Ball Grease

Metal on metal - no lubrication - what will happen? Probably not too much that could be classed as detrimental. Keep the ball and cup clean and free of grit/sand etc. I use a bit of WD40 to prevent corrosion - also helps to lubricate.

We tow a van & do not use grease on the ball or connection points on our weight distribution bars. If you do you will find it attracts dust which makes it abrasive & therefore makes things wear a bit quicker. It also creates a mess & you will find that the grease seems to get everywhere you don't want it. Your hands, clothes etc.
We do use a product called Dry Lube, comes in a stick form & is available from Auto product retailers/ hardware shops. It looks bit like candle wax. Its clean & easy to use & stops the stress noises when in a caravan park etc reversing or turning tight situations.

tow balls were designed NOT to be greased however you can grease the hitch (if it has grease nipples) get your self a cover that sits over the ball when not in use this will capture what grease is on the ball hence every time you put the cover on it will leave grease on the ball but no dont grease it directly.

hope this helps. happy travelling

john

Hi Redeye,
As mentioned the tow ball was designed not to be greased. The idea is that you want the vehicle and trailer to remain attached. By greasing the tow ball and making it slippery you run the risk of the coupling coming off as the trailer moves up and down. I would never grease a tow ball.

Regards

Mark

Silicon dry spray lube perhaps....silverback

In the manual that was supplied with our new van 4 years ago it says to use silicone spray on the tow ball which i have been doing although i still use LMM grease on the wdh trunion contact points

Regards Don

Redeye,
As mentioned before just to reinforce, personally I use a dry lube to put some sort of lubrication on the tow ball. A little bit won't hurt and little bit of lubrication makes the internal mechanism work a bit better plus the engagement and disengagement are a bit easier. My opinion as usual, others may disagree.

Hi All,

Can anyone provide a reference to some engineering source or document that confirms that "towballs are designed not to be greased"? I'd really like to read it, as it seems to contradict normal engineering practice regarding load bearing steel-on-steel sliding contact. Or is this perhaps another urban myth?

As for gease making the coupling more likely to separate from the (properly attached) ball... Are you serious Mark, or just taking the Mickey?

In the meantime, I'll continue to clean off the old grease from the ball, the inside of the coupling and the WDH trunnions with old newspaper whenever it looks dirty and apply fresh grease. So far our ball hasn't worn enough to need the coupling adjuster moved in over 6 years and many tens of thousands of km towing with between 150 and 220 kg ball weight.

G'day
I used to grease em , but am feed up with getting good clothes grease marked
So its the Dry Lube stick or a good rub with Sunlight soap now
Some lube but stays clean
Garry

Thanks all for the feedback.

Will continue with lubrication.

Redeye