Do you grease/oil the ball?

[Campylobacter]

Kinda odd questions here. The ball on my hitch has started to grind away recently. Almost all the chrome is gone and it is always covered with a fine black powder that is almost certainly the metal being worn off. I always see nice shiny balls on most hitches.

Do I have some sort of problem in my coupler? Was I supposed to oil the ball or coupler? The trailer is only 2 years old.

Thanks in advance.

 

[brianvolt7]

Re: Do you grease/oil the ball?

I would highly recommend not greasing the ball. This can create a dangerous slipping problem for the trailer receiver lock. I would recommend replacing the ball first and if the problem persists, replace the receiver. This is normal wear and tear. Another tip, be sure to adjust the lock on the receiver to the point when lifted, it just clears the ball. I like to adjust my lock every three or four trips. GOOD BOATING!!!

 

[Pony]

Re: Do you grease/oil the ball?

I would like to think its a good idea to use grease/lubrication any time two metals are coming in contact with each other. I have yet to have a problem using grease........if the coupler is latched correctly and the ball is the correct size I don't see how grease is a problem.

 

[gstanton]

Re: Do you grease/oil the ball?

For sure, grease the ball - and the coupler as far as that goes. Same thinking as above... two pieces of metal rubbing together need lubrication! Ball joints, tie rods, cam shafts... etc... all need lubrication. You are wearing them out if you don't. They will stick and be dangerous to un-couple.
The worst you can do with a greasy ball is hit your knee on it and get all dirty.

 

[Hard Head]

Re: Do you grease/oil the ball?

Lubrication is a good idea. The problem with grease is that is attracts dirt which starts to act like sand paper between the coupler and ball (and it's messy when you bump it with your leg). You want to keep the ball clean. I use a little WD40 and wipe off any excess every few times out. Make sure that your coupler is adjusted properly and you won't have to worry about the trailer slipping off the ball. I've also heard of people that place a square of wax paper on the ball before lowering the trailer onto it.

 

[External Combustion]

Re: Do you grease/oil the ball?

Definately grease the ball and coupler. It will reduce the wear and aid in smooth towing. You should occasionally wipe off the ball and cup on the coupler and regrease them. This keeps down the dirt from road use.

You may have seen people who use an old tennis ball over the hitch ball or these newer novelty covers to keep the grease off of their clothing. This shows you that greasing is a normal thing. Have you ever seen a fifth wheel that was not greased? A ball hitch needs lubrication just as much as a fifth wheel.

I have no idea what danger there would be with the receiver as greasing the ball would have nothing to do with the receiver.

 

[marine4003]

Re: Do you grease/oil the ball?

I would highly recommend not greasing the ball. This can create a dangerous slipping problem for the trailer receiver lock.!

HUH? Tractor trailers use grease on there receivers...Ive always used grease.....It wont slip off,its 2' of steel trying to get past 1 1/2 of steel. Grease that puppy!!!!

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Do you grease/oil the ball?

also don't leave the draw bar in the reciever, you want forget to take it out, after the little lady hits you with a shovel, for ruining her dress or pants, getting something out of the back of the car.

 

[Pony]

Re: Do you grease/oil the ball?

also don't leave the draw bar in the reciever, you want forget to take it out, after the little lady hits you with a shovel, for ruining her dress or pants, getting something out of the back of the car.

Plus you don't want it to rust itself in......

 

[Mkos1980]

Re: Do you grease/oil the ball?

I've never greesed a ball in my life. I've never had any failures, and the ball and coupler look fine.

 

[marine4003]

Re: Do you grease/oil the ball?

Forgot to mention alot depends on where your boating,i drop my boats in purely salt water,never seen fresh,so if your fresh water boating, corrosion isnt that much a factor.

 

[Camlocker]

Re: Do you grease/oil the ball?

I always see nice shiny balls on most hitches.

Because they never pull anything. I think in order to get a better ground, the chrome should be scuffed up. My ball has most of the chrome worn off from pulling ATV's, boats, and the skis for several years and never had any issues. I'll spray some WD-40 on the latches and couplers occasionally but otherwise I don't use grease.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Do you grease/oil the ball?

99% of new harnesses have a ground wire, i have never depended on the ball for ground. some vehicles, don't use body grounds any more.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Do you grease/oil the ball?

Use a little grease and clean and re-grease if it gathers dirt and grit. Metal on metal is always a war.....and the hardest one wins and wears the softer one away.

 

[QC]

Re: Do you grease/oil the ball?

Funny debate to me. Grease all the way. Where's Bondo when we need him . . . I actually think the load on those balls exceeds that of a fifth wheel. Pretty small surface to transfer ALL of the horsepower, braking, load etc. All of that heat is transmitted there and the trailer brakes. No brake heat when accelerating, so ALL of that heat (fuel) is transmitted at the ball.

 

[jeeperman]

Re: Do you grease/oil the ball?

If you want the ball to always look "nice" you could use a SS ball.

If your worried that grease on the ball might create a dangerous slipping problem for the trailer receiver lock, it is time to replace the hitch.

Although grease on the ball does indeed create a dangerous slipping problem for the person stepping on the ball to get into the back of the truck!

 

[jeeperman]

Re: Do you grease/oil the ball?

Funny debate to me. Grease all the way. Where's Bondo when we need him . . . I actually think the load on those balls exceeds that of a fifth wheel. Pretty small surface to transfer ALL of the horsepower, braking, load etc. All of that heat is transmitted there and the trailer brakes. No brake heat when accelerating, so ALL of that heat (fuel) is transmitted at the ball.

It is quite a load per square inch for most ball hitches that are made out of stamped sheet metal. I like the Bulldog cast steel ball hitch with the swing open side and sliding color a lot better.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Do you grease/oil the ball?

All of that heat is transmitted there and the trailer brakes. No brake heat when accelerating, so ALL of that heat (fuel) is transmitted at the ball.

In reality the forces on a ball are very small. You?re only supporting the tongue weight and it only requires a force of roughly 10% of the weight of the trailer to keep it in motion.

Braking wise the only force on the coupler is the difference between the braking force of the truck and the breaking force of the trailer. In the case of surge brakes this motion is also cushioned so even the "shock loading" is minimal.

Distribute these loads over the entire surface area of the ball and the loading in pounds per square inch does not come to much. That?s why you can get by with a pressed steel coupler without a problem.

 

[thenotsofreeboat]

Re: Do you grease/oil the ball?

Yep buy a stainless ball and it will look nice longer. Chrome plated means just that and after a season or two the plating comes off. I spray the ball and the hitch with some "grease in a can" before I tow my boat or the trailer. I am not sure who makes the spray but it works nicely as it leaves a small amount of lube and not a big greasy blob. I wonder if you could just wipe it down with some motor oil and get the same kind of lube. I don't see how greasing a ball could be dangerous but then again I didn't stay in a holiday inn last night.

 

[Captain Paul]

Re: Do you grease/oil the ball?

After quite a few years, the stainless ball looses some luster. I take a scotch brite pad and WD-40 to neaten it up a tad, then wipe off the gunk and WD-40 it again. I do love the stainless, worth the extra coin IMO.