Rusty Trailer Hitches: Make Sure They Bear the Load!
August 27, 2025
Is your trailer hitch rusty? Corroded trailer hitches are a common sight if you look closely at the back of many vehicles. But is there anything you can do about it? Cortec® Corporation looks at a few ideas for keeping your hitch in good condition so it can bear the load.
Why Do Trailer Hitches Rust?
Trailer hitches are often made of steel and susceptible to corrosion or oxidation, especially in harsh climates. Winter weather especially takes a toll on trailer hitches because of the deicing salts that are generously used to keep roads from being slippery.
How Do You Protect Your Tow Hitch From Rust?
Preventative maintenance is the best approach. Regular washing to remove dirt, grime, and road salts can go a long way towards slowing corrosion and extending the service life of the hitch and the entire vehicle. Using an alkaline cleaner such as VpCI®-406 with flash rust protection helps you go the extra mile by protecting against corrosion from the rinsewater itself. Another proactive approach is to periodically apply a waxlike temporary coating such as VpCI®-389 water-based coating or a permanent epoxy/urethane coating system such as VpCI®-395 + VpCI®-396 for an extra layer of protection.
How Do You Get Rust Off a Trailer Hitch?
Once rust has formed, the only options are to remove it or passivate it. First, however, it is important to inspect the trailer hitch to make sure the rust has not eaten so far that it no longer has enough strength to carry a load without breaking. If enough sound metal is left, rust can be removed by applying VpCI®-423, leaving it to dwell temporarily on the hitch, checking progress periodically, and rinsing it with water followed by a solution of VpCI®-414 for neutralization and flash rust protection. Passivating the rusty surface with CorrVerter® Rust Converter Primer is another option that converts rust into a passive layer and turns black as it dries, leaving the surface ready for a protective coating like those mentioned above.
Helping You Bear the Load
Rust on trailer hitches is such a common sight that you may not even think about it until you go to hitch up that trailer, boat, bike rack, or camper you suddenly need to haul. Don’t leave yourself at the mercy of surprise rust failures. Take steps now to maintain and restore your trailer hitches so they can bear the load when you need them!
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