How to deal with grease on ball of receiver

I also lock the ball in coupler when camping. This controls the spread of grease to where it does not belong, plus reduces the amount of dust that will collect on the grease/ball.
To use grease or not. I tried wax paper. When I loosened the latch so it would close I had play as the paper wore out. A big hammer will distort the coupler. I don't think many will pull their RV enough to wear the coupler, but how often do we have threads "Can't get coupler off ball"?

I used to tie a plastic bag over the ball. Then I found it was just easier to put it in the front storage compartment. Then I wouldn't have to run into it.

I used a 4 inch PVC end cap with the screw end cap. It fit perfectly over the ball. I then had a cloth bag with draw strings I'd slip over the hitch and end cap, so if driving down the road the cap would not fly off. I also kept the cap and cloth bag over the hitch when detached from the truck and stowed away. Because the end cap did not have to "forced" over the ball, and because it was actually bigger than the ball, grease on the outside of the cap was never a problem. It always stayed inside the cap. If we were at a campground and I knew the truck was not moving (like a short week-end), I'd just put the cap over the ball without the bag.

cavie wrote:

Grit dog wrote:
More seriously, you don't need to grease your balls. Never wore my balls or ball holders out in a lot of days trailering all kinds of trailers.

You've never seen a coupler worn thru? You've lead a sheltered life. LOL

When I had my construction business we kept two bumper pull cargo trailer as job site tool trailers. I ran a eight state area so those trailers saw lots of use. The 20 footer had two couplers replaced because they were worn beyond specs. They get thin on top and usually break through.

I use plastic slip on ball covers. I've found for my use I have less issues with grease getting where its not wanted.

Grit dog wrote:
More seriously, you don't need to grease your balls. Never wore my balls or ball holders out in a lot of days trailering all kinds of trailers.

You've never seen a coupler worn thru? You've lead a sheltered life. LOL

More seriously, you don't need to grease your balls. Never wore my balls or ball holders out in a lot of days trailering all kinds of trailers.

I pull the hitch head and lock it into the trailer tongue. Problem solved and no busted skin on the shines or grease on the legs.. :)

Mitch

I have used a tennis ball, just cut a hole large enough to slip over the ball. Another option is that people have used wax paper instead of grease on the ball something I have never tried.

I tie one of those (forbidden in CA) plastic grocery bags over mine. If staying longer than a day or two I have a receiver mounted on my A frame(by the battery) and I turn my hitch over and lock it onto that.