To grease the ball or not?

The correct answer is yes.

Thought that's why they made tennis balls :)

Does not take much rotation or movement to gall two pieces of metal. Stainless steel under pressure is very susceptible to galling. Grease to a cheap preventative measure.

Over the years, I have seen several trailer couplers ruined(cracked) and balls ruined due to no grease.
After a while of the metal and metal the balls gets deformed and no longer can be safely used. The couplers will crack after a while of metal on metal contact and as other have said a new coupler will need to be welded on.

Grease it only if you'd like to be able to use it more than two or three times before it is gouged to death.

Fact: without lube of some sort, it is metal on metal under huge stress and pressure. Add a fair amount of grit, dust, sand and road dirt, and it is going to wear out fairly quickly.

4 thicknesses of wax paper will work. For light trailers. but that's lube, of sorts.

Yes ours is a light weigh trailer but. I use a stainless steel ball (harder) and a BullDog hitch (Much heavier duty). Trailer is almost always not attached to the TV when camping and NO I do not want a greasy ball.

When we had our TT, I always greased the ball. My daughter was kind enough to wipe off the excess on many trips soon after arrival. On her pants leg. I miss those days.

Bipeflier wrote:
One method that I and others have used for years, at least on smaller trailers is to fold up a sheet of waxed paper until it is 4 thicknesses. Fold this over the ball and hook the trailer. The wax acts as the lube but is isn't messy.

I've used this on my motorcycle camper for years and the waxed paper will usually last a couple of days. Cheap and fairly clean.

Not a bad plan, but I just cary a small tub of grease in the TV tool box and Paper towels, Grease on then grease off for the GN on the daughters horse trailer. Sorry I am very old school, moving parts get grease.

One method that I and others have used for years, at least on smaller trailers is to fold up a sheet of waxed paper until it is 4 thicknesses. Fold this over the ball and hook the trailer. The wax acts as the lube but is isn't messy.

I've used this on my motorcycle camper for years and the waxed paper will usually last a couple of days. Cheap and fairly clean.

If you do not grease it you will have to replace it often. Left dry it will grind it down and also the inside of the hitch. You will also have to replace it. Cutting it off and welding a new one on. Easier to just put some grease on the ball. Carry paper towels to wipe it off when you unhook.

When two pieces of metal rub on each other they should ALWAYS be lubricated. I've seen balls that were actually loosened over time from friction of not being lubed.