rust

How to Clean a Rusted Trailer Hitch

A rusted trailer hitch can be especially dangerous on the road. Over time, as your hitch is exposed to the elements, it can develop rust which can eat into the steel and cause irreparable damage. Thankfully, some routine maintenance is enough to help knock off the rust and keep more from building on the surface of your hitch. Here’s how to clean a rusted trailer hitch!

Cleaning a Rusted Trailer Hitch

Cleaning your trailer hitch is a simple process that will elongate its lifespan and keep it working optimally. If your ball mount is only slightly rusty, take some vinegar and coat your hitch generously. Then, ball up some aluminum foil and begin scrubbing the hitch ball. This will scrape off any rust and polish the material underneath.

If your hitch is too rusty, you may need to use a stronger brush such as steel wool or a wire brush. You may also need to use a stronger solution to help eat into and take off the rust.

If you can’t remove all of the rust on your hitch, do not use it. The rust may have eaten too far into the metal and caused structural damage you can’t see. If this is the case, your hitch may fail when under stress, causing your trailer to break free and crash. The best way to keep this from happening is by taking preventative measures against rust.

Preventing Your Trailer Hitch From Rusting

There are several steps you can take to help prevent rust from building up on your hitch. One of the easiest ways is to use a hitch cover to prevent water, dirt, and other debris from getting into your receiver opening. Additionally, remove your ball mount when it isn’t in use. This will help keep it out of corrosive weather and protect its integrity.

Furthermore, be sure to wipe off and clean your receiver and ball mount after each use. This will prevent unnecessary build-up of gunk and other corrosives.

Investing in a Quality Trailer Hitch

Removing your hitch after each use can be tedious. You can avoid extra proactive maintenance by investing in a quality hitch that needs less attention. This is especially beneficial for those who regularly tow, whether you use your hitch for work or simply take your boat to the lake on the weekends.

If you’re looking for a quality hitch, consider our BOSS TORSION-FLEX hitches. This series of hitches is coated with a durable silver-vein powder coat, which will help protect the heavy-duty steel underneath and keep it from rusting for years.

Don’t get caught having to replace your hitch every couple of years. Investing in a quality hitch like those at GEN-Y Hitch will save you money over time and offer you peace of mind that your hitch won’t fail you in transit.

Let Us Help!

Gen-Y Hitch exists to better the lives of our customers, dealers, vendors, employees, and the automotive industry. We will always put our customers’ needs ahead of our own. Contact us today, and let us help you!

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GEN-Y Hitch Limited Lifetime Warranty

This Limited Lifetime Warranty covers defects in the materials or workmanship of All GEN-Y manufactured products and is limited to the repair or replacement of the product by GEN-Y Hitch. The decision as to whether the solution is replacement or repair shall be at GEN-Y Hitch’s sole determination. This Limited Lifetime Warranty is provided only to the original purchaser and applies only to the original installation.

TORSION-FLEX Hitches

All rubber components for TORSION-FLEX Hitches are assured for 5 years from the date the unit was purchased.

Click HERE to purchase a TORSION-FLEX Lifetime Warranty  

This Limited Lifetime Warranty Warranty is expressly IN LIEU of any other express warranty and is further IN LIEU of any implied warranty, including, but not limited to, any implied WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSE except as may otherwise be required by applicable Federal or State law at the time the hitch was manufactured.

This Limited Lifetime Warranty does not cover the following:

  • normal wear and tear 
  • the finish on the product  →  wear around the shank of the hitch, the ball mount & the pintle saddle is inevitable and should be expected with normal use of the hitch due to metal on metal contact from trailer couplers / lunette rings
  • replacement of the product by any person or entity other than GEN-Y Hitch
  • any consequential or incidental damages including, but not limited to: commercial loss, loss of time, loss or damage to personal property, lodging, meals or other related travel costs or any other incidental or consequential damages arising out of the use of the product, the inability to use the product or for any other reasonable delay in performance under this Lifetime Warranty
  • service or labor charges for:
    • installing the product 
    • removing the product
    • returning the product to GEN-Y Hitch or replacing the product by anyone other than GEN-Y Hitch
    • damages caused by abuse, neglect, misuse, misapplication, overloading or improper installation, improper maintenance, repair, negligence or acts of God
    • alteration of the product in any way other than by GEN-Y Hitch
    • failure to utilize the product in compliance with it’s User Manual
    • failure of any product to which the GEN-Y product was attached

GEN-Y Hitch shall not be held responsible for any or all “compatible parts or products” being used or being utilized for towing with or around a GEN-Y Hitch product. GEN-Y Hitch products shall never be altered in any circumstance or for any reason and will void any warranties if done so.

Governing Law and Jurisdiction

This Limited Lifetime Warranty gives you specific legals right, and you may also have other rights which vary from state to state. The laws applicable to any litigation, dispute, mediation, arbitration, or any claim whatsoever arising from the sale, purchase, or use of the product shall be the laws of the State of Indiana, without regard to rules pertaining to conflicts of law. The exclusive jurisdiction for deciding any claims, demands or causes of action relating in any way, from the sale, purchase, or use of the product shall be with the courts of the Circuit or Superior Courts of Elkhart County, Indiana.

Changes in the Design of and/or Improvements to GEN-Y Hitch products and substitution of parts or components

GEN-Y Hitch reserves the unrestricted right at any time and from time to time to make changes in the design of and/or improvements upon GEN-Y Hitch products without thereby imposing any obligation upon itself to make corresponding changes or improvements in or upon GEN-Y Hitch products already manufactured. GEN-Y Hitch further reserves the right to substitute parts or components of substantially equal quality in any warranty service required by the operation of this Limited Warranty.

If your GEN-Y product was involved in an accident, do not continue to tow with it. There may be structural damage to the hitch that you cannot see that could result in product failure