Trailer hitch paint

[Bow_Tied]

I am going to buy a brand new class 3 hitch, probably a drawtite. I note that all hitches seem to rust into oblivion. To prevent this should I:

1. Do nothing, new paint is good it is just old hitches I have seen out there that were not cared for
2. Just wax it
3. Paint it
4. Strip it and repaint it
5. get it bed liner coated.
6. Get a custom designed duplex stainless steel one made for $1800. (Ok, that ain't happening).

Thoughts?

[lowridah313]

Buy one from uhaul (cheap) let it rust, then buy another when its time.

[studum]

Just leave it, if it's a quality hitch it should look fine for a good long while before it starts to rust out. All of the pre-fabbed hitches I have installed in the past 3 years came powder coated, not painted. The ones that you see all rusted out in short order are usually home made or modified, or a few years old.

The hitch on my truck is 2 years old and has seen pretty extensive use (not that, that makes a difference) since I bought the truck and it looks fine, just dirty. It isn't even rusting where the safety chains attach. Likewise the hitch I put on my sidekick went 3 years without showing any rust signs that I can remember (same can't be said for the truck) - but maybe I just didn't see it or didn't care.

It's the ball that looks the worst after being used so much. Chances are your truck will start to show signs of cancer before the hitch will. I wouldn't even bother with the time to wax it, unless it makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

[Adam]

For the ball I just make sure to take it off as soon as I am done with it.

[the x kid]

I take mine off for the winter [if you don't need it]. Scrape it up and tremclad it. Then it looks brand new again.

[Bow_Tied]

Thanks for the reponses folks. If it is powder coat, which I believe it is, I will leave it.
Cheers.