Rusty ball

[thehippie]

I Bought this ball hitch less than three months ago and it’s only sparingly used. But I wonder why this got Rusty here pretty quick. It’s even rated 30,000 pounds


Anyone experience this?

Is it still safe to use?


https://ibb.co/6ghfqwW

[Etstorm]

From the thread title, I thought we had a new STD

[SidecarFlip]

O don't care for chrome plated balls (hitch) myself. The plating rubs off and then they rust. I prefer forged balls, much stronger.

[Grit_dog]

Was gonna say I can't see Hippie's balls and I'm glad, but then someone posted a pic. Now it can't be unseen....

Btw it's fine.

[SidecarFlip]

Old-Biscuit wrote:

That ball has terminal acne....:E

Run it anyway.

[enblethen]

Only 30,000 Curt balls are not chrome plated but hardened raw steel.

Curt 30,000 balls

[Dutch_12078]

Every painted steel trailer ball I've ever owned would rust when I didn't keep a coat of grease on it. The best rust free trailer balls I've owned were made from 304 or 316 stainless steel and were a bit pricey. But they last and don't corrode...

[cavie]

Curt. Enough said. Chinese junk. Advanced auto Parts replaced Reese with Curt. What does that tell you.

[Old-Biscuit]

[Old-Biscuit]

It's a CURT 2 5/16" 30K rated Ball with a VERY POOr inferior chrome plating job
plating has flaked off even on no contact syrfaces

Rust not a big issue.....pitting is and will only get worse

If purchased at a STORE----return it
If purchased ON LINE.contact CURT---explain time frame and send pictures
Bet CURT would be interested in defective plating

[ScottG]

Rust isn't a sign of inferior metal. Quite the contrary - ever notice bank vault doors have protective shields over the surface? That's because a finger print will cause almost immediate rust on the surface of the hardened metal. Or how fast high end brake rotors rust?
I would (and do) leave a film of grease over the ball to keep it front rusting or wearing excessively into the tongue.

[romore]

enblethen wrote:
The ball appears to be pitted around some of the rust. I doubt whether the ball is hardened enough for a rating of 30,000, more like 3,000. It could have been caused by chemical such as salt or other deicing chemicals.
Make and shaft diameter of ball?

I agree, it is likely a cheap offshore knockoff. I would not use it.

[IB853347201]

Where did you buy this ball? I would take it back immediately..

[enblethen]

The ball appears to be pitted around some of the rust. I doubt whether the ball is hardened enough for a rating of 30,000, more like 3,000. It could have been caused by chemical such as salt or other deicing chemicals.
Make and shaft diameter of ball?

[way2roll]

Gotta grease your balls - especially if they aren't being used. Just sayin..

[drsteve]

No problem. If you keep a little grease on it that won't happen, but it's not going to affect the performance of the ball.