Greasing towballs

You will get a variety of opinions here for this one, but in IMHO, I never use grease of any kind on the tow ball as it will attract and hold dirt and grit making for a good grinding paste. I just clean the ball and coupling before each hitch up.

I also replace the towball after each major trip, usually once a year. Only cost about $15 to replace, it's best to be sure, to be sure if you know what I mean.

Fred.

Mate,
if you are useing the van on the blacktop, there is no reason not to grease the ball.

If you are going off road, then don't grease.

Have a good one.

Never grease mine as I think the very small amount of movement wont really wear it away.

Have just ended a 13 month 50,000k trip and ball is not worn noticeably.


Incidentally after reading the thread re the boat trailer I have forgotten on two occasions to drop the handle onto the ball in the morning.

Usually stop 15 mins down the road to check it all and found van still hitched up.

Guess its up to how much or not enough ball weight would cause that.

A WDH does of course hold the two together.

hi
i have always lubed the tow ball and use a tennis ball cover
pop it into a plastic cliplok bag when not in use

used crc then silicon spray but since lanolin spray came onto the market have changed to that as it does'nt attract the dust like the others and is'nt as messy

everyone to their choice and opinions on this one


but i will always use lube on the towball as imho it stops wear and makes the parts move unre-stricked during twists and turns thousands of times on and off road
with the down weight and the thrust /pull pressure on the ball and cup of the heavy vans being towed these days the fiction imho is quiet substantial and wouldthey will move freely when lubed rather than not
where can any one drive to in a perfect straight line when travelling somewhere without having ball/cup movement ---- except over a cliff???
just my opinion for what its worth as a farmer from the past lubrication always payed
cheers

Here is one out of left field that works for me...no grease or lubricant at all.
A supermarket plastic shopping bag !!!
Just put it over towball and drop hitch onto it./ Make sure hitch is adjusted to be JUST off binding, grabbing (and fit a nylock locknut to it).
Fold the bag flat before installing it so you are only using the 2 layers.
After tightening every thing up....trim bag around hitch so there is about 6 inches of plastic flapping around in breeze..or maybe a little more...and tie it off under towball nut beneath drawbar.
Lasts pretty well...is very effective on dusty roads (no wear)...and is very easily replaceable once the plastic chops up a bit.
I use this on my 7x4'6 bos trailer for years now...and it works.
The first time I ever used this was on My Honda Goldwing towing a small trailer....and it stopped the "trailer feedback" that happens when towing trailers with motorcycles...thus making the bike behave more like it should ...with consideration for trailer of course.
HTH.

Cheers Keith

Fatso,
Thoroughly clean your ball or balls (whatever the case may be) of grease then get a cake of soap and use that. Been doing it for years and works a treat. Also washes off the legs or Vehicle very easy.
Regards Duke

Fatso - There is not a lot of manufacture recommendations on this one that I can find - but there is millions of opinions on this subject - I have put some links below - Grease proof paper is used a lot

Thread 1

Forum 2

Forum 3

Forum 4

I use Reece Hitch Ball Lube. It has been developed specifically for that purpose.

Always grease the tow ball no matter what the conditions are likely to be. Never had any dust enter up under the hitch.

I do wipe the ball and replace the grease when I think it needs to be.

My view is there is metal to metal contact that needs lubricating no matter what.