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08-15-2017, 11:43 AM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Canton
Posts: 21
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Hitch Ball Lubrication?
I didn't see if this had been specifically discussed. Do you lubricate your hitch ball? I'm having no issues.... but wanted to avoid them as well.
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08-15-2017, 11:49 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Michigan
Posts: 940
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RVPilot
I didn't see if this had been specifically discussed. Do you lubricate your hitch ball? I'm having no issues.... but wanted to avoid them as well.
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I spray a little white lithium grease on the ball and up inside the coupler prior to hitching up.
__________________
2018 GMC Sierra 3500HD Denali 4WD LB SRW 6.6L Duramax
2017 Jayco Eagle 330RSTS
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08-15-2017, 11:50 AM
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#3
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Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Apple Valley
Posts: 62
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Yes, I put some grease on the ball every time I hook up and wipe it off when I unhook so that I don't get grease on me or anyone else. I also put a cover on the ball when not in use.
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08-15-2017, 12:01 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Lower Alabama
Posts: 1,482
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I spray a little white lithium from time to time.
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2018 Jayco Eagle HT 28.5 RSTS
2017 Ford F-250 Lariat FX4, 6.2L, 4.30 gears
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08-15-2017, 12:35 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Lancaster
Posts: 806
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White lithium grease. "A little dab will do ya", every time you hook up. 
Roger
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TV 2010 Ford F-150 Supercab
TT 2016 Jay Feather 23RLSW
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08-15-2017, 12:38 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Newburgh
Posts: 6,307
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I use multi purpose grease on the ball and up into the coupler. I clean the old grease prior to applying new...
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2022 33RBTS
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Equalizer 4 Point WDH
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Air Lift Rear Bags w/ On Board Compressor (Pending)
2016 28BHBE - (Traded and Missed already)
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08-15-2017, 12:39 PM
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#7
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Canton
Posts: 21
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Thanks Folks - Lithium grease it is!
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08-15-2017, 01:22 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Rochester, MA
Posts: 491
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Ok so...I never used to put anything on the ball in 20+ years of towing various trailers.
Then I read some threads about doing so and figured OK what the heck, it can't hurt, might even be a good idea.
All it ended up accomplishing was me getting grease on me every time I touched the hitch.
So I'm back to trusting what was working just fine...no grease!
__________________
Tom
2017 F250 Lariat Super Duty Crew Cab, 4x4, 6.7L Power Stroke
2016 Jayco Eagle HT 29.5 BHDS
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08-15-2017, 01:25 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Lancaster
Posts: 806
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Force
Ok so...I never used to put anything on the ball in 20+ years of towing various trailers.
Then I read some threads about doing so and figured OK what the heck, it can't hurt, might even be a good idea.
All it ended up accomplishing was me getting grease on me every time I touched the hitch.
So I'm back to trusting what was working just fine...no grease! |
Well, I also wipe the hitch ball clean after every trip. And when I remove the coupler & hitch assembly after unhooking at my campsite, I also cover it with a plastic shopping bag first. Protects a bit against the elements, and keeps the grease off me.
Roger
__________________
TV 2010 Ford F-150 Supercab
TT 2016 Jay Feather 23RLSW
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08-15-2017, 01:30 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Rochester, MA
Posts: 491
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rkresge
Well, I also wipe the hitch ball clean after every trip. And when I remove the coupler & hitch assembly after unhooking at my campsite, I also cover it with a plastic shopping bag first. Protects a bit against the elements, and keeps the grease off me.
Roger
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That would certainly solve my problem, but it would also expose another one...I'm too lazy to do all that LOL
I'd also add that nothing I have ever towed was especially squeaky and so I'm just not convinced there's a problem in need of a solution here.
YMMV of course, I'm just another opinion and you know what they say about those! 
EDIT: I do use WD40 on the coupling mechanisms of some of my trailers to keep them working smoothly, the snowmobile one in particular, but nothing on the ball itself.
__________________
Tom
2017 F250 Lariat Super Duty Crew Cab, 4x4, 6.7L Power Stroke
2016 Jayco Eagle HT 29.5 BHDS
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08-15-2017, 01:39 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 9,773
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RVPilot
I didn't see if this had been specifically discussed. Do you lubricate your hitch ball? I'm having no issues.... but wanted to avoid them as well.
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I use high temp bearing grease, I wipe off the old after 1500 miles or so and slather on some more. It stopped the noise and the big grove that was forming.
When the hitch is not in use I cover the ball with a solo cup. The size I use fits perfectly, I think is a 9 oz cup.
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08-15-2017, 01:53 PM
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#12
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Canton
Posts: 21
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LOL! I get crap all over me anyway w/o grease. It's just that once shiny chrome ball now has some deep gouges in it.. which got me thinking.
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08-15-2017, 02:08 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: FL
Posts: 11,281
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 2nOZ
I spray a little white lithium from time to time.
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This ^^^^
And I wipe off the hitch ball after unhitching to keep me a bit cleaner and wipe it again BEFORE hitching to keep grit out of the coupler. IMO, the grease stays in the coupler so I only lube that for the first trip of the season.
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Full timing: Some will think you're crazy, some will be envious, just enjoy the freedom!
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08-15-2017, 02:47 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 1,880
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Marcm157
I use multi purpose grease on the ball and up into the coupler. I clean the old grease prior to applying new...
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X2. I also grease the part of the spring bars that go into my ball hitch.
You never see truck drivers without grease on the king pin plate.
The ball and coupler are metal against metal... Why wouldn't you grease it?
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2012 Ford Expedition EL
2016 28BHBE, Elite and Thermal Packages.
Equal-i-zer 4-point Sway Control, Southwire 34930 Surge Guard 30A, Tire Minder TPMS A1A
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08-15-2017, 04:11 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Kansas City
Posts: 289
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I go in dry. Less messy.
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 ...she started talking about how I never listened to her or somethin, I donno, I wasn't really paying attention...
2017 Jayco 287BHSW
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08-15-2017, 04:29 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: McKinney
Posts: 387
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RVPilot
I didn't see if this had been specifically discussed. Do you lubricate your hitch ball? I'm having no issues.... but wanted to avoid them as well.
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Least messy - stys put
https://www.amazon.com/AGS-DEK3-Door...tick+lubricant
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2016 WH 27DSRL
2017 F250 6.7L Diesel
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08-15-2017, 04:40 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Millington
Posts: 368
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I tow at least 4 days a week and my pintle/ball combo insert never leaves my hitch. I've never greased it because I bet I brush up against the ball 10 times a week, plus if you have angles, pressure, and latching right there's no need for it.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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Rob, Sarah, Ella, Ava
2017 Eagle HT 29.5BHDS -- 2011 F350 CCSB 4x4 PSD
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08-15-2017, 05:50 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Charlotte
Posts: 709
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I use Reese Hitchball lube. I figure Reese knows.
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08-15-2017, 06:27 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Milpitas
Posts: 1,628
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Thanks, that is the best suggestion I've seen. I just did maintenance on mine, but the idea of covering it with a shopping bag is awesome.
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08-16-2017, 04:54 AM
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#20
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Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 62
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Can not find the ball on my Hensley.... but I do maintenance on it every fall and double check it all when I pull it out of storage..
Sent from my SM-T350 using Tapatalk
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