Do you grease your balls?

[CHECK16]

I agree metal to metal with no lube at all is never good.

 

[Chris E]

i like this thread, lots of different thoughts all that make good sense. Let me throw this out:

in the 15+ years that i was in the boat business, i never replaced a ball because it broke or wore out. beleive me if there was any way to overload, underload, tongue heavy, tongue light, incorrect way of hauling a trailer - i've done it and never had a trailer failure, ball failure, or truck failure for that matter - maybe i was lucky i don't know.

my biggest trailer nightmare is wiring - but we won't go there!

 

[merc245]

I trailerd my starflite 10's of thousands of miles. And not 1 failure do to lack of BALL strength.As for wiring, Do you pull out or are you one of those guys who leave it in while getting it wet.

 

[Chris E]

I trailerd my starflite 10's of thousands of miles. And not 1 failure do to lack of BALL strength.As for wiring, Do you pull out or are you one of those guys who leave it in while getting it wet.

always disconnect - you're already back there taking the straps off anyway

 

[orangecrush]

i did but kept getting grease on myself when opening the back doors on my suburban. always remembered when it was to late.

 

[justincase]

trailer

I dont mind trailer wiring matter of fact i kinda enjoy wiring stuff but i do unplug it except for the brakes...to many blown bulbs in the past....

 

[alwaysredee]

I personally DO grease the hitch ball, simply because I prefer smoother operation when tilting at the ramp and cornering. Although, I never had any real issues when I did not. I also don't normally unplug either. The whole issue (including blown bulbs) Is essentially having a solid, sealed ground system. Many of the new trailer light systems (most are now LED'S) are sealed so well the are pretty much totally waterproof if the wiring is right. By the way, sorry I haven't been around lately fellas.

 

[harleyherb]

If you don't have a ground wire on your trailer wiring, you don't need to greese the hitch ball. I tried that once and couldn't get the trailer lights to work after that.

 

[Big Red]

I grease my trailer ball and my light bulb sockets and plug. I always unplug the lights when backing in. I do not ever have a light problem only if I snag the wires on a auto trans some clown threw in at the boat ramp.

P.S. Thanks Clown

Big Red N.C.

76 Jetmate
96 convincor

 

[83PREDICTOR]

Dose anyone use the stainless steel balls?
If so, do they hold up better/longer?

 

[Enticer1]

Unplugged

Never have greased the ball, do unplug if I remember:cheers

 

[sawcat]

Never have, but the teflon sounds like a good idea. I do try to remember to unplug the lights. The title of this thread made it a must read.I got a good chuckle from it.Thanks for the thread cooperider.

 

[83PREDICTOR]

I dont grease my ball but I WD-40 the tongue of the trailer to keep the spring in the locking system loose.

 

[Bob Dobbs]

I never had a boat, but pulled a landscape trailer for many years. Never greased the ball, but thought about whether I should or not. The ball does get wear and tear over time. I did oil it one time and then forgot and that oil was all over my hands, arm, clothes, and what a mess! I will never do that again.

 

[OTonyOh]

Oil? Grease? Does it really matter? :cheers Whats gonna happen?

 

[Eluder]

Greased Balls????

My BALL rotates 360- it's the type that you can change Ball size and has Ball Bearings inside and i grease it. I would not use anything else since i also pull a 4500 lbs camping trailer...

 

[Eaglenva]

who could resist this tread... lol

ok, stainless ball (less rust issue)
unplug the wiring (seldom forget - except to replug afterwards and have to pull over)
no grease, - thinking may butter flavored pam spray. no, really i like the teflon idea - have never had a problem w/o though.

 

[smsmith36]

Dose anyone use the stainless steel balls?
If so, do they hold up better/longer?

I have a stainless ball on now but havn't had it long enough to tell if it's any better or not. It is staying better looking and isn't all rusty.

 

[Rob B]

Nope

Can't say that I've ever greased my ball, actually never thought about it. But I did stay in a Holiday Inn last night....

 

[smit401]

What a mess (greasy balls). I use a silicone spray on the coupler and locking mechanism.
Never heard of a ball or coupling wearing out.!!