Hitch ball lubrication

[Pony]

Re: Hitch ball lubrication

i also use a master lock....on my grandpas trailer i use a coupler lock(bolt is hidden, cant cut with cutters)

 

[dakk1]

Re: Hitch ball lubrication

Darn... something else to keep greased. List just gets longer and longer..<br /><br />Dave..

 

[Mark42]

Re: Hitch ball lubrication

Another thing to thing about is that when you park your rig and go eat, a simple lock will keep "curious" fingers from opening your receiver. I think it was here or maybe BoatUS where I read of "mischief makers" unlatching receivers while the owners took a break from driving on long trips or overnight at camp grounds. Hmmmm... juvenal delinquents.... Cant live with them, can't toss 'em in the chipper.

 

[ufm82]

Re: Hitch ball lubrication

Mine squeaked all the time and that was reason enough to lube it. One shot of white grease fixed the squeak but I do have to be careful about rubbing against the ball. It collects dirt and will leave a mark on my arm. <br /><br /> I've never worried about wear but I can't stand squeaks. <br /><br />UFM82

 

[coleman kayak1]

Re: Hitch ball lubrication

One of my relatives had to do it because he hadn't towed with his vehicle in a while, and the ball was rusted

 

[timmathis]

Re: Hitch ball lubrication

Geeasing the tongue lock and ball on any boat, camper,trailer, mobile home etc. is part of regular maintenance. It is recommended by all manufactures. Tim

 

[olbuddyjack]

Re: Hitch ball lubrication

juvenal delinquents.... Cant live with them, can't toss 'em in the chipper.<br />

Why not?

 

[496 Cubic Inches]

Re: Hitch ball lubrication

I grease the ball on my boat and travel trailer. I also grease the end of the weight distribution bars for the travel trailer. Every few trips I clean and re-grease everything,as mentioned before it doesn't take much.<br /><br />I use a lock on the coupler for anything I tow. I also look at the coupler,safety chains,lights,ect. every time I'm away from my vehicle. I don't need to have some jackass tinker with my stuff while I'm away. It's all in fun till someone gets killed when a boat or trailer comes off the hitch going down the road.

 

[woodrat]

Re: Hitch ball lubrication

I always grease the hitch ball for all my trailers. metal on metal needs to be lubed!

 

[mrloring]

Re: Hitch ball lubrication

I use a Masterlock trailer lock. My boat stays in my driveway, so I leave it on all the time. I also use it when towing. My balls are not greased but I guess powdered graphite might work well.

 

[cpj]

Re: Hitch ball lubrication

I lube my balls on a regular basis.One thing to think about is if they were not lubed,I suppose that <br />when you make a hard turn, is it possible that if your ball is not tight enough that the hitch could grab the ball and maybe loosen it?Now I know that's a big stretch and if it is loose enough for that to happen then you are asking for it anyway.I just like to lube my balls so that if some moron walks behind my truck, not only does he smack my hitch,but he also gets grease on his pants.Have you ever had someone yell at you after THEY ran into your hitch?This guy was mad that I left my class 3 hitch in, and he ran into it when walking behind my truck.I asked him if he would like me to put out orange cones around my truck to prvent further accidents and he gave me a single finger for an answer.

 

[Drybo]

Re: Hitch ball lubrication

Don't think I read any comments on heat buildup on long trips? seems that the metal on metal could cause an heat issue. Seems I read<br />on one of the trailer/towing threads heat could be an issue on long towed trips. Also think the ball instuctions on some brands recommend grease on the ball.

 

[Drybo]

Re: Hitch ball lubrication

Just found another issue, "does grease effect trailer grounding", did not think of that.

 

[phantoms]

Re: Hitch ball lubrication

Originally posted by byrdog:<br /> Just found another issue, "does grease effect trailer grounding", did not think of that.

Your trailer should be grounded through the plug, not through the coupler.

 

[Drybo]

Re: Hitch ball lubrication

Thanks Phantoms, no wonder my lights don't work!<br />I'm not the sharpest knife the drawer.

 

[phantoms]

Re: Hitch ball lubrication

The ground wire on the tow side of the plug should ground to the vehicle frame. The ground wire on the trailer side should either ground to the trailer frame or continue to each of the lights (or both).

 

[dissatisfaction]

Re: Hitch ball lubrication

never used grease on my hitch, i tow for a living and have never had trouble with wear.