Do you grease your balls?

[ElBarranco]

Do any of you lube the tow ball before you hook up your trailer? When I was a kid my dad always made me do that. Made sense, expect when the trailer comes off the ball is a greasy mess. After greasing up lots of clothing accidentally I decided to part ways with my dad on this issue. Now I'm wondering if the old guy knew a thing or two. Seems like some lube would help the ball socket and the ball last longer. I have a receiver hitch, not a gooseneck, in case that matters.

Any opinions?

thanks,
-robert

PS Sorry about the salacious thread title. Couldn't resist.

 

[MrJimi]

I resemble that remark, I do not grease my balls but it does make sense and a good idea but as mentioned very messy unless you don't mind wiping it off after each use

 

[AlanB]

I never did, till I looked at the mowing trailer coupler one day and realized that I was looking at the ball through the top of the coupler.....

Now I do, and yes it is a mess.

 

[JDGREEN4ME]

Nope, no grease on my balls either. But I do keep my balls in the back of the truck when I am not using them so there isn't any rust on them.

 

[Slacker]

No, I don't. The ball is polished chrome for a reason. The metal provides enough lube without adding to it. If the ball was old and rusty, then I might, but probably not.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

During summer months, my gooseneck hitch ball stays worn shiney. No real need to do much. The contact between the hitch and ball is the ground contact for the trailer's electrical connection. I'd rather keep it clean.

During winter months, I usually give both surfaces a light coat of grease to minimize rust.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Depends on how much I have been drinking and what she looks like. I do use a Teflon based lube I picked up at Wally World. It is made just for that purpose by Reese. After I am done using the trailer I just put a ball cover on. It goes on and off easy with the lube.

Chris

 

[john_bud]

Rather a personal question!


Oh, Trailer hitch balls.....

Spray lube

jb

 

[schmism]

ive been known to do it when i new i was heading out on a long trailering trip... (say 1000 miles)

my trailers are all wired up with seperate ground wire in the wireing harness so i dont rely on the ball-trailer connection for it.

 

[firemanpat2910]

F W J say it isnt so, using a coupled connection for a ground is not the best way to do it. Now if your saying its a backup ground, then you are correct. I have fixed more than my share of trailer problems over the years and at least 75% of then are ground related.