Greasing your Balls (trailer hitch ball)

sac89 wrote:
I have towed my new camper probably 8 times now since buying new. New camper, new hitch, new ball, everything. It makes this awful squeaking noise every time I turn now. Am I supposed to put some sort of grease on the ball to prevent that from happening?

Use "white Lithium", comes in a squeeze tube. Lithium dosen't leave greasy black marks all your hands or pants. I use a little rubber ball cover (camping world) to keep from getting grease all over your clothes.

I remember reading that some people use wax paper. They put a couple sheets on the ball before connecting the trailer.
I've never tried it but, maybe it works.

I grease the "stinger" also. :S

Dutchman Sport - Awesome!! That's what I was going for with the topic name.

I have new weight distribution hitch as well. I am still trying to determine the proper number of links to secure onto the bracket. I am currently at three links from the top. When i tow with the tanks full, the trailer is steering me, when the tanks are empty, i steer the trailer.

I don't know if the noise is coming from the distribution hitch or the ball. I am assuming the ball.

I once thought that any kind of grease would be OK. After traveling great distances this year I found that the white lithium grease just didn't do well. I cleaned and greased at every uncoupling. After seeing the metal particles and hearing the squeak, I switched to red wheel bearing grease and ended the problems.

Yes, you can grease the ball/coupler.

It is more common for weight distribution hitches to be making noise. What have you got?

You normally want grease on the ball and inside the hitch coupler on the trailer. Any kind of grease will work. The problem with grease however, once you apply it, the ball and hitch coupler forever remain dirty, not good on your clothes if you brush up against it. Still, a necessary item.

About the kind to use, ... the answer is anything. I don't think there one kind more superior than any other. It's just the applicator that makes it easier or not. FYI, on another forum in the past someone was asking what is the best grease to use. A responded suggested KY jelly ... which.... actually will work too, just won't stand up over time. I jumped on that and suggested "His and Hers" and hoped their camper and tow vehicle had a GREAT time! But really, anything will work, even hand lotion! :)