I've been towing a bumper pull travel trailers and boats around for years I've never greased the ball on the hitch. I'm looking at stuff all over the Internet saying that you should Grease the ball on the hitch? Now you know everything on the Internet is true :-) So here is the question. What do my fellow travel trailer people do grease or no grease on the ball? PS. Before someone says we have a thread on that. I looked and couldn't find it. ;)

I grease mine, but don't leave the ball on the truck.

I grease mine then wipe it with a lint free cloth. Just enough lubrication without it being messy.

I grease the ball for the TT. I don't grease the one I use for my utility trailer..Only because the TT weighs a lot more and the utility trailer does not.I pull the hitch head out of the truck when not it use, so no big deal, and it's a lot quieter and probably saving the ball from wear.Just what I do.. No idea if needed or not, but works for me.Good luck!Mitch

I grease mine with Vaseline, which is easier to wash out of pants. :)There was a time when I didn't grease it but the ball wore and the couple galled. It was also noisy at times. Also, a buddy who works on construction equip showed me how balls had worn through several of their trailers couplers requiring eventual replacement.

I do a quick spray of dry graphite lube on the ball before hitching After unhitching I wipe the ball off with a rag so I don't end up with lube on ME, my pants legs, my hands etc

Travel trailer hitch | Good Sam Community

DiskDoctr
Explorer
Mar 26, 2017
Balls are cheap, maybe one pair of pants or less ;)

I don't grease them, but my shins also heal
Woodtroll
Explorer
Mar 26, 2017
I grease mine. As already pointed out, weight-distributing hitches put a LOT of force on the ball, more than just the actual tongue weight. Since I got in the habit with our travel trailer and big farm trailers, I usually grease the lighter trailer balls too. It makes me feel better, but I agree that it is less necessary on the light trailers.
Ductape_Dave
Explorer
Mar 25, 2017
I keep mine lightly greased and after unhitching the trailer I just put a baggie on it so I don't get grease on me.
wannavolunteerF
Explorer
Mar 25, 2017
I only grease mine when I am trying to be sure trailer drops onto ball easily or comes off ball easier. I don't always get it perfectly aligned so a squirt of silicon will help it slide on easier. If I seems I have to jump up and down on tailgate of truck for it to come loose, I will give it a squirt.
Vintage465
Nomad
Mar 25, 2017
ScottG wrote:
I grease mine with Vaseline, which is easier to wash out of pants. :)
There was a time when I didn't grease it but the ball wore and the couple galled. It was also noisy at times. Also, a buddy who works on construction equip showed me how balls had worn through several of their trailers couplers requiring eventual replacement.

I've always greased mine. And I grease my old style round bars where the slide up in and lock in the hitch head. Much quieter operation. Usually what ever grease is around. There is no way I am able to keep it off myself for some reason as much as i try. The part about replacing the coupler on the trailer is trouble I don't need.
caseyhoward
Explorer
Mar 25, 2017
Thanks for the feedback
engine31
Explorer
Mar 20, 2017
Ok I do grease my hitch ball on my trailer and on my boat hitch I have used the same hitch for boat and utility trailer for years no issues, obviously my camper trailer has a larger hitch and I grease it too without any issues.
Happy Greasing!:D
dodge_guy
Explorer II
Mar 20, 2017
I carry a small tub of wheel bearing grease. I put a small dab on the ball occasionally. My ball looks like new.

Boats are different in that the tongue weight is lighter. So the pressure on the ball is less.
owenssailor
Explorer
Mar 20, 2017
I grease mine. The hitch stays installed all winter. I caver the ball with one of the fitted caps. Then we don't get grease on our clothes.
Turtle_n_Peeps
Explorer
Mar 20, 2017
I never have greased mine. My trailer is 30 YO. Hitch is fine.....so are my pants. :)

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