Do you grease your balls?

[ElBarranco]

Do any of you lube the tow ball before you hook up your trailer? When I was a kid my dad always made me do that. Made sense, expect when the trailer comes off the ball is a greasy mess. After greasing up lots of clothing accidentally I decided to part ways with my dad on this issue. Now I'm wondering if the old guy knew a thing or two. Seems like some lube would help the ball socket and the ball last longer. I have a receiver hitch, not a gooseneck, in case that matters.

Any opinions?

thanks,
-robert

PS Sorry about the salacious thread title. Couldn't resist.

 

[MrJimi]

I resemble that remark, I do not grease my balls but it does make sense and a good idea but as mentioned very messy unless you don't mind wiping it off after each use

 

[AlanB]

I never did, till I looked at the mowing trailer coupler one day and realized that I was looking at the ball through the top of the coupler.....

Now I do, and yes it is a mess.

 

[JDGREEN4ME]

Nope, no grease on my balls either. But I do keep my balls in the back of the truck when I am not using them so there isn't any rust on them.

 

[Slacker]

No, I don't. The ball is polished chrome for a reason. The metal provides enough lube without adding to it. If the ball was old and rusty, then I might, but probably not.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

During summer months, my gooseneck hitch ball stays worn shiney. No real need to do much. The contact between the hitch and ball is the ground contact for the trailer's electrical connection. I'd rather keep it clean.

During winter months, I usually give both surfaces a light coat of grease to minimize rust.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Depends on how much I have been drinking and what she looks like. I do use a Teflon based lube I picked up at Wally World. It is made just for that purpose by Reese. After I am done using the trailer I just put a ball cover on. It goes on and off easy with the lube.

Chris

 

[john_bud]

Rather a personal question!


Oh, Trailer hitch balls.....

Spray lube

jb

 

[schmism]

ive been known to do it when i new i was heading out on a long trailering trip... (say 1000 miles)

my trailers are all wired up with seperate ground wire in the wireing harness so i dont rely on the ball-trailer connection for it.

 

[firemanpat2910]

F W J say it isnt so, using a coupled connection for a ground is not the best way to do it. Now if your saying its a backup ground, then you are correct. I have fixed more than my share of trailer problems over the years and at least 75% of then are ground related.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

F W J say it isnt so, using a coupled connection for a ground is not the best way to do it. Now if your saying its a backup ground, then you are correct. I have fixed more than my share of trailer problems over the years and at least 75% of then are ground related.

More like 90%....

I never use a wired ground. Never have never will most likely. No issues with hitch as ground.

 

[czechsonofagun]

I do it every so often and take the hitch toungue out after every use. To keeep it from getting grease all over the truck, I keep the tongue in a tube like cut off piece of jeans. Works like a charm.

 

[LOOPHOLE]

NEVER !!! ......................... Tends to make seat slick.

 

[firemanpat2910]

not to hijack but since you mentioned pulling the drawbar from the reciever, I used to haveto do it at least twice a year to keep them from rusting shut, now I have an aluminum draw bar and it works great.

 

[firemanpat2910]

More like 90%....

I never use a wired ground. Never have never will most likely. No issues with hitch as ground.

Maybe its the weather or something but I never have any luck with out the white wire properly grounded on both halves but hey if its gotten you this far who am I to say its not right, Shouldnt you be out mowing something??

 

[AlanB]

FWJ you running electric brakes?

 

[Z-Michigan]

We grease the hitch balls with moly wheel bearing grease. Seems the most appropriate. Yes, it can be messy, but I prefer not having stuff wear out or rust out. None of our hitch balls were chrome to start - I think they were zinc chromate, which is not as slick. We remove the receiver hitch ball when not in use. The gooseneck hitch ball (remove-a-ball style) either gets stored in a plastic bag in the cab, or we tie a plastic bag over it when not in use.

I don't think grease is essential for light trailers weighing maybe 1000lbs and with a 100lb tongue load. With gooseneck or 5th wheel hitches, or a highly loaded receiver hitch, I think it is mandatory. Note that all semis have their 5th wheel hitch thoroughly greased, and that grease is removed and replaced on a regular basis.

 

[J_J]

Yes, when I was doing landscaping, I put grease on the ball several times a year. The trailer with mowers and other equipment, was hooked up 27/7 with lock.

 

[john_bud]

The trailer with mowers and other equipment, was hooked up 27/7 with lock.

27/7 !!! WoW you guys in Florida sure do work long days!


jb

 

[firemanpat2910]

27/7 !!! WoW you guys in Florida sure do work long days!


jb

NOW THATS FUNNY