grease your balls or not

[Eric_Phillips]

I know this is a personal question but do you grease your hitch ball or not?

 

[Diamondpilot]

Yes. With the heavier BP trailers I pull, upto 25,000#, I have seen them loosen. I use Reese Ball Lube. Same jar has lasted me 10 yrs.

Chris

 

[bindian]

Sure helps it stop squeaking. I grease it with clean grease each time before hitching up the gooseneck. Afterwards l wipe it all off and stow the ball under my rear seat. I wipe out the gooseneck coupler also, as it usually has some dirt blown up in there.
hugs, Brandi

 

[newbury]

Just so they don't rust.

More important - Are your balls big enough? Don't use a 2" where you need 2 5/6. And almost ALL balls in the big box stores are 6,000lb rated balls, or less, even the 2 5/16.

 

[tcartwri]

It will noticeably reduce sway.

 

[Looking4new]

I don't. Grease attracts dirt and the dirt will grind away and chafe your balls.

 

[CJONE]

Short trips no, but when I am going 20 miles or more I will. CJ

 

[Johnny g]

I dont like grease on my balls.

 

[dusty3030]

Critical to use the right kind!

 

[7879fordman]

U don't have to but I have a pull truck that has a 1,300,000 miles and the gooseneck ball has major wear .

Sent from my iPhone 5 using TractorByNet

 

[zzvyb6]

There could be problems with a grounding connection for running lights if you use the wrong type of grease. I especially like to show off the grease on my pants for those times when you cut too tight across the back of the truck and bump into the hitch.

Actually there are people who grease the anti-sway connection too, without realizing what they are doing. I've also seen a few instances where the ball loosened up on the receiver because the hitch connection was very tight and the retaining nut was not tight enough.

 

[Fallon]

There could be problems with a grounding connection for running lights if you use the wrong type of grease. I especially like to show off the grease on my pants for those times when you cut too tight across the back of the truck and bump into the hitch.

Actually there are people who grease the anti-sway connection too, without realizing what they are doing. I've also seen a few instances where the ball loosened up on the receiver because the hitch connection was very tight and the retaining nut was not tight enough.

Your lights/brakes plug should have a dedicated ground, so this shouldn't be an issue.

I concur about showing off the grease on my pants. I have a rubber ball cover that I put on the ball & throw the whole stinger in a chubby in the bed to minimize tripping & greasing when I'm not towing.

If it is suppose to move, lube it so it moves properly & doesn't wear out.

 

[Eric_Phillips]

Thanks for the replies. My FIL always lubes his up but he is usually pulling a boat and getting water everywhere. I am getting a new horse trailer that takes a bigger ball so I get the option to do what I want. I think I will go ahead and lube my ball with the proper ball lube to prevent that uncomfortable chaffing.

 

[Dr_Zinj]

I don't. Grease attracts dirt and the dirt will grind away and chafe your balls.

Put a dust cover around it if you're worried about the dirt. I would grease the ball lightly, and clean and regrease every month during use. Replace the ball if you're getting too much wear. They're not made to last forever you know.

 

[AKweldshop]

I do it on 5th wheels.
But I have a door that flips over it to keep the dirt out....
I don't grease regular balls.
I'm always taking them all over.
To messy.
I've got receiver hitches over 20years old that have been overloaded, still use them a lot.... no grease.
2 cents.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Receivers are meant to come out when not in use. Major pet peve of mine.

Chris

 

[Johnny g]

Critical to use the right kind!

Not sure if BLUE STAR is sold in Canada, will have to check into that.

 

[Degolyerent]

Receivers are meant to come out when not in use. Major pet peve of mine.

Chris

Why would you let that bother you? Just make sure and remove your own.

 

[Degolyerent]

Receivers are meant to come out when not in use. Major pet peve of mine.

Chris

Why would you let that bother you? Just make sure and remove your own. What makes you think they are meant to come out?