Greaseless balls

[cpaharley2008]

Has anyone had any experience with these? I'm wondering if they are any good? Thanks

[rabbit]

Greaseless HardBall Hitch Ball with 2" Diameter and 1" Shank - 8,000 lbs GTW - Chrome Andersen Balls AM3662

Hadn't heard of these. I thought the typical cover tennis ball was to keep the grease on the ball but have found that it's for keeping it off me. The reviews at eTrailer weren't all positive but I'd think these would have an advantage over grease which attracts dust and grime, turning into an abrasive paste over a few hauls.

jack

[Pam Garlow]

I don't have any grease on the ball for my trailer. I haven't had an issue, is it really needed?

[Raz]

Originally Posted by Pam Garlow

I don't have any grease on the ball for my trailer. I haven't had an issue, is it really needed?

I've gone greaseless, tefloned, and greased. I prefer to be a greaser. It lasts longer than Teflon and keeps the wear and the rust down. And my tennis ball protects the ball and me. Raz

[rabbit]

My granddad hooked his ancient stock trailer to a 49 Chevy DeLuxe with a rusty ball for about twenty yrs. Wear factor from abrasion has to depend on tongue weight and volume of use.

jack

[theresa p]

your title brought a naughty smirk to my face.....thank you---after the crazy day i had at work, with patients VERY much still reacting to that full moon the other night, reading this thread gave me some much needed comic relief.

...and i apologize for not appreciating the dire seriousness with which it was intended.

[jalanjen]

Originally Posted by theresa p

your title brought a naughty smirk to my face.....

hehe!

[Darwin Maring]

I cover the ball with a baggie once I disconnect and leave the grease on then I clean both the Hitch and the Ball B 4 every trip and re-grease with Teflon grease.

I'm not worried about the Ball, it's the Hitch parts that I want to protect from wear.
Better safe than sorry.

[keekers]

I'm with you Pam, never heard of this before. Am I missing something I really should be doing that is critical to towing???
Patti

[cpaharley2008]

Originally Posted by theresa p

your title brought a naughty smirk to my face.....thank you---after the crazy day i had at work, with patients VERY much still reacting to that full moon the other night, reading this thread gave me some much needed comic relief.

...and i apologize for not appreciating the dire seriousness with which it was intended.

No apologies, I sometimes like to use the "double entendre" approach. I mean, 2 posts down, someone uses a "cover"- all kinds of double meanings going on here, if you like!!!

[rabbit]

C'mon, I didn't call it a sheath. Cover couldn't be more than a half entendre. I never worry about the ball either but it's easier to grease than the hood on the coupler. Which brings to mind the thought that wiping out the coupler every hundred years or so also gets rid of a good bit of crap in there. Nice dog eh?

jack

[cpaharley2008]

Our last outing @ Burnt Cabins cost me a pair of shorts due to being unprotected around the ball!!

[rabbit]

Say, I remember that!

[cpaharley2008]

That was a clean looking 20 year old model wasn't it? The trailer, that is. We had a good time with the Halloween decorations and no that is not me with orange skin.

[rabbit]

Now I'll never be able to hook up without laughing

jack

[Pam Garlow]

Originally Posted by keekers

I'm with you Pam, never heard of this before. Am I missing something I really should be doing that is critical to towing???
Patti

Patti, Its suppose to cut down on the wear and friction between the ball and reciever and keep things workig smoothly. But the rv forums are split on whether or not its really needed. Knowing that, I'm making the decision not to grease. I don't tow that much (6-8 times a season) and I take off my hitch reciever when not towing, so I don't have any problems with things binding or rusting up. I do keep my hitch lock oiled and working freely.

[Francesca Knowles]

I understand my hitch/coupler to be a moving joint that excess friction will wear out prematurely, and as such I lubricate it like any other. Since it's more exposed than other joints and will pick up grime more readily, I also clean old grease off before applying new.

The grease on the ball also serves to grease the working parts of the coupler, so for that reason I probably wouldn't convert to a "greaseless" system.

Francesca

[Roger C H]

Here is a photo of my setup. Never needed grease:



(Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain, nor the Michigan plates.)

[cpaharley2008]

Another reason for the greaseless ball is that while unhitched, at the campground, you are not subject to getting grease on your clothes as you are near the hitch removing items from your tow vehicle.
Any moving joint should have some lubricant to operate it smoothly, they have ball and 5th wheel lubricants available.

[Jim Bennett]

I absolutely keep my hitch greased.

The reasons are many, but mostly for safety and longevity of the connection. Any moving metal to metal joint needs lubrication. I am pretty sure most people don't go with out the recommended grease in your wheel bearings.

The grease keeps the parts moving smoothing, keeping the connection quiet as well.

It is a very easy thing to do. I wipe all the ball and inside of the coupler ever couple times it is hooked up. I keep the lube handy to the hitch, and when greasing I just apply a thin layer to the ball only. When detached from the trailer, I just keep a cover made for it at the hitch too, and put it on right away.



Until I started to use an anti-rattle pin to connect my hitch, I used to pull the pin and leave the ball locked in the coupler. Keeps the greased ball protected, and is added security if you desire.

As you can tell, I am a firm believer of keeping the ball greased. I have never heard of a hitch or trailer manufacturer that did not recommend so as well.