Grease the Ball

Greetings Sentients,

Me again!
A friend asked me why I didn't grease the ball on my hitch.

Is this a common or recommended practice?
What kind of grease ?

Thanks!

 

I just use regular wheel bearing grease, whatever tub/tube I have handy at the moment. Either wipe it off or get a rubber cap for the ball when you don’t have the trailer connected or you’ll have grease all over your legs every time you’re near the truck.

 

Hawk tuah that thang

 

I only tow small boat or sled trailers maybe once a year, so I do not. But its definitely a thing for those that tow often. Just gotta be mindful of the grease after towing

 

It’s generally recommended you apply a little grease to the hitch ball. The one problem with that is the lubricant attracts dust and grit. You should wipe off the ball and hitch periodically and reapply grease.
I personally don’t grease mine , I am pulling a 3000lb + boat. Been towing that for many years without greasing. No problems with hitch or ball. When I was towing a heavier travel trailer I greased.
Most people I know don’t grease the hitch ball. They actually make hitch ball grease and I would suggest using that. I’ve used white lithium in the past and that also worked fine.
Bottom line grease or don’t grease, it’s up to you. I don’t think it’ll make much difference either way.

 

Never.

Well, maybe once. But I don't think about it much.
I'm more focused on getting the safety chains and ball lock pin in place, than I an grease.

 

I seem to remember greasing my trailer ball in an attempt to make it quieter. I forgot to do it for the last ten years.

 

Uhh, no.

 

This was not common at my work until a new guy suggested it. It lasted about 3 weeks before everyone got tired of getting grease on their pants. Does it make sense because of moving parts? Yes. Especially with gooseneck ball for hotshot truck. For most people though. No. Dirt and debris sticking to ball from not keeping it clean could cause more damage than just dry balling it.

 

My first hitch, many years ago, I greased. Never again

Don’t need it

 

I tow a Casita 17SD and I always grease the ball. It's metal to metal and it's a wear point. I use plain old red grease that I use on 'most everything else.