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06-26-2015, 12:50 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Garden City
Posts: 151
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lube for ball, coupler...
What do you guys use to lube the hitch ball and trailer coupler?
I was using the same grease I used to lube wheel bearings but was worried about the coupler collecting dirt
Also, is there a degreaser I could use on the coupler to clean it out some?
What lube do you use on the stabilizer threaded rods, again where dirt collection is an issue
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2015 JAYCO JAYFLIGHT LSX 267BHSW
2017 CHEVY SILVERADO 5.4 L V8 ECOTECS
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06-26-2015, 12:59 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Missouri City, The Republic of Texas
Posts: 5,063
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I used a little smear of grease or petroleum jelly (Vaseline) on the ball and white lithium spray on the coupling mechanism. I would periodically clean it all using brake or intake (carb) spray cleaner. Someone posted a while ago that "in the old days" using a sheet or two of waxed paper over the ball for lube was common. I've tried it an didn't see any problems but I prefer a "real" lubricant.
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Cheers,
T_
2013 F-350 CC SB 2WD 6.7PS
2013 Eagle Premier 351 RLTS
-SOLD- 2012 X23B
-SOLD- 2003 Ford Expedition 5.4, Bilstein shocks
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06-26-2015, 01:14 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Garden City
Posts: 151
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RedHorse1
I used a little smear of grease or petroleum jelly (Vaseline) on the ball and white lithium spray on the coupling mechanism. I would periodically clean it all using brake or intake (carb) spray cleaner. Someone posted a while ago that "in the old days" using a sheet or two of waxed paper over the ball for lube was common. I've tried it an didn't see any problems but I prefer a "real" lubricant.
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I see little bits of compressed wax paper collecting over time..would prefer spray on lubricant for sure
__________________
2015 JAYCO JAYFLIGHT LSX 267BHSW
2017 CHEVY SILVERADO 5.4 L V8 ECOTECS
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06-26-2015, 01:23 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Campbell Hall
Posts: 2,835
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Quote:
Originally Posted by scottraycraft
What do you guys use to lube the hitch ball and trailer coupler?
The normal wheel bearing grease is more that adequate for the task.
I was using the same grease I used to lube wheel bearings but was worried about the coupler collecting dirt
Use it sparingly. Just a very thin film.
Also, is there a degreaser I could use on the coupler to clean it out some? Heat and vibration will do that quite well, thank you.
What lube do you use on the stabilizer threaded rods, again where dirt collection is an issue
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Because I weld, brake cleaner is banned from my shop! (Google phosgene gas). A rag with a little mineral spirits or paint thinner will remove oil and grease quite effectively.
So grease the stabilizers freely, the gear-like joints as well as the threaded rod. When the grease becomes dried out, clean the parts with solvent & rag. Then re-grease.
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TT 2015 19RD "TheJayco"
TV 2003 F-350 "Montblanc" - Housebroken chore truck
Sitting in The Cheap Seats.
And proud of it!
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06-26-2015, 01:27 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Abingdon
Posts: 6,177
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Clean it with brake clean. Never have put anything on the ball though.
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2013 Jayco Eagle 328 RLTS
2021 Keystone Montana 3121RL
2013 F350 6.7L 4x4 CCLB
W/Air Lift air bags (front & rear)
Equal-I-Zer™ WDH & B&W Companion
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06-26-2015, 02:01 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 9,780
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I lube with bearing grease about every 1500 miles. To clean, I just grab a shop rag, and wipe down the inside the coupler a few times and the ball. Then apply new grease only to the ball. I probably have only cleaned the coupler twice in 4 seasons with this unit. The coupler is not like wheel bearings, so a little dirt and grim is not going to shorten its life.
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06-26-2015, 02:42 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: PNW
Posts: 5,195
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I have an old can of white lithium grease that I lube the ball, the pivot points of the weight dist. arms, and the two little balls the anti-sway bar attaches to.
I wipe everything clean when I'm unhook the TT, except for the coupler. I've never wiped that out.
If the hitch parts have been laying around for a while since last used, I'll give them a quick wipedown to remove any dust before greasing her up again.
The nice thing about the lithium grease is that it's not as sticky as wheel bearing grease, but still does OK as a wipe-on lube.
I tried lubing the stabilizer screws with WD-40, but then the stabilizers wouldn't stay up. I'd crank them up to where they should be, and the weight of the TT frame caused them to spin back down on their own. I now just make sure the screws are clean. I'll oil the the stabilizer pivot points sometimes.
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Bill
2011 Dodge Ram 1500 HEMI Quad Cab
2011 Jay Flight 26BH
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06-26-2015, 03:19 PM
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#8
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Site Team
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Newark, NY
Posts: 15,921
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Before hitching up at home, I give the ball a quick wipe, and a small coat of the grease the dealer gave us with the Equalizer hitch. Enough in the tube to last many years. I think someone makes special hitch ball lube, (Reese maybe?) but I don't know what's special about it.
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Think you're too old to cry or swear out loud...walk into your hitch in the dark.
2012 Jay Flight 19RD
2016 Ford F150 XLT 2X4 SC 3.5L Eco Max Tow
2010 Tundra TRD DBL Cab (Traded)
2 new fluffy Corgis, Bayley and Stanley
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06-26-2015, 04:23 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Los Lunas, New Mexico
Posts: 3,766
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I use the Reese "special" hitch ball lube and it quiets down my Equalizer Hitch. I suppose most lubes would also.
Happy RVing,
Jeff
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2018 Eagle HT 26.5 RLDS. SOLD
2009 F150 Supercab UNICORN, 5.4L ,3.73, HD and Max Tow Packages, Timbrens, Bilstein shocks.
Wet bolt kit. Andersen Ultimate 20K hitch. TST 507RV TPMS. Hydro Life HL-200. 16" Goodyear Endurance. Progressive EMS. SteadyFast Stabilizers. Furion backup camera.
Best friend wife, Di, and dog Cooper. RETIRED
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