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06-05-2011, 12:40 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Trailer: 2008 20 ft Flagstaff Pop-Up (206ST) / 2005 Sienna
Posts: 1,416
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Coupler Replacement
Hello! I've seen some trailers for sale in which the ad states "new coupler". I was just wondering do these wear out after awhile or would you only replace them if they've been damaged? And if they do wear out over time, how do you know when it's time to replace? Do they have a mileage rating or something?
Melissa
__________________
Melissa in Florida
1999 Toyota Sienna XLE
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06-05-2011, 03:14 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Name: Francesca Knowles
Trailer: '78 Trillium 4500
Jefferson County, Washington State, U.S.A.
Posts: 4,669
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Quote:
Originally Posted by melissab
Hello! I've seen some trailers for sale in which the ad states "new coupler". I was just wondering do these wear out after awhile or would you only replace them if they've been damaged? And if they do wear out over time, how do you know when it's time to replace? Do they have a mileage rating or something?
Melissa
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Hi, Melissa
Couplers do wear out, a fact of which many people are unaware.
They may be the most neglected part of the whole hitch system- many never receive even basic lubrication. There's a lot of friction there, and the moving parts can degrade from that, and rust, and just plain old age.
Some can have new innards put in them, but some just have to be replaced, especially if they've become enlarged enough to interfere with proper ball fit.
Do look over any such replacement very carefully to satisfy yourself that it's the right size/type for the trailer, and properly installed.
Francesca
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06-06-2011, 09:30 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Trailer: Trillium 2010
Posts: 5,185
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Francesca Knowles
Hi, Melissa
Couplers do wear out, a fact of which many people are unaware.
They may be the most neglected part of the whole hitch system- many never receive even basic lubrication. There's a lot of friction there, and the moving parts can degrade from that, and rust, and just plain old age.
Some can have new innards put in them, but some just have to be replaced, especially if they've become enlarged enough to interfere with proper ball fit.
Do look over any such replacement very carefully to satisfy yourself that it's the right size/type for the trailer, and properly installed.
Francesca
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just to add to this, when we bought our first rig the service tech told us lubricating the hitch may cause it to wear out sooner as the grease would quickly become filled with dirt. But without lubrication the hitch mechanism becomes hard to close. So as a compromise, I have been using a product called Super Lube. It is a Teflon based lubricant that is not suppose to attract and hold dirt. Raz
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06-06-2011, 09:55 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Name: Francesca Knowles
Trailer: '78 Trillium 4500
Jefferson County, Washington State, U.S.A.
Posts: 4,669
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Hi, Raz
I'll bet you're talking about this- is this the one that you just upend over the ball and sort of twist around to grease it? This sounds more convenient than the Reece grease I squirt on the top of the ball ...
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06-06-2011, 11:18 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Trailer: 2008 20 ft Flagstaff Pop-Up (206ST) / 2005 Sienna
Posts: 1,416
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Has anybody used those "Greasless" Balls yet? I was thinking of trying one since I dont already have a ball. My hitch arrives in a couple of days.
__________________
Melissa in Florida
1999 Toyota Sienna XLE
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06-06-2011, 11:38 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Name: Francesca Knowles
Trailer: '78 Trillium 4500
Jefferson County, Washington State, U.S.A.
Posts: 4,669
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I'm interested to hear about folks' experience with those, too, Melissa!
How about asking the moderator to move this thread to "hitches, towing, and axles"?
Maybe it'd catch the eye of some users over there that may not look in on "general chat"
Francesca
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06-06-2011, 11:43 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Trailer: 2004 13 ft Scamp Custom Deluxe
Posts: 8,520
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Quote:
Originally Posted by melissab
Has anybody used those "Greasless" Balls yet? I was thinking of trying one since I dont already have a ball. My hitch arrives in a couple of days.
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I haven't tried one, but if the price is right, it sounds like it would be ok.
I have never greased my hitchball, and have never seen any wear from it's lack. I do lubricate the coupler on a regular basis and check it for adjustment.
I gratefully acknowledge that "Everything put together, sooner or later falls apart". I have made my living on this premise and so I guess I should gladly tolerate the fact.
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06-06-2011, 11:55 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Name: Francesca Knowles
Trailer: '78 Trillium 4500
Jefferson County, Washington State, U.S.A.
Posts: 4,669
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What do you use for the coupler, Floyd, and how's it applied?
I've thought that the glob of grease I put on the ball accomplishes coupler lubrication, but it's sure messy if you forget to put the cover on the ball between tows...
And I've got permanent grease stains on my "camp pants" to prove it!
Francesca
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06-06-2011, 01:39 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Trailer: Trillium 2010
Posts: 5,185
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Francesca Knowles
Hi, Raz
I'll bet you're talking about this- is this the one that you just upend over the ball and sort of twist around to grease it? This sounds more convenient than the Reece grease I squirt on the top of the ball ...
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Nope, that's not the stuff. Super lube is what John Deere recommends for the 3 point hitch on their tractors instead of grease. Comes in a spray can.
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06-07-2011, 08:22 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Trailer: 2004 13 ft Scamp Custom Deluxe
Posts: 8,520
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Francesca Knowles
What do you use for the coupler, Floyd, and how's it applied?
I've thought that the glob of grease I put on the ball accomplishes coupler lubrication, but it's sure messy if you forget to put the cover on the ball between tows...
And I've got permanent grease stains on my "camp pants" to prove it!
Francesca
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I simply make sure the coupler is adjusted properly and spray it occasionally with PB blaster penetrating oil to prevent rust.
Bear in mind that I am not against greasing the hitchball, in fact it's not a bad idea. If I did, I would use a light coating of silicone grease, like brake lube. It works on caliper slides,so it should be great for hitches.
I'm hooking up today, so I might just use some and report back on whether it causes a mess.
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06-07-2011, 06:00 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Trailer: Boler
Posts: 227
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It's a good idea to hitch your trailer to the TV and then use the tonque jack or if its light enough lift up and ensure the ball is locked in. I had a neighbour at my old house who asked me to go with him to pick up a riding lawn mower with his flat bed trailer. This was formerly his tent trailer converted to a flat bed. When the mower was driven up the ramps the hitch came off the ball and crashed into his trunk. After checking I found even when locked on you could still lift the tonque off the ball with a good yank. When he saw that he said "I have been towing that trailer for 30 years and it never done that before." I just looked at him and said there's your problem.
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