age old question revisited

[AUPANNER]

To lubricate or not to lubricate the ball hitch?

Some say yes, others say no. My theory in NO because any lubricant will cause dirt,dust, debris to stick. However if no lubricant is used wouldn't any debris accumulate anyway?

I know - stupid question but last week an RV neighbor and I got into a friendly discussion of the Pros and Cons.

[Rber1234]

I use lube on my ball hitch. I put a ball cover on when not in use to keep dirt off.

[jsb5717]

Fair question. One school of thought would say that you should lub metal-on-metal friction points. The other school will cite the collection of dirt as you have noted. It's been many years since I pulled a TT but when I did I did lube the ball and used a rubber boot desinged to protect against collecting dirt or having grease rub off on something it shouldn't.

I do know that some receivers have a hard nylon insert negating the need to lubricate, as is the case on the Andersen Ultimate Hitch.

[sourdough]

I am a proponent of lubing the ball. Very easy, clean it before using and lube and keep covered with a plastic/rubber ball cover when not in use. Very easy, simple and quick. And, as the link below will tell you, it can prevent some expensive repair bills due to damaging the coupler. But as always, to each his own.

https://www.rvtravel.com/grease-up-the-hitch-ball/

[FlyingAroundRV]

Originally Posted by Rber1234

I use lube on my ball hitch. I put a ball cover on when not in use to keep dirt off.

^^^Same here
I also lube the WDH bars.

[notanlines]

Just walk through any large RV park one day and count the hitch balls with grease and without. Without will win hands down. I'm all for greasing the ball when I tow a boat or whatever, but no one can locate a ball or hitch that wore out because it wasn't lubed. The only drawback I can see is the dry cleaning bill to get the grease out of my pants when I rush up against it, but I can't see any obvious advantage.

[xrated]

I'm in the lube it side of this discussion. Metal on metal rubbing/friction is never a good thing. I've never owned a trailer of any kind since 1975 that didn't get the hitch ball lubed, and I probably ain't going to start now.

[hankpage]

Originally Posted by xrated

I'm in the lube it side of this discussion. Metal on metal rubbing/friction is never a good thing. I've never owned a trailer of any kind since 1975 that didn't get the hitch ball lubed, and I probably ain't going to start now.

I'll drink to that ..... but then again, I'll drink to anything.
Friction is for brakes and sway control. If it rubs grease it, if it spins balance it.

[Logan X]

I keep mine lubed. I put the tailgate down when I’m camping to avoid brushing up against it with my pant leg. I have a lock on my tailgate so it can’t be stolen.

[66joej]

Some on here have tried and use Dawn dish soap. Easy to clean off and it does lubricate.

[Snoking]

The ball is not the issue, it is crystalizing the thinner metal of the coupler. If a hitch ball does not need grease, then why do tie rod ends, drag link ends, ball joints, u-joints and other parts that move against another need grease? For that matter, why does the motor need oil? Or differential need gear oil? Just saying! Chris

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e21WbRUS2zg

[xrated]

Originally Posted by hankpage

Friction is for brakes and sway control. If it rubs grease it, if it spins balance it.

I like that quote!!

[gearhead]

Heck yeah I grease that thing. My specialty lube is a mixture if marine grease and nickel base Never Seize. It of course has to be the nuclear grade. And it can't be the copper base Never Seize. Wipe it off when you get home. I'm assuming y'all are using a stainless steel ball? I used to put that rubber cover over it, but I'm getting lazy. Just wipe it off. I keep it in the truck receiver all the time. Some day it might come in handy punching a hole in some texters radiator.
I occasionally use brake parts cleaner on the trailer coupler. You can have too much grease. I have never measured the diameter of a new vs. used ball. But it's an idea.
That guy on that youtube is using enough grease for 20 balls. You have to use your index finger to massage the ball so the lube gets in the pores. Really.

[Gegrad]

I am a fan of lubing the ball. Keeps the hitch components on the trailer lubed as well.

[busterbrown]

My hitch ball doesn't see the light of day for the entire camping season under my Hensley. I must use a quarter tube of bearing grease on the ball when I hook her up in March. The WD bars are greased at the beginning of each trip. After 3 seasons, the ball has no scarring or discoloration. The old grease does take a bit of time to remove from the hitch and ball in late October.

[CWtheMan]

Materials list.

https://www.bing.com/images/search?q...7A&FORM=IQFRBA

[CampNBrew2]

Originally Posted by gearhead

Heck yeah I grease that thing.
I keep it in the truck receiver all the time. Some day it might come in handy punching a hole in some texters radiator.

[GMcKenzie]

Originally Posted by CampNBrew2

I've been on both sides of this. Years ago when I was young, I bumped someone and got their ball indent in my car. I wasn't texting (didn't exist then) but was looking at a stain on my tie and rolled into someone. Bad me.

But I got rear ended when driving my old Wagoneer. No hitch in but the receiver stuck out far enough that I put a square hole in the bumper of the can that hit me. Looked pretty funny. Also had a lady see the traffic beside her start to go so she started to go despite our lane still having a red light. I think she was texting. Anyway, put a round hole in her bumper and cleaned a little rust off the old ball.

I grease mine as well as the spots on the 4 pt they say to grease.

[Local150]

I vote no lubrication,, if you wear the hitch out by then the rest of the trailer will be shot,, jmo

[Bisjoe]

Originally Posted by FlyingAroundRV

^^^Same here
I also lube the WDH bars.

Same here, and when not on a trip with the trailer the WD Hitch/ball itself is removed and stored in the front pass-thru out of the weather.