is beginning to get lots of surface rust on it at the welds and just all around it. Has anyone thought of a good method of rust prevention/rehabilitation for these? When I thought about it, I sprayed mine down with a silicone lubricant to try to prevent it but that certainly doesn't last long and didn't work. Have you ever heard of anyone line-xing or rhino lining their hitch to keep it from rusting? I'm trying to think of a method to keep my hitch nice and black permanently and not have to touch it up every so often. Rust inside the receiver I understand from the vibrations of the insert but outside there and all over the hitch is just ugly. Any ideas?

[jrrod2004]

My truck's hitch, as are many GMT-800s, is beginning to get lots of surface rust on it at the welds and just all around it. Has anyone thought of a good method of rust prevention/rehabilitation for these? When I thought about it, I sprayed mine down with a silicone lubricant to try to prevent it but that certainly doesn't last long and didn't work. Have you ever heard of anyone line-xing or rhino lining their hitch to keep it from rusting? I'm trying to think of a method to keep my hitch nice and black permanently and not have to touch it up every so often. Rust inside the receiver I understand from the vibrations of the insert but outside there and all over the hitch is just ugly. Any ideas?

 

 

are you referring to the OEM hitch or an aftermarket?

[jhoff8487]

are you referring to the OEM hitch or an aftermarket?

 

OEM. I don't believe it's covered under the rust warranty as it's just surface rust and isn't really affecting any structural stability. It's just ugly, I think.

[jrrod2004]

are you referring to the OEM hitch or an aftermarket?

 

OEM. I don't believe it's covered under the rust warranty as it's just surface rust and isn't really affecting any structural stability. It's just ugly, I think.

 

 

Oh, sorry I dont have the OEM, have the aftermarket. Ask Dan since he line-xed his belt line...

[ricko2]

Never heard of line-xing something like that. you'd have to take it off the truck, or the spray would go everywhere, and be careful not to get any inside the tube. Might work though.

[Zembonez]

KRYLON Semi-Flat black FTMFW!

[jhoff8487]

I really don't want to line-x or rhino it. I want an alternative to letting it rust. Anyone know of anything that would 'seal' it back up that isn't as big of a hassle as line-x?

[tramz]

My '05 did the same thing. I took it off, had it sand blasted and took it to a local shop that powder coats. Got 5mils thick and still looks the same as it did when I had it done 2 years ago. Cost me $100.

[Nick The Great]

My '05 did the same thing. I took it off, had it sand blasted and took it to a local shop that powder coats. Got 5mils thick and still looks the same as it did when I had it done 2 years ago. Cost me $100.

 

That's what I was thinking.

 

It shouldn't be too much of a PITA to take off. And if you look around, you'd be surprised what you could get it powdercoated for ($) You could even get it red to much your truck.

[JoshRDavis.84]

I hit mine with a wire wheel on my drill then a couple good coats of Rustoleum flat black. It wont be permanent but should last a year or two. Thats what I do

[iminaquagmire]

I hit mine with a wire wheel on my drill then a couple good coats of Rustoleum flat black. It wont be permanent but should last a year or two. Thats what I do

 

x2. I do the same with my tri-ball hitch.

[pm26]

Sand off the rust with a rotary stripper, then paint with black primer, followed by black medium gloss enamel and let dry. Then undercoat the whole thing with several thin coats of professional fast drying spray-on rubberized undercoating, and let dry between the coats.

[CapitalTruck]

Or just say fuqit and let it get a little rusty.

[jhoff8487]

I've done the wire wheel and paint before on a Explorer of my buddys. It lasted one winter and was back. I guess that's the easiest thing though. I've called around trying to get things powder coated before and everyone around here seems overly pricey. I guess I'll just go back to the brushing and painting it method. Thanks, fellas.

[gnet158]

Get a hitch cover so you won't see it. That's what I did.