Trailer Hitch Questions

Thornback · December 10, 2017, 10:29:16 AM

J have two questions concerning the boat trailer hitch -- 1) Does anyone put a coating of grease on the hitch ball? 2) Does anyone ever change the coupler because of wear?

Princeton_Man · December 10, 2017, 10:36:53 AM

I have a close friend who's a trucker. He's also a class act when it comes to maintenance. He greases the ball, the hitch receivers, everything. Everything he owns is like new and if something shows signs of wear, he replaces it.

I don't grease my balls or hitches and as long as the hitch stays locked onto the ball, I won't replace it.

Kris · December 10, 2017, 11:04:29 AM

I have thought about changing the hitch on my Suburban, 1999, that was installed by the previous owner. We have decided to sell our RV trailer so I guess there is no reason to now.
I picked up a container of hitch ball grease so I do grease the ball at the beginning of each Season.

SteelHorseCowboy · December 10, 2017, 11:20:31 AM

Never greased my balls before, but it's a fine idea. One of the bigger benefits you're likely to notice is less noise.
I never did it because I've never seen a ball wear out.
I did always keep the receiver greased where you insert the shaft, because that area will collect water and rust. Plus I had a three way hitch on my old work truck, and it becomes a real chore to pull it out when it's all rusted up.

On that note, ANY piece of towing equipment you have that's worn or damaged, needs to be replaced before you tow again.

Capt. BassinLou · December 10, 2017, 12:31:13 PM

Quote from: Thornback on December 10, 2017, 10:29:16 AM
J have two questions concerning the boat trailer hitch -- 1) Does anyone put a coating of grease on the hitch ball? 2) Does anyone ever change the coupler because of wear?

Short answer Thorn, No. I have had the same trailer hitch for over 18 years. Only thing I do to the hitch is spray WD40 on it from time to time.

Thornback · December 10, 2017, 12:43:48 PM

I can't stand metal rubbing metal without some lubrication. Because my ball will collect dust and grit when it's greased and I'm just driving around without the trailer, what I like to do is grease the ball just before hitching the trailer. Then later when I unhitch the trailer I like to wipe the ball clean. That way no dust or grit collects on the ball.
I would think it would take a lot of towing for the ball to wear through the coupling.
I see some vehicles with rusted balls but I guess that is from not towing.

Princeton_Man · December 10, 2017, 02:25:21 PM

Quote from: Bassinlou on December 10, 2017, 12:31:13 PM
Short answer Thorn, No. I have had the same trailer hitch for over 18 years. Only thing I do to the hitch is spray WD40 on it from time to time.

Now I do do this. Actually, I pull the ball and store it in a box under the back seat along with a the hitch pin and a second ball. Everything gets sprayed with silicone including the hitch on the trailer. I'm not sure it provides that much lubrication, but it does prevent rust.

Oldfart9999 · December 11, 2017, 08:05:47 AM

I pull the ball every winter and every so often spray WD40 on and in the trailer piece.
Rodney

Rangerman · December 16, 2017, 05:03:10 PM

I use WD40 to clean the ball, then put a light coat of grease. WD does not do anything but make it look pretty

and grease in trailer coupler stop a lot of the noise. Be careful or your wife or girl friend going to give you hey about grease on you jeans

Captsteve · December 17, 2017, 05:20:08 AM

I started using grease because for some weird reason Ranger decided to put an aluminum hitch coupler on a steel trailer. Can't figure out the thinking behind that.

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West6550 · December 17, 2017, 09:40:19 PM

My buddy pulls a trailer 5 to 6 days a week. He installs cable and pulls a smaller cheap trailer. It took him a few years but they will wear out. I have never greased mine either but my grandfather always did. He was a trucker for a long time.. so maybe it is habit for him?

Here are his pictures he posted a few months ago. Insane.

Thornback · December 18, 2017, 08:19:13 AM

Wow! That looks like a little grease might have prevented that.

SteelHorseCowboy · December 19, 2017, 06:43:56 AM

Yeah, I believe so. As many bumper pull trailers as I've hauled, I've never seen that happen. I always replaced mine when they started feeling slack, usually with something heavier duty.

Pretty much anything made by Bulldog is better than OEM trailer equipment.

Deadeye · December 19, 2017, 06:52:31 AM

Well I do. I put some di-electric grease on my plugs (both sides) and then a bit on the ball as well. Or some wheel bearing grease.

No reason not to really, after all it is Steel on Steel or at least Metal to Metal.

I have a Ball Cover that goes on when the trailer comes off.

I also put some grease on the top gears of my Trailer Jack and run a little motor oil down through it to lubricate the inner parts.

SteelHorseCowboy · December 19, 2017, 10:02:02 AM

I do definitely lube the jacks. Sticky jacks are such a PITA. Especially if there's a heavy load on the trailer and some nitwit you work with has somehow miraculously managed to break off the handle.

My boss likes to haul our little light duty trailer around with the jack halfway down for the sole reason that he's too lazy to wind it all the way up. Pisses me off to no end. Cause when he trashed the first jack, I replaced it with a Bulldog. Now instead of beating the jack into submission, he's slowly destroying the trailer. That's a safety issue and it seems no matter how much screaming I do, I can't get him to quit! I've even pointed out that he, as the BOSS, doesn't even have any business doing such things, that's our labor hands' jobs. Half the time he doesn't use the safety chains or plug in the lights either.
I installed the same jack on this lawnmower trailer that I used on much bigger trailers when hauling tractors, excavators, and skid steers.

gatorglenn · February 16, 2018, 07:37:18 PM

Guys I drove a big rig for 20 years to the day. Grease your ball. It will make them last three times longer.

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Oldfart9999 · February 17, 2018, 07:48:12 AM

Quote from: gatorglenn on February 16, 2018, 07:37:18 PM
Guys I drove a big rig for 20 years to the day. Grease your ball. It will make them last three times longer.

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The attachment for a fifth wheel covers a pretty big area, it needs grease for ease of turning. I've greased a few back in the day. It won't hurt on the trailers we use.
Rodney

gatorglenn · February 17, 2018, 12:01:01 PM

When you read the information on a new trailer coupler when you buy it. It will tell you to grease it. Just saying

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Kris · February 17, 2018, 01:37:39 PM

I do coat the ball with Reese Grease. I found it on line one day and got a small jar for $5.00. I also try to keep the ball covered when not in use with a ball cover. I have two plain covers and one leaping bass cover.
In all the years I have been pulling trailers, boat/work/RV, I have never changed out a coupler. I have changed out two vehicle receiver hitches because of rust. I did have a Friend of mine ready to go fishing when I told him his hitch was broken loose on one side. He was ready to leave with his Nitro 18 footer. One of the problems fishing tidal/brackish water.

Donald Garner · February 17, 2018, 03:15:27 PM

I haven't grease the ball on my hitch in a long time. I use to keep covers on there but they all came up missing. The only time I change out the hitch is when I buy a different vehicle.

Polaris425 · February 17, 2018, 03:20:24 PM

I like to use a white lithium grease on mine.