Gear Head Fifth Wheel Grease Pads: Everything You Need to Know

Any heavy-duty truck driver knows greasing the fifth wheel is not a highlight of their routine. It’s messy, time-consuming, and requires storing tubes or guns that always seem to leak or get grease everywhere. Grease packets can be more convenient, but are expensive and leave behind plastic litter. That’s where Gear Head Fifth Wheel Grease Pads come in.

What are Gear Head Fifth Wheel Grease Pads?

Gear Head Fifth Wheel Grease Pads are a soy-oil-based, heavy-duty, water-resistant lubricant delivered in a non-sticky, solid form. Just place them directly onto the fifth wheel, completely mess-free. When the trailer presses down, the pads transform into a “semi-solid” grease, offering the same lubrication performance as traditional grease products.

Is Soy-Based Grease as Good as Traditional Grease?

Yes, soy-based grease works just as well as traditional grease, if not better. Soy-based grease products have been around for some time. Soy molecules carry a natural electrical charge that allows them to bond to metal surfaces. This chemical bond creates a protective layer on the metal, reducing wear and corrosion over time and lengthening your equipment’s service life.

Benefits of Grease Pads

Time Savings: Rather than spending time squeezing grease from tubes or guns, you can simply grab these pads, place them on your 5^th wheel, and not even have to throw away any packaging or scrub grease off your hands.

No Mess Application: Grease pads do not become messy grease until your trailer is pressing down on your 5^th wheel. You don’t have to worry about sticky grease all over your hands or clothing.

No Waste: The entire pad transforms into a semi-solid grease during use. There’s no litter like with plastic packets and no grease tube to throw away. Plus, you don’t have to worry about getting ALL the grease out of the applicator… because there is no applicator!

How to Use Grease Pads

Using Gear Head grease pads is an easy 3-step process:

1. Apply at least 1 grease pad to each side of the 5th wheel
2. Hook up your trailer
3. Drive! The pressure of the trailer and turning motion will spread the grease. 

There are some nuances you may consider:

How Many Grease Pads Should I Use?

For a normal service event, it is recommended to use 2 pads – one on either side of the 5^th wheel. However, just like with typical greasing, the amount of grease pads should be judged by the operator. Consider adding more if your trailer is heavily loaded or if your driving conditions are a bit more extreme (lots of rain, lots of turns, extreme dust, etc.).
You can also break the pads in half if you need an odd number of pads.

Where Do I Place Grease Pads on the Fifth Wheel?

The location of the pads should be placed on the surface behind the kingpin, but in front of the tapered rear surfaces of the 5^th wheel. This placement ensures the pads will not be pushed off the 5^th wheel during trailer installation and allows for optimal spread of grease. See the diagram below for an illustration.

How Do I Apply Grease Pads to the Fifth Wheel?

Usually, there will already be at least a thin film of existing grease on the 5^th wheel. This allows our grease pads to easily stick. If the surface is completely clean, there are a couple of options:

1. Add manual pressure to the pads to help them gel on the bottom and stick to the surface
2. Lightly rub the pads on some existing grease commonly found along the exterior of the 5^th wheel
3. Break the pad in half, turn it so the broken edge is touching the 5^th wheel, and the inside material of the pad will stick.

Almost always, you’ll have some existing grease on the 5^th wheel that the pad will easily stick to.

How Do I Hook Up My Trailer After Applying Grease Pads?

You should use proper hookup guidelines for your trailer. As a general rule, when using grease pads, the front edge of the trailer should be in contact with the forward surface, midway between the kingpin centerline and the front edge of the plate. This contact should happen above the grease pads, ensuring they won’t be pushed off the plate.

Then, the grease will be spread by both the pressure and the turning action of the trailer.

How to Store Grease Pads When Not in Use

Grease pads are stable and shouldn’t degrade over time. Store them in a cool, dry location away from sunlight. If storing in the cab of your truck, be aware that the pads may become softer to the touch due to warmer temperatures and will require more care while handling.

Gear Head Grease Pads: Quick & Easy Fifth Wheel Greasing

These pads are built for truckers who value time savings and mess-free maintenance. Whether you’re doing a quick roadside service or a routine maintenance check, Gear Head Fifth Wheel Grease Pads simplify fifth wheel lubrication without sacrificing performance. Save time, reduce mess, eliminate waste, and get back on the road faster.

Check out Gear Head Grease Pads here. We also offer discounts for fleets – for more information, contact our business development team.

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