Best Fifth Wheel Lube Plates

Table of Contents

‍What Does A Lube Plate Do?

Lube plates are thin pieces of highly-durable plastic or metal that fit over the kingpin (situated at the top of the box). The plate acts as a barrier between the box and the hitch, preventing grease deposits from interfering with the effective coupling between the jaws and the kingpin.

The plate can also reduce friction and vibration, so your fifth-wheel rides more smoothly, with less scraping or clunking noises when the tow vehicle and trailer hit a bump in the road surface.

Is A Lube Plate Easy To Install?

A lube plate is a circular design with a center hole and integrated cuts along the interior to help hold the plate in place. With most lube plates, you inset the kingpin into the opening and slide it up until it is flush with the top of the kingpin box. (It should be flush with the box). Ensure that the plate does not interfere with the locking mechanism of your hitch, and it is always a good idea to do a pull test.

Most manufacturers advise replacing your fifth-wheel lube plate about every year or year and a half. Most RV owners change theirs at the beginning of each season, which keeps the plate fresh and suitable for summer activities.

What Are The Best Lube Plates?

Several manufacturers make fifth-wheel hitch lube plates, and here are some that we recommend. It is important to remember that kingpins do not come with a lube plate as standard equipment. Using a plate can keep you from having tons of grease or dealing with messy grease deposits. (If you prefer to grease your hitch and get dirty, then grab your grease gun and start attacking the fifth wheel lube plate. Both methods help prevent dirt build up, but the lube plate is often considered a superior method of vibration control.

Reese Towpower Fifth Wheel Lube Plate

Reece Towpower Fifth Wheel Lube Plate makes a very inexpensive lube plate that is the number one best-seller for Amazon and finds itself atop many other best-of lists. The plate is made of durable nylon polymers, is 10” wide, and with a standard 3/16 inch thickness. The lube plate handles most vibration noise caused by the kingpin and jaws of the hitch assembly and ensures that dirt and debris are kept off the kingpin. This unit is an effective plate for most fifth-wheel applications due to its durability and ease of installation.

The most significant advantage of the Reese Towpower is that it eliminates the need for greasing the top of the kingpin box. While you should grease other areas of your assembly, using this lube plate means no mess (which many RV owners love). The plate is white, so it will show signs of wear as the season progresses. However, the fact that it is 14 inches wide means better box coverage, which is never a bad thing.

The product has a 4.8 rating on Amazon with over 2700 reviews.

Reece Towpower is a division of Horizon Global (a Chinese company) and produces the plate in Taiwan. Reece burst onto the RV scene with the invention of stabilizing jacks in the 1950s. Since then, the company has grown into one of the leading makers of hitches and trailer accessories. The company is headquartered in Plymouth, MI. The company offers a limited one-year warranty on the product.

What We Like

Inexpensive
Effective dirt and debris barrier
Great reviews on Amazon

What We Dislike

Non-USA made

EAZ LIFT Standard 5th Wheel Lube Plate

This 10-inch EAZ Lift Plate is the second most popular lube plate on Amazon, ranking at #2 in Towing Fifth-Wheel Hitches category. The plate is made from high-density plastic designed to resist wear or deterioration. The installation is easy, just slip the plate onto the kingpin and push it to the top so it sits firmly flush with the box.

The plate is 3/16 inch thick and has plenty of cushioning plastic to keep your ride smooth and comfortable. The plate is designed to help with friction when coupling a kingpin to a fifth-wheel hitch assembly.

(The company also makes a premium model in either 10 or 12 inches). The price is very low for this product, which lends to its popularity. (One minor drawback is the red color which makes the plate stick out, but this is only a personal preference). Reviews of the product are overwhelmingly positive, with a 4.8 rating out of 5 with over 2600 reviews.

Camco Mfg makes the product in China and has acquired EAZ-Lift as one of its subsidiaries. The parts are sold through EAZ-lift, and the companies have their US headquarters in Greensboro, N.C. EAZ-Lift is a leading manufacturer of trailer hitches, including excellent fifth-wheel hitches, weight-distribution systems, and camping accessories. The company has excellent customer service.

What We Like

Inexpensive component
Durable high-density plastic
Easy to Install

What We Dislike

Not made in US.

CURT Mfg 5th Wheel Lube Plate

This CURT Mfg 5th Wheel Lube Plate is excellent for effective vibration control and lubrication for your kingpin. The outer self-cleaning grooves that are present on the plate’s surface, and act to keep dirt build-up from happening. As the kingpin and jaws move in response to bumps, the plate scrapes away any deposits or debris. These grooves help keep deposits off the hitch plate while providing a proper buffer between the kingpin box and the head plate.

The plate is made from high-density polyethylene and fits any standard kingpin hitch, sliding to the top of the box. The unit has a 12-inch diameter and is 3/16” thick, which is standard among lube plates.

The 5th Wheel lube plate has a 4.8 rating with over 700 reviews on Amazon and is ranked in the top 5 in the “Towing Fifth Wheel Hitches” category. The color is white, which is the only color offered.

CURT Mfg is a hitch manufacturer and part of the Lippert family of products. The company is based out of Eau Claire, WI. The company is a leading manufacturer of trailer hitches and accessories and has an excellent reputation for building quality products. The company has grown from its humble beginnings as a trailer ball maker (which they sold out of the back of a car). The lube plates (as well as other products) are made in the USA. The company has excellent customer service and offers adequate returns and warranties on most products.

What We Like

USA made
Easy to install
Self-cleaning grooves
Very effective against noise or rattles

What We Dislike

More expensive than others
Have to buy through Amazon or a local dealer

Scottchen PRO 5th Wheel Hitch Lube Plate

This Scottchen Pro plate is another of Amazon’s bestselling 5th wheel accessories. The 10-inch plate is made of polyethylene and is durable. The center hole is 2 ⅞ inch with grooved cuts allowing it to fit almost every style of kingpin box. The 3/16 inch width is standard and helps reduce friction and vibration between the kingpin box and head assembly.

The plate is white and releases graphite for lubrication. The 5th Wheel plate has an excellent review rating on Amazon (4.8 out of 5).

Scottchen Pro is a non-USA company that sells buffing, sanding, and other industrial equipment across various applications. The only way to contact them is through e-mail, so their customer service may be lacking.

What We Like

Good reviews
Easy to Install
Inexpensive

What We Dislike

Non-USA made
Customer service suspect

Camp'N Fifth Wheel Hitch Lube Plate

This Camp’N Lube plate is a new product with a series of strategic dimples on the plate’s surface. The unique texture provides less surface contact, which reduces friction and vibrations. As the dimples flex, they absorb the movement of the hitch plate against the kingpin. This ability to absorb the shock improves noise reduction (which means less clunking every time your truck and trailer go over a bump). It also helps extend the life of the plate and the pin.

In addition to the dimple design, three cleaning grooves are cut into the plate’s face. These grooves also help cut down on the dirt and grime produced by the hitch plate. The 10-inch diameter provides adequate exposure, and the 3/16 width is standard compared to other 5th-wheel plates.

The lube plate is growing in popularity and is quickly rising up the ranks of best sellers. The unit has a 4.8 rating out of 5 and is listed as the number one new release on the Amazon website. While Camp’N isn’t the least expensive manufacturer, it isn’t the costliest either, so folks looking for average pricing will find a niche with Camp’N products.

Camp’N is a manufacturer of camper accessories and parts. (They have made a name for themselves in providing replacement doors, vents, and camper parts for rebuilds and body shops. Their website is easy to use, but customer service is email only, so you could wait a bit for a reply to any issue.

What We Like

Affordable
Easy to Install
Like the dimples

What We Dislike

Customer contact suspect

Usamate Fifth Wheel Lube Plate

This Usamate 5th wheel plate is a primary lube plate that accomplishes the job and fits all standard hitches. The 10-inch plate is high-density polyethylene and has a smooth surface for effective friction control. The cost is reasonable, the installation is easy, and the plate works well in providing effective noise reduction.

The most significant advantage of any fifth-wheel lube plate is the lack of mess using it creates. While the debate about grease or no grease will likely last forever, this plate is a simple tool for RV owners who don’t like getting their hands dirty.

Usamate is a Chinese company that specializes in trailer and camper components. They do not have a website and operate almost exclusively through Amazon. The ratings are good on Amazon (4.9 out of 5). This unit is an excellent basic lube plate for RV owners who don’t need to reinvent the wheel and are satisfied with standard units.