Grease for hitch balls

[newbury]

I'm the odd guy out, I use Fluid Film on the ball as well as inside of the hitch. Works perfectly.

Have you tried woolwax? FAQ

PB makes a couple of stickier products in spray cans. One is a chain and cable lube, the other is a garage door track lube. I spritz the inside of the coupler assembly on the trailer with whichever of those I have handy at the moment to keep it free, but nothing on the hitch ball.

I haul a 12k equipment trailer and a 10K enclosed trailer. I spray with Fluid Film or PB garage door track lube, because the cans are handy. I spray a LOT of things with FF but several years ago PB had a special on a "two-fer", a spray can of PB and a can of the garage door lube, so there is plenty "around".

 

[Monster5601]

I've read about Woolwax here and on the Cummins forum, I'd give it a go when (and if) they get the product into an aerosol spray.

 

[fried1765]

I've read about Woolwax here and on the Cummins forum, I'd give it a go when (and if) they get the product into an aerosol spray.

Woolwax IS... in an aerosol spray!

 

[buckeyefarmer]

Dont use crisco, it's shortning.

 

[Argonne]

I have never greased a ball, and see no reason to, although something with antiseptic properties might be handy for when I forget the hitch is on the truck and bark my shin on it. A good reason for NOT greasing (besides the obvious ones) is with friction you will establish a ground faster, and keep it established, good insurance against a common trailer wiring failure.

 

[ruffdog]

Oh no....some people still depend on their trailer electrics grounding through the ball?

 

[oliver1555]

Oh no....some people still depend on their trailer electrics grounding through the ball?

They are the ones whose lights constantly blink as they hit bumps.

 

[Fallon]

Oh no....some people still depend on their trailer electrics grounding through the ball?

Ya, they contribute to the great wrecked trailers photos when they get hit due to no lights or hit something due to bo brakes.

 

[Argonne]

Oh no....some people still depend on their trailer electrics grounding through the ball?

I'll take the extra ground, you guys keep greasing yer balls .

 

[Jstpssng]

I keep thinking of the diner scene in Funny Farm.

Do you mean this one? diner scene in funny farm - Bing video

 

[oliver1555]

I wonder if those lamb fries were taken by the Basque method...

 

[tmcj]

I keep the hitch balls greased with standard bearing/chassis grease for all of the reasons mentioned previously. For the minute amount of grease and time and possibly getting a bit greasey when handling, like anything else, a little bit of preventative maintenance is worth the effort vs having unwanted issues. It sure can't be hurting anything.

 

[goeduck]

How about the balls on your 3 point arms, anyone grease those?

 

[Wagtail]

How about the balls on your 3 point arms, anyone grease those?

As part of my semi-annual maintenance routine, yes.

My mantra is, "if it moves, but doesn't have a grease nipple, spray it." Spraying with a lanolin based aerosol. :thumbsup:

 

[Monster5601]

Woolwax IS... in an aerosol spray!

What a helpful post, thank you. Where can I buy Woolwax in an aerosol?

Woolwax's web site says not yet available, their web store says "not for sale". I can't find anyone that has it for sale. The best I can find is it is coming.

 

[fried1765]

As part of my semi-annual maintenance routine, yes.

My mantra is, "if it moves, but doesn't have a grease nipple, spray it." Spraying with a lanolin based aerosol. :thumbsup:

^^^^^EXACTLY CORRECT!!!

 

[fried1765]

What a helpful post, thank you. Where can I buy Woolwax in an aerosol?

Woolwax's web site says not yet available, their web store says "not for sale". I can't find anyone that has it for sale. The best I can find is it is coming.

Sorry You did not consider my Woolwax post helpful.
There was a Woolwax aerosol/spray promotional post here on TBN about a month or two ago.
I bought two cans ($9.95 each), and the 2 aerosol/spray cans are sitting on my spray lubricants shelf.

Why not try: Welcome to Woolwaxusa - WoolWax Lanolin Auto Undercoating ?
They ship their product in aerosol/spray cans,...... 5 days each week.
I suspect if you make the appropriate the payment, they will sell/ship you as many aerosol/spray cans as you might like.
It really should be a very simple process.

You could also write them, or call.

Woolwax USA
22 Boomer St.
Fall River, Ma. 02720

1-800-341-4600

If you still can't figure it all out.....
In Summer, I only live 75 miles from them, and could pick some up, and maybe deliver it to you in Michigan,.... next time I go that way.

 

[Gary Fowler]

This whole issue sounds like personal preference. I can see the benefits of grease on professional trailer pullers. I dont use grease and never will. My lifetime trailer pulling might go 10k miles. Most of my trips are less than 50 miles and would be very little wear and tear on my ball/hitch. My longest trailer pull was with my boat when I brought it from Ft. McMurray, Alberta, Canada to Crosby Texas (Houston area) and it showed absolutely no wear on the ball. 14 years later and I still have that boat and trailer and still the hitch is tight with no visible wear.
I would say that if you like your balls greasy, then go for it. It certainly wont hurt the ball or hitch and the only downside is the grease you may get on your pants leg when you accidently brush against it, hopefully it isn't a $100 pair of pants that you have on. In which case you could have purchased a new hitch and ball cheaper.

 

[lucky llama]

The wax I have been using is regular wax block from the hobby store.

 

[fried1765]

The wax I have been using is regular wax block from the hobby store.

Wax on the hitch ball does seem like a good idea.
Wouldn't make much difference for me though, because I use a 12K Equal-i-zer hitch, and it NEEDS grease.
The hitch grease just seems to jump out when I get within 3' of it.
Just love to watch the US and Canadian customs agents when they get close to the hitch.