How do I know if my trailer coupler is adjusted correctly?

I own 2 trailers, and half of 2 others. And none of them like the same drop on the ballmount, or ball. When we unhook we pull the ballmount, stick the ball back in coupler, and lock it. When ready to hook up, we know the latch is open, because we just pulled the ball out. The surfaces that dirt would harm if it collected are protecting each other from dirt. The trailers are parked where little foot traffic so unlikely somebody will decide need the mount.

Sometimes, not using any grease will result in the ball turning and loosening up - even with it being properly torqued. This happened to me many years ago when we first started towing. The steel on steel friction was enough to turn the ball and it was bad enough to wallow out the hole the ball mounts into. There is a terrific amount of pressure on the ball and coupler when the WD bars are drawn up.

Ever since that happened I have been a strong advocate of greasing the trailer ball every time you go for a tow. Doesn't have to be globbed on just a thin even coat. I always wipe it off in between trips and re-grease before the next one. Just takes a minute and you don't get grease all over you pant leg when walking around it. Biggest benefit is that the ball wear and coupler wear is almost nil, and has never loosened up again in almost 40 years of towing.
Barney

I grease the TT ball. I don't grease the little utility trailer ball.

I just wipe it off every now and then and re-grease. Just your cheap 'general purpose' grease that I have in the gun.

Been working for me for the last 18 years of doing this RV thing..

I've not had to adjust the latch on either of my trailers. They let loose and go on pretty easy and I can lift up the tongue of the trailer with the jack, as that's what I do to set the WD bars.

Good luck! Mitch

JRscooby wrote:
Some high friction applications, where a lot of dirt would collect in lube, I run metal to metal, and repair the wear as needed. But a ball/coupler I always lube. Never seen a reason not too.

I always run my ball and coupler dry.

I had one trailer that sometimes did not want to drop on the ball even when you bounced up and down on the tongue. A little forward and back jiggle did the trick.

I always grease the ball....it’s metal to metal.

Lynnmor wrote:
Put the ball in the coupler and adjust till there is little to no play. Steel on steel needs grease.

Why do they make the coupler adjustable? To compensate for wear. Now very few RVs will be pulled enough to have issues. But a little grease makes it so much easier hook up and unhook. Why not lube the coupler?

Put the ball in the coupler and adjust till there is little to no play. Steel on steel needs grease.

Some high friction applications, where a lot of dirt would collect in lube, I run metal to metal, and repair the wear as needed. But a ball/coupler I always lube. Never seen a reason not too.

Sure fire way to adjust it is adjust it tighter until it's hard to close and then back it off just enough that it's easy to close.
And just look under it. You can see how much it engages on the hitch ball.
Grease? Personal preference deal here. If one tows A lot for a long time, same trailer, could actually put some wear n tear on the hitch. Casual user, weekend warrior, will never see any ill effects of not greasing. It certainly doesn't hurt anything though.

Attach the coupler to your TV, then raise the the tongue with the jack. If it picks your TV up, you are probably fine. Look underneath to see how the coupler is fitting under the ball.
Take just the ball, close the coupler and see how it fits, how much movement there is.
I’d do the ball solo first.