Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

by **doug hodder** » Sun May 12, 2013 9:11 pm

I thought of a much more controversial subject line, but this one works. I'm curious as to just how many of you grease up the ball on your trailer hitch? I don't bother to do it unless I'm towing something really heavy, but a tear or the standies I've built don't seem to need it. They always work smoothly and release like they should with a shot of oil once in a while on the coupler mechanism. I've never had an issue, and have avoided the greasy mess or having to put a cap on the ball when not in use (something to lose) or moving the trailer by lifting on the coupler and getting it on my hands. How about the rest of you? Doug

by **High Desert** » Sun May 12, 2013 9:16 pm

Never have done a ball hitch, and I've pulled a lot of them of all sizes. Just lube whatever latching mechanism it has from time to time with oil. Only hitch type I grease is a 5th wheel or gooseneck type.
As you say Doug, other's mileage may vary.

by **Roo Dog** » Sun May 12, 2013 10:13 pm

Doug,

I used to put a bit of lube on the ball to stop squeaks but I now put a small plastic bag on the ball before I hitch up.
Stops the squeaks and is a lot cleaner to live with. I guess any bit of thin plastic would do the trick. Always a garbage bag about the shop somewhere one could use as a supply.

Take it easy.

RD

by **asianflava** » Sun May 12, 2013 10:18 pm

Not me, my hitch ball is pretty rusty now though. I just hate accidentally brushing against it and getting grease on whatever touched it.

by **halfdome, Danny** » Sun May 12, 2013 10:24 pm

I've used Liquid Wrench Dry Lubricant when the thought has occurred, but it hasn't occurred that often :roll:

.
No matter what, lubed or rusty, the ball will get your hands dirty.

Danny

by **webbaldo** » Mon May 13, 2013 2:50 am

Here in the UK, I just fill the ball protective cap with grease so when I take it off its already pre-greased.

by **jonw** » Mon May 13, 2013 8:41 am

I just started greasing my ball and inside of coupler. Less squeeky and jerky.

When not in use I do have a plastic ball cover made by Curt that keeps my pants and legs cleaner

by **48Rob** » Mon May 13, 2013 9:43 am

Doug,

I grease mine.
Not to stop squeaks or prevent rust, but to slow wear of the coupler.
Steel rubbing against steel will wear one or both surfaces pretty quickly, the harder of the two lasting a little longer.
Turning isn't the biggest wear area, but the back, in the middle, where the coupler lock is in almost constant motion against the ball due to imperfect road surfaces.

Rob

by **jeff0520** » Mon May 13, 2013 9:49 am

Moving metal to metal contact requires grease. White lithium or silicone spray grease works great, stays where you put it, and doesn't stain anything

by **DrCrash** » Mon May 13, 2013 10:25 am

Black grease and a tennis ball.

Grease up you ball and cover with tennis ball.

Keeps your balls lubracated.

by **Shadow Catcher** » Mon May 13, 2013 8:20 pm

Stainless steel ball, more chrome = harder. I do not grease, if I were to use anything it might be polyethylene.

by **CarlLaFong** » Mon May 13, 2013 8:36 pm

The idea of greasing the ball seems valid, on the surface, but I suspect it has little effect. Normally, a fitment that requires grease is a precision fit and there are seals, of some sort, to keep the grease in place. A trailer hitch is just going to rub against the ball, wherever it makes contact, and push the grease aside. It will be metal to metal in a few miles.

by **prohandyman** » Mon May 13, 2013 9:24 pm

Have always greased. I think it is a matter of personal preference. A light coat of lithium works fine for squeak and rust issues. I keep a plastic bag in a zippered, canvas bag, specifically sold by U-haul for head storage to keep things tidy. Of course this is providing you are using a removable head style of hitch. After removing the trailer, I remove the head, and put it, the pin and clip in this bag. Always know where it is. How many have cracked their very vulnerable shins on a hitch head? Plus, believe it not someone actually stole a hitch head from my truck once. A locking pin works but you can still crack your shin on it.
But another topic for discussion...and maybe more important...how many people adjust their hitches for the correct tightness on the ball?