Hitch Ball "performance"

[travelingjw]

Am preparing for a trip today. Helpful gentleman walks by and looks at my hitch ball and says it needs to be replaced. I am always willing to listen to someone who "knows" more than me. In my experience in this seems like normal wear and tear but I am "old," and there may be new rules.

If I do need to replace it, are there standards for hitch balls or are the one's at Harbor Freight good enough. In this case, rather spend the money for a quality product, if it is actually different.

[Woody69]

I don't know that it needs "replaced", but it could definitely use some grease. I'm not a fan of metal to metal contact.

[turbo130]

Originally Posted by travelingjw

Am preparing for a trip today. Helpful gentleman walks by and looks at my hitch ball and says it needs to be replaced. I am always willing to listen to someone who "knows" more than me. In my experience in this seems like normal wear and tear but I am "old," and there may be new rules.

If I do need to replace it, are there standards for hitch balls or are the one's at Harbor Freight good enough. In this case, rather spend the money for a quality product, if it is actually different.

I believe that if you grease the ball it will cut down on the kind of wear you see in the photo. That said I don't think you need to replace it just yet, I hope someone with more experience will chime in.

[Studiovette]

I have the same eaz lift ball. It's my first season using it and it looks similar (some scratches). I do wipe mine down after every trip and lube it up and it performs fine.

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[Jagiven]

I cannot tell if the wear is just the chrome coming off or if it is significantly more than that. I can tell you once I started to lube my ball, all wear stopped.

Think about the wear you see on the ball, and how thick it os, and it is hard end steel. Now think about what inside the coupler looks like? And it is a lot thinner.

[Sundancer330]

Thats cosmetic wear that happens after a few trips, nothing to be worried about. I have balls that look ten times worse and have been used for many years with no problems, I don't think I will ever wear out a ball. Like others said keep a light coat of grease on it. And if you ever do replace it buy a brand name they are better quality for only a few bucks more.

[NCMFFD]

Another recommendation here for a light coating of grease. I had a ball for our boat trailer in worse shape and I didn’t use grease on it.

[travelingjw]

Thanks. I used some lithium but it was spray on. I will use a higher viscosity grease from here on.

[Marcm157]

A Hitch ball is something I would definitely not buy at Harbor Freight. I am not a HF Basher like many others, but I would only buy a quality name brand hitch parts.

I use wheel bearing grease on the ball and coupler. I wipe the old grease off after each trip and use fresh grease prior to hook up. It is definitely more messy than sprays but I feel its worth it.

[GrumpyDad]

wipe the grease off well because if you have any preschoolers they will find that ball and rub their clothes on it and their mommas will be very upset with you (but not with the kids) when that happens. Ask me how I know this . . .

Also, yes, use a "thick" grease. I wouldn't worry too much about quality, someting either cheap or handy. If you carry a grease gun for your bearings, one pump from that is fine, or carry a tub of cheapo grease.

Just thinking out loud here, but I'd prefer to have a ball that wasn't chromed, because when that plating scratches, it looks junky. That black zinc coating would probably be plenty durable.

[Midnightmoon]

Originally Posted by GrumpyDad

Just thinking out loud here, but I'd prefer to have a ball that wasn't chromed, because when that plating scratches, it looks junky. That black zinc coating would probably be plenty durable.

I agree. I have one of those nice B&W Tow and Stow hitches that I use with several utility and cargo trailers that I own. Even with grease, it doesn't take long for it to start showing wear.

[norty1]

Did he offer any reason?

[Mountaineer83]

I use grease on mine and it still looks warn the same. That is a lot of weight and metal on metal contact. It's going to have some friction and wear even with grease. I use a tub of synthetic bearing grease from Advance. Keep it and some disposable gloves in my toolbox on the back of my Eagle.

[cekkk]

Prices at The Man Store are seductive but this ball is a reasonably important component of the system that keeps your camper close to your tow vehicle. Probably not where you want to go cheap.

[repacs0103]

At work I have 12 vehicles pulling 12-15,000 pounds every day and some of those hitch balls are over 15 years old- None of them have any visible wear. A little chrome scratching off is nothing to worry about. I never use grease, too messy on a work truck, just a personal preference.


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[kayakterp]

The cosmetic look didn't bother me as much as the loud screeching noises. I read on here to use HIGH TEMPERATURE GREASE on the ball and it helped tremendously! Looks blacker than before but performs well!
I just have to be careful when I take it on or off to keep my clothes & hands clean

[JHerzog]

Originally Posted by travelingjw

Thanks. I used some lithium but it was spray on. I will use a higher viscosity grease from here on.

Best hitch lube I have found for staying put but no mess:

https://www.amazon.com/AGS-DEK3-Door...tick+lubricant

[travelingjw]

Yes, he said that the fact there is a difference in wear; the is an edge a little less than a 1/16." His point was that the edge could be something that may catch if it gets worse and better to replace now. I am always open to learning but my view after reading the feedback is to put a higher viscosity grease on the ball and then see what happens.

[SouthCo]

Looks fine to me...

[Jopopsy]

I use this:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1