Do you grease your balls?

[MrJimi]

This whole thread and post has been funny to all of us and has put lots of smiles on our faces
Yes, I do grease my balls on a long trip but not in town
enjoy and thanks for being the people that you are
Jim

 

[J_J]

NOW THATS FUNNY

O Well, gotta get that overtime.

 

[GIJOE]

Putting grease in the hitch also keeps the wasp from building a nest inside the hitch. I've been stung many times before using grease, but have never had it happen since I've started using it.

 

[crbr]

Do any of you lube the tow ball before you hook up your trailer? Any opinions?

No. I like my clothes greaseless. I'll not worrry one bit over a ball or a ball socket. It's peanuts.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

Shouldnt you be out mowing something??

Got the "boys" out mowing. What started as a part-time adventure now has 5 fulltime employees and looking for #6 soon. I get to sit and count beans unless I just want to go play....er.... mow.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

FWJ you running electric brakes?

Wouldn't pull out of the driveway WITHOUT them.

 

[patrick_g]

Using the hitch for a ground is why you see good ole boys going along at night with their trailer lights flickering, dimming, flickering etc. I was taught it was a BAD idea.

Regarding greasing a ball hitch... it does make a mess on your balls when they are exposed to your clothing or whatever and it seems to collect dust and grit (not a good thing) when left exposed to the environment when the trailer is parked.

What to do?

Either buy ball covers or make your own out of tennis balls. If you take a utility knife to an old tennis ball you can make a good ball cover. If you attach a good piece of light rope or light chain to the cover you can use it as a lanyard to keep the tennis ball/cover attached to the tongue of the trailer. It will always be right there when you need it. You can put a loop of cord through the tennis ball to use as a handle for pulling it off and not handling it too closely as it can have lots of grease in it after a period of use on one of your greasy balls.

Even if you elect to NOT grease your balls, you might want a ball cover.

Pat

 

[wushaw]

Using the hitch for a ground is why you see good ole boys going along at night with their trailer lights flickering, dimming, flickering etc. I was taught it was a BAD idea.
Pat

You are 100% correct on this one Pat.

I put fresh grease on my balls on regular basis, that grit can build up over time and wear on the coupler and they ain't cheap.

Them darn yellow jackets will still build a nest right behind the ball coupler where you can't see them till it's too late and getting greas on your clothes from a greasy ball is the last of your worries at that point in time.....I'm thinking of just greasing everything up that you can't see...

 

[Ductape]

Whatever you use to grease them, i suggest making sure it doesn't have any menthol in it.

 

[Lynkage]

Just a reminder!!

Grease will conduct electricity and you should do this to your battery posts as well to keep them from corroding.

As far as my balls I do grease them as well as fifth wheel because I have also seen what happens to them when you do not. These are not that cheep!! But I guess if you like to buy new GN receivers at $100 a pop then all is well.
I also do not think replacing a ball hitch is a very fun task just for the plain fact that I should know better. (besides using a cutting torch and making your trailer a little bit shorter or weaker!!)

As far as ground, it is the most common problem in electrical circuits that I know of !!
Just my 2c

 

[SPYDERLK]

Slip Plate spray graphite coating impedes corrosion, doesnt attract dust, but unfortunately doesnt deter wasps unless sprayed directly on them.
larry

 

[AlanB]

FWJ, you are pulling the electric brake ground through the trailer ball?

 

[ElBarranco]

Sounds like many folks feel a little lube is a good thing, especially as our equipment gets older. I think I'll start lubing up especially when I'm towing heavy (tractor, or full load of hay, etc...). I wouldn't mind too much if I had to replace the tow ball after a few years, but I'd hate to wear out the ball coupler. That Slip Plate or the like is what I'll try first. Without any lube I can hear squealing as I turn or go over bumps. If that goes away that can only be a good thing.

thanks,
-robert

 

[patrick_g]

How do most folks know when a ball coupler is worn out? The same way they know when the wooden deck of their trailer is ready for repair... when it fails. In one case the tractor is astride the axle(s) and in the other you have a trailer testing your safety chains and tempting fate.

Grease is cheap. Put some on the ball and it will get on the coupler. Every once in a while use a throw away rag to wipe the dirt/grit and grease mixture out of the coupler and off of the ball and re-grease.

I don't know what is peanuts to some folks but I buy very high rated hitch components (e.g. balls rated OVER 11,000 LBS) and my drawbars are solid square stock not tubing. I think a few cents worth of grease once in a while to extend their life and the life of the coupler is not foolish extravagance of time or materials to preserve cheap throwaway components.

Pat

 

[Farmwithjunk]

FWJ, you are pulling the electric brake ground through the trailer ball?

Yes. Have NO trouble. NO "flashing lights". Brakes are capable of being locked up and skidding trailer wheels if set at max. Been doing so for nearly 40 years (with various trailers) with no problems.

 

[SPYDERLK]

Yes. Have NO trouble. NO "flashing lights". Brakes are capable of being locked up and skidding trailer wheels if set at max. Been doing so for nearly 40 years (with various trailers) with no problems.

OK, so youre doing #2.) " ". If you do it long enuf the lack of the better controlled hookup inherent in the dedicated circuit will cause a #3 " " experience. The redundance is valuable.
larry

 

[Dougster]

Do any of you lube the tow ball before you hook up your trailer? Any opinions?

Honestly... I can't be bothered. I know that it's wrong, but this is one place where I don't bother to follow the instructions.

Dougster

 

[Marcussen]

Dry graphite spray lube, no mess when dry.

 

[Skyco]

I've gone back and forth over the years as to whether to grease or not. Took a 6,000 mile trip with a travel trailer in tow and no grease on the ball. I could not believe the amount of galling and wear on the ball when I unhooked after about 1,000 miles of bouncy interstate. I'm now a confirmed greaser.

As for grounds through the hitch components... Lets see a maybe rusty ball in a maybe rusty coupler the hitch draw bar is painted or rusty inside a rusty receiver...real good electrical properties there Not good enough for me.. I run the dedicated ground wire on all 8 of my trailers.

 

[Mighty Dodge]

Been watching this thread, I've only got one ball ,on my pop up camper and I do use spray lithium grease. My other trailers are pintle hitch type.