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Old 10-18-2015, 11:12 AM   #1
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Greasing Hitch balls

Yesterday I saw someone putting grease on their hitch ball before hooking up. I have never heard of this in the five years pulling a TT. Opinions please.
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Old 10-18-2015, 11:24 AM   #2
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Metal on metal creates wear an can create squeal. That's why many prefer greasing. Also you can use a plastic sandwich bag in between the ball and coupler
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Old 10-18-2015, 11:35 AM   #3
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I grease all three of my balls- main hitch and the two that the anti-sway bar attach to. Prevents squeaks, wear and corrosion. A little messy, but worth it IMHO.
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Old 10-18-2015, 11:49 AM   #4
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A piece of wax paper is cleaner. Metal on metal contact isn't good for either metal. Grease or wax paper creates a release rather than letting it scrape and gouge
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Old 10-18-2015, 12:31 PM   #5
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I grease the ball practically every trip - you must clean it occasionally too.
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Old 10-18-2015, 12:37 PM   #6
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I keep mine clean and greased.

I have seen many couplers that are a bucket of rust. Watching their owners fight and cuss because it is stuck and won't release or the pawl won't move back allowing the coupler drop down onto the ball.

A little care and maintenance can save a lot of aggravation.
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Old 10-18-2015, 07:26 PM   #7
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I grease the balls on my vehicle and sway control before each trip. I cover the ball with a plastic sandwich bag at the campground and remove the hitch from the receiver and store it. Nothing worse than a banged shin except one that also gets your leg or pants greasy because it also hurts and you get your hands greasy as well.
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Old 10-18-2015, 07:26 PM   #8
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This same question came up on a boat forum that I frequent. The answer was overwhemingly against greasing, to the point that you're stoopid if you do. Problems, dirty, whine, whine, whine. I was the only one in favor of grease. I leaned that 45 years ago................from an RVer no less..:-)
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Old 10-18-2015, 07:34 PM   #9
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Grease, squeak free, easy un/couple.

I clean and replace the grease about every 1500 miles.
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Old 10-18-2015, 07:55 PM   #10
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Yep, grease. Clean off old, put new about every other trip. Too easy not to do. Actually clean and grease the trailer coupler as well.
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Old 10-18-2015, 08:02 PM   #11
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I grease too.

As a kid I was taught steel either needed to painted or greased. I pretty much live by that still today.
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Old 10-18-2015, 08:07 PM   #12
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Guess I'll be the odd man out here lol, been in and around the construction business for 15 years. Never have I greased a ball or hitch or seen anyone else doing it that I can remember. Have hitches,balls, and trailer couplers 15+ years (and 100k+ miles) old that still work fine thats never had grease.

...but, if it works for you thats all that matters. .

I do use a teflon plate on my fiver.

I wouldn't really be against greasing any hitch,ball, or coupler, but I can do without the mess of it. Its worked fine for me thus far so I see no need to change now.
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Old 10-18-2015, 08:39 PM   #13
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Gotta clean it and grease it for every trip for what they said.
Happy RVing,
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Old 10-19-2015, 05:42 AM   #14
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I clean the ball & hitch with a rag and use some spraycan lube I got at an auto parts store. It says its made just for the ball & hitch. I only do it once a season.
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Old 10-19-2015, 08:22 AM   #15
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+1 for grease. No real good reason not to, plenty of reasons to. I use general purpose marine grease because I have a bunch of it laying around. Clean and reapply about 2-3x per season.
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Old 10-19-2015, 08:35 AM   #16
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I never have,but I'm new to this.In the 6 trips I've made with my trailer my hitch ball is starting to look hammered.Im going to grease it before next trip.
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Old 10-19-2015, 09:55 AM   #17
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I spray mine with lithium grease, easy and never had an issue. Wipe off with rag and spray a new coating as needed. I've seen and heard more balls and WD hitches squealing, simple spritz and it's gone. No rust never had a problem getting ball of the hitch either. I agree you never want to leave raw steel raw, either paint or grease just makes sense to me.
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Old 10-19-2015, 10:10 AM   #18
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How about some Reese ball lube?

http://www.amazon.com/Reese-Towpower...productDetails
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Old 10-19-2015, 12:49 PM   #19
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A couple of months ago I purchased a new utility trailer. Try as I might I couldn't get the two coupled together. A quick shot of white spray on grease (purchased many years earlier) did the trick.
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Old 10-19-2015, 01:09 PM   #20
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I use the Reese lube on my ball and Equalizer lube points.
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