Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
RV Trip Planning Discussions

Go Back   iRV2 Forums > TRAVEL TRAILER, 5th WHEEL & TRUCK CAMPER FORUMS > Travel Trailer Discussion
Click Here to Login
Join iRV2 Today

Mission Statement: Supporting thoughtful exchange of knowledge, values and experience among RV enthusiasts.
Reply
  This discussion is proudly sponsored by:
Please support our sponsors and let them know you heard about their products on iRV2
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 09-19-2016, 12:22 PM   #15
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 983
Hitch ball lubricant

Worried about getting grease on your pants, i put a sandwich bag over it
cherv is offline   Reply With Quote
Join the #1 RV Forum Today - It's Totally Free!

iRV2.com RV Community - Are you about to start a new improvement on your RV or need some help with some maintenance? Do you need advice on what products to buy? Or maybe you can give others some advice? No matter where you fit in you'll find that iRV2 is a great community to join. Best of all it's totally FREE!

You are currently viewing our boards as a guest so you have limited access to our community. Please take the time to register and you will gain a lot of great new features including; the ability to participate in discussions, network with other RV owners, see fewer ads, upload photographs, create an RV blog, send private messages and so much, much more!

Old 09-19-2016, 01:09 PM   #16
Senior Member
 
steve11669's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 512
I put a light coat of grease on the ball. It makes sense. Metal to metal should have grease. It's easy to clean it with a rag and apply new grease.

If that's difficult to comprehend, someone missed the 1st day of school.
__________________
2004 Country Coach Inspire, 36', 4 slides. Cummings 350 ISL. Motorcycle on rear carrier. Cadillac on a tow dolly. Retired.
steve11669 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-19-2016, 02:39 PM   #17
Senior Member
 
steve11669's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 512
I always put a little grease on the hitch ball. Makes sense. Metal to metal should have grease. Basic stuff. It's easy to clean with a rag and apply new grease.
__________________
2004 Country Coach Inspire, 36', 4 slides. Cummings 350 ISL. Motorcycle on rear carrier. Cadillac on a tow dolly. Retired.
steve11669 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-19-2016, 02:43 PM   #18
Senior Member
 
Plasticman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Madison, AL
Posts: 307
+1 on putting grease on the ball. Keeps it from squeaking.
__________________
________________________________________
2003 National Tradewinds 375 LE
Plasticman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-19-2016, 03:37 PM   #19
Senior Member
 
Old Radios's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Upstate (the other) New York
Posts: 625
I carry a tube of lithium grease and put a little on the ball every so often.

I have a 2 5/16" ball and the bottom half of a 16.9 oz. plastic Coca-Cola bottle fits nicely over it. The shape of the bottom of the Coke bottle makes it snap in place. It keeps the grease from getting on anything else or washing off when the trailer's not attached.
__________________
2021 T@B 320 S Boondock
Upstate (the other) New York
Old Radios is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-19-2016, 04:26 PM   #20
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 625
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bargoon View Post
Hi All,

I've always used a Hitch Ball Lubricant on my receiver ball and wondering if it is really required?
X2 on the lithium grease. I use a dab or two before hitching up. Cover the hitch assembly with a small plastic trash bag when I take it off at the campsite, keeps the grease off my clothes and protects it from the elements. Then I wipe the ball off completely when we return home.

I give the same treatment to the small ball for the anti-sway bar.

Roger
__________________
TV 2010 Ford F-150 Supercab
TT 2016 Jay Feather 23RLSW
rkresge is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-20-2016, 07:01 AM   #21
Senior Member
 
TDI-Minnie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,781
I do grease my ball as well, BUT
I would add that it is equally important to occasionally wipe off the old grease as it gets caked with sand and dust.
The point of lube is to limit wear. The reduction in noise is a fringe benefit.
If your grease is caked with dirt, you may be doing more harm.
And if you are making a mess, you are using too much grease!

Just wipe it down with a paper towel before towing and apply a thin coat of fresh grease.
__________________
Manny & Larissa
2013 Winnebago 2301BH-Red
2012 Ram 2500 Megacab HO CTD
TDI-Minnie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-20-2016, 08:13 PM   #22
Senior Member
 
simplecamper's Avatar
 
Carolina Campers
Join Date: Aug 2016
Posts: 112
I am a clean and grease person. I have can smear on just a bit, wipe off when not in use or after a trip or two. Make sure it stays grit free.
__________________
Loving the outdoors!
simplecamper is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-21-2016, 02:47 PM   #23
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 1,846
I have a tech tip that is being printed in the Dec issue of trailer life. Makes the job easy and no mess.
I lube the trailer ball for the same reason I grease my heel bearings. Same thing.
09 harley is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-21-2016, 03:02 PM   #24
Registered User
 
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Varies Depending on The Weather
Posts: 8,517
I have always greased up the ball with wheel bearing grease. It only needs a fine coat depending on the length of your trip.

Once at the destination, I use a sheet of paper towel and a half cut water bottle to put over the ball. The trailer hitch gets a sheet of paper towel and my tongue lock inserted into the hitch.

Never gotten grease all over anything. Clean up the old grease with new paper towel and a new coating of fresh wheel bearing grease and I'm good to go.

Dr4Film ----- Richard
Dr4Film is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-21-2016, 06:41 PM   #25
Senior Member
 
Gigattime's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 1,756
Yes, you really should. It prevents unnecessary wear in the hitch socket. Doesn't need to be a ton, just a thin coat of Reece hitch lube does the trick. After 10-15 years, you'll be glad you did IMHO.
Gigattime is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-24-2016, 05:59 PM   #26
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 8
I never used any lube. My thoughts are grease attracts dust and dirt that will get ground in and make a mess. Never thought to ask dealer there thoughts. Kind of a " it's up to you" thing.
signmoney is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-25-2016, 07:12 AM   #27
Registered User
 
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Varies Depending on The Weather
Posts: 8,517
It IS up to you! It's your hitch and your ball.

Have you ever wondered why commercial truckers spread tons of grease all around their fifth wheel before hitching up to the trailer that they are about to tow clear across the country?



Dr4Film ----- Richard
Dr4Film is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-01-2016, 09:40 PM   #28
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 1,846
Come on! Really! There are people out there who don't understand the need?
09 harley is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply



Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Ball Hitch Question CNCCornwall Trailer Towing and Tow Vehicles Discussion 11 09-08-2009 09:07 PM
Hitch Ball Lubrication John Hilley Toads and Motorhome Related Towing 2 06-22-2009 09:29 AM
Hitch-ball size Horsevoice Trailer Towing and Tow Vehicles Discussion 3 04-06-2006 07:20 PM
GM Ball Hitch Trailer Weight Ratings high desert Trailer Towing and Tow Vehicles Discussion 4 09-09-2005 07:52 PM
Installing a B & W Turnover Ball with companion hitch Kssteve Trailer Towing and Tow Vehicles Discussion 17 04-25-2005 10:28 AM

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 07:30 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.