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Tow ball gets scratched

Discussion in 'Towing' started by mr2mki, Aug 30, 2013.

  1. Sep 6, 2013 at 1:32 PM
    #21
    spieler

    spieler Well-Known Member

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    There is plenty of good grease id dip my balls in, however I have been chafing my balls like crazy for 20 plus years and never had an issue.
     
  2. Sep 6, 2013 at 1:33 PM
    #22
    Pugga

    Pugga Pasti-Dip Free 1983 - 2015... It was a good run

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    It's quiet and I personally do not think there is any good reason to have dry metal on metal for any surfaces that are supposed to slide on each other. I see no point in letting the trailer dig into the ball, it ought to be smooth and slide easily.
     
  3. Sep 6, 2013 at 1:37 PM
    #23
    Gabassman

    Gabassman Drive it like a 4WD

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    I dont have an argument against it so it aint gonna hurt anything. It makes since if your towing really heavy loads i recon.
     
  4. Sep 6, 2013 at 1:52 PM
    #24
    Mr Salty

    Mr Salty "Give up the good to go for the great"

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  5. Sep 6, 2013 at 1:55 PM
    #25
    Pugga

    Pugga Pasti-Dip Free 1983 - 2015... It was a good run

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    Honestly, for anything you're going to tow with a ball, I doubt it really makes a difference. I would just hate to have something bind and I hate that 'nails on chaulkboard' sounds you can get when you turn if not using a greased ball. I'm not going to tell you one way is right or wrong, just personal preference. I have no real data to back it up, just opinion :)
     
  6. Sep 6, 2013 at 2:06 PM
    #26
    Gabassman

    Gabassman Drive it like a 4WD

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    Fair enough I could see how it would help.
     
  7. Sep 6, 2013 at 2:19 PM
    #27
    blakes09

    blakes09 Toyota Tech..when im not Fishing

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    this is the best post ever....
     
  8. Sep 10, 2013 at 12:06 PM
    #28
    A_Ninja_Racer

    A_Ninja_Racer Well-Known Member

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    I keep a pintle hook on my truck and it didn't come with a chrome ball on it. It was painted Flatt Black. So the first time I used it the paint was gone and it was bare metal. After that I started putting a little 3 in 1 oil on the Ball just to keep it from rusting.
     
  9. Sep 10, 2013 at 12:19 PM
    #29
    DavidR

    DavidR Well-Known Member

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    Coffee right out my nose, thanks!
     
  10. Sep 10, 2013 at 12:30 PM
    #30
    Alan84

    Alan84 Well-Known Member

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    Just put baby powder on them and they'll stay dry.
     
  11. Sep 10, 2013 at 12:35 PM
    #31
    Fenwick1993

    Fenwick1993 Hillbilly

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    :rofl: These responses are hilarious! Subbed for more Lolz.
     
  12. Sep 10, 2013 at 12:37 PM
    #32
    Brian007Taco

    Brian007Taco 007Taco

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    Very interesting subject matter. Making my day at work go better. :popcorn:
     
  13. Sep 10, 2013 at 1:26 PM
    #33
    gooch14

    gooch14 Well-Known Member

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    Bestop, Child Seats, petrified french fry, dog hair, empty Mtn Dew cans cracked windshield, scratches.

    makes sitting on it a little easier.
     
  14. Sep 10, 2013 at 2:04 PM
    #34
    mdcmn7

    mdcmn7 Well-Known Member

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    I have had significant problems with elements and uncovered balls. Unfortunately the cold does tend to shrink them a bit making them unusable until back to appropriate temperature, and I would have to think that prolonged extreme cold could to severe damage, though I have never experienced it myself

    Also heat and sun damages as well. I had my balls out while using them at the beach one year and they got some extended sun exposure. Unfortunately they developed a terrible red discoloration and were completely useless for at least a week after that. A unfortunate situation that could have been avoided if I had coated them appropriately.

    So I always keep my balls covered in the cold, and well coated if out in the sun
     
  15. Sep 10, 2013 at 2:08 PM
    #35
    Pugga

    Pugga Pasti-Dip Free 1983 - 2015... It was a good run

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    You also need to be careful with getting sand on your balls when in use. This can make for an unpleasant experience for both your balls and whatever they are mounted to.
     
  16. Sep 10, 2013 at 2:20 PM
    #36
    mdcmn7

    mdcmn7 Well-Known Member

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    Very true, enough sand and friction and you may be prevented from mounting all together
     
  17. Sep 10, 2013 at 2:33 PM
    #37
    92LandCruiser

    92LandCruiser Well-Known Member

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    Don't worry about the scratches, most tow balls look like shit after some use (shitty balls har har har). That's perfectly normal.

    I'm not the authority on towing but I do have a bit of exposure...

    I don't bother to grease mine... I always end up grabbing the ball when pulling the hitch and getting a handful of grease annoys me... so I run em dry. No issues ever. I think only one of my buddies greases his ball (handful of grease...) and never heard of any issues.

    Just my experience...
     
  18. Sep 10, 2013 at 2:38 PM
    #38
    92LandCruiser

    92LandCruiser Well-Known Member

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    Though I suppose if I was to lube my balls I would use dry moly lube.
     
  19. Sep 24, 2013 at 11:36 AM
    #39
    jethro

    jethro Master Baiter

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    Well no one else is gonna do it for you.
     
  20. Sep 24, 2013 at 1:14 PM
    #40
    A_Ninja_Racer

    A_Ninja_Racer Well-Known Member

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    I guess you could pay someone else to lube them for you but then I wouldn't be able to stop thinking about all the balls that they had lubed.
     

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