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06-14-2009, 10:25 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Trailer: Casita
Posts: 433
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What are some of your thoughts on greasing the trailer hitch ball? Wal Mart used to sell a small plastic jar of grease for that purpose. Now I can't find it anymore.
It seems to me that one should use a bit of grease on the ball. What do you all think?
EKW
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06-14-2009, 10:32 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Trailer: 2009 Trillium 13 ft ('Homelet') / 2000 Subaru Outback
Posts: 2,222
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I always use whatever grease I have around the house. Even Vaseline would work. I don't think K-Y Jelly would, however,
That is why you need a ball cover for when you disconnect temorarily. An old tennis ball cut off works well, or you can spend money and buy a deer head, fish, etc. Even a paper cup should work, just something to protect your clothes.
__________________
A charter member of the Buffalo Plaid Brigade!
Whether you think you can or think you can't, you're right.
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06-14-2009, 10:48 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Trailer: Casita
Posts: 433
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Quote:
I always use whatever grease I have around the house. Even Vaseline would work. I don't think K-Y Jelly would, however,
That is why you need a ball cover for when you disconnect temorarily. An old tennis ball cut off works well, or you can spend money and buy a deer head, fish, etc. Even a paper cup should work, just something to protect your clothes.
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Roger, you gave me a good chuckle. I wish I could come back with a variety of responses but maybe I'd better just move on.
I did find a small container of Extreme pressure water proof grease at Wally World and I'll just use that. ..............on the Hitch ball, right!
Thanks,
EKW
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06-14-2009, 10:59 PM
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#4
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Moderator
Trailer: Fiber Stream 1978 / Honda Odyssey LX 2003
Posts: 8,222
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Quote:
What are some of your thoughts on greasing the trailer hitch ball?
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I keep my ball dry.
[b]YMMV. I have never had a hitch problem in over 20,000 miles.
__________________
Frederick - The Scaleman
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06-14-2009, 11:11 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Trailer: No Trailer Yet
Posts: 4,897
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My instruction manual for hitches says to use bearing grease on ball and also on weight distribution hitch where bars go into the block holding the ball.
__________________
Retired Underground Coal Miner.
Served in Canadian Army (1PPCLI)
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06-15-2009, 12:07 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Trailer: 1994 Lite House
Posts: 172
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i keep a can of spray lithium grease in the truck and spray it when i use it. works great and its somewhat waterproof.
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06-15-2009, 02:21 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Trailer: 2008 17 ft Escape B
Posts: 128
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When we first got our Escape--we hadn't greased the ball or the equalizer hitch post area---oh my I was driving and "creak/ groan" etc.. I thought we weren't hitched up properly and was all in a worry mode.....
We greased her up and the next trip was MUCH quieter... Also got a hitch ball cover from Princess Auto for cheap---saves dh pant legs!!!!!!!
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06-15-2009, 05:27 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Trailer: 1983 13 ft Scamp
Posts: 3,082
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WAX
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06-15-2009, 05:34 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Trailer: 1988 16 ft Scamp Deluxe
Posts: 25,697
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I think Kevin is on to something. I've heard using a clothes dryer softening sheet is supposed to work too.
Part of the question has to do with the coupler too. Now that the ball has been greased... that also greases the coupler. Where I live, there's a lot of swirling wind... imagine dust/dirt and bits of twigs and grass... that stuff gets up into the coupler and gets stuck in the grease! How to deal with that? Well, I don't. But one of these days the entire coupler is going to be upgraded to a 2" ball.... and I'd like to rethink the grease solution.....
__________________
Donna D.
Ten Forward - 2014 Escape 5.0 TA
Double Yolk - 1988 16' Scamp Deluxe
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06-15-2009, 05:52 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Trailer: Y2K6 Bigfoot 25 ft (25B25RQ) & Y2K3 Scamp 16 ft Side Dinette
Posts: 5,040
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Quote:
I think Kevin is on to something. I've heard using a clothes dryer softening sheet is supposed to work too.
Part of the question has to do with the coupler too. Now that the ball has been greased... that also greases the coupler. Where I live, there's a lot of swirling wind... imagine dust/dirt and bits of twigs and grass... that stuff gets up into the coupler and gets stuck in the grease! How to deal with that? Well, I don't. But one of these days the entire coupler is going to be upgraded to a 2" ball.... and I'd like to rethink the grease solution.....
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WD-40 applied liberally effectively cleans the grease off and cleans up the coupler and spoon. FWIW, I use Reese ball grease. You can find it at most RV stores.
Roger
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06-15-2009, 03:16 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Trailer: 1999 17 ft Casita Spirit Deluxe ('Inn EggsIsle')
Posts: 611
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If 2 pieces of metal rub together it should be lubricated..........period
__________________
Love being Inneggsile
heading sloowly up the eastcoast to our next 2 month (Aug and Sept) camp hosting gig at Camden Hills State Park in Maine
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06-15-2009, 03:54 PM
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#12
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Moderator
Trailer: 2009 19 ft Escape / 2009 Honda Pilot
Posts: 6,221
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I use a hitch grease now, but have used axle grease in the past.
Definitely clean your ball and hitch well every few days of towing. This is real important too, so that things don't gum up. A solvent like WD-40 like Roger mentioned works great for this. Get in and scrub the workings in the hitch good, then apply grease inside as well as a wee bit on the ball itself. I picked up a ball cover at Princess Auto like Anna-Marie suggested for a couple bucks, it fits snug and works great.
__________________
2017 Escape 5.0 TA
2015 Ford F150 Lariat 3.5L EcoBoost
2009 Escape 19 (previous)
“Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.” — Abraham Lincoln
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06-16-2009, 05:35 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Trailer: Escape 19 ft 2010
Posts: 258
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I use a small amount of liquid hand soap. The first rain will wash it off so there is no need for a cover, even if it did get on clothes it is probably harmless. Seems to do the trick.
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06-16-2009, 07:00 AM
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#14
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Member
Trailer: 1981 13 ft Burro (Sunny side UP!)
Posts: 74
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This is why I LOVE this forum! As a newbie to towing, I have been worrying about this especially since my coupler is old and rusty. I didn't ask the question because it seemed like a simple thing (that I should know, right?)
My brother told me to pour/squirt motor oil over and through the coupler mechanism. Will that work as well as grease? My coupler mechanism is very stiff with rust, the last time it was hitched, we had to pound on the latch to close it. What is the best way to loosen up the mechanism? WD-40?
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06-16-2009, 10:26 AM
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#15
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Senior Member
Trailer: Casita
Posts: 433
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Quote:
My coupler mechanism is very stiff with rust, the last time it was hitched, we had to pound on the latch to close it. What is the best way to loosen up the mechanism? WD-40?
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Move to Colorado.... we "usually" (Lot of storms this year) have very low humidity and very little rust.
Seriously, I'm from Illinois, originally, and everything rusts back there. The used motor oil will work but I'd suggest getting some good Rust Penetrant and soak it good, then perhaps lubricate with some clean spray oil of some kind. WD-40 is basically just Mineral Oil with a Kerosene carrier, but it works well for a lot of things. It's NOT, however, a Rust Penetrant. Liquid Wrench is one that comes to mind. If you can find some KROIL , or CHESTERTON RUST SOLVO, those are the best two I've ever seen. ( I used to sell the Chesterton Products, but my supply is getting low) Call Pioneer Industrial in Danville, Illinois and they will have the Chesterton products.
I always grease the ball but just wanted to start a thread and see what others thought.
Good luck.
EKW
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06-16-2009, 10:48 AM
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#16
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Moderator
Trailer: 2009 19 ft Escape / 2009 Honda Pilot
Posts: 6,221
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Anne, a good cleaning and lubricating of the inside workings of the hitch is necessary, both for performance and safety.
A good cleaning like Keith described would be the first start. WD-40 will clean things up good and help loosen the workings, but will not get rid of the rust, you could use a small wire brush to get any flakes off. The wee bit of rust that is left might not be a problem though.
I would not use motor oil as a lube though, as it is too viscous. A good grease will hold in place for a long time. You could use your fingers, a small stiff bristled brush to get grease into the corners on the hitch. After this I would get a rag and clean out all you can that is on the inner surfaces (of course the outer too, should you have gotten some on there). This will get rid of the excess grease not needed. All you need in addition to this is a thin smear on the ball before hooking up.
__________________
2017 Escape 5.0 TA
2015 Ford F150 Lariat 3.5L EcoBoost
2009 Escape 19 (previous)
“Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.” — Abraham Lincoln
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06-16-2009, 11:05 AM
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#17
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Senior Member
Trailer: Former Burro owner and fan!
Posts: 9,015
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I just use the wd40 on it's own to eliminate the noise issues. The official ball grease gets filthy and I can't find it half the time.
But I can't find my glasses half the time either.
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06-16-2009, 11:07 AM
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#18
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Member
Trailer: 13 ft Casita
Posts: 78
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"PB" is the best lubricant/rust dissolver I have used.. much better than wd-40 it should be loacted on the same shelf as WD-40 at your local auto parts store or hardware store
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06-16-2009, 11:22 AM
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#19
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Moderator
Trailer: 2009 19 ft Escape / 2009 Honda Pilot
Posts: 6,221
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Quote:
I just use the wd40 on it's own to eliminate the noise issues. The official ball grease gets filthy and I can't find it half the time.
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Even a bit dirty, a good grease is still way better then none at all. A quick wipe with a piece of paper towel of the ball, and inside the hitch, will clean it good. A wee smear again on the ball and all is good.
I finally put together in a soft sided tool bag a complete toot/repair kit. This is where I keep the grease and it is always accessible in the tow vehicle. So far, so good in having what I need easily available.
On a side note, on something related and not mentioned here, is to check the adjustment of the ball latch on the hitch. Too tight and it is real hard to close, but too loose you risk excessive wear or even possibly failure (the hitch coming of the ball even though latched).
__________________
2017 Escape 5.0 TA
2015 Ford F150 Lariat 3.5L EcoBoost
2009 Escape 19 (previous)
“Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.” — Abraham Lincoln
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06-16-2009, 11:24 AM
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#20
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Moderator
Trailer: 2009 19 ft Escape / 2009 Honda Pilot
Posts: 6,221
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Quote:
"PB" is the best lubricant/rust dissolver I have used.. much better than wd-40 it should be loacted on the same shelf as WD-40 at your local auto parts store or hardware store
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I am not familiar with this product Phillip, do you have a link to it? It could be that it is not available north of the 49th.
__________________
2017 Escape 5.0 TA
2015 Ford F150 Lariat 3.5L EcoBoost
2009 Escape 19 (previous)
“Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.” — Abraham Lincoln
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