To grease or not to grease your trailer hitch ball

[jeepnuts]

I don’t do it. Never have. Probably won’t convince me to. What about y’all?

 

[The Old Jaybird]

Its a load-bearing joint, why wouldn't you lube it??? Ever see the fifth-wheel on a semi??

 

[Kahrnut]

I keep my balls lubed.

 

[jeepnuts]

Its a load-bearing joint, why wouldn't you lube it??? Ever see the fifth-wheel on a semi??

Yea those big flat pivot pads get a boat load of grease.

Chrome hitch balls though?

 

[jeep78]

Can't hurt to grease them, and I have done it a time or two. But, reality is virtually no one greases them.

 

[Jcchance]

I don’t do it. Never have. Probably won’t convince me to. What about y’all?

Same thing as when someone asks me if I use leather conditioner on my boots...No, whats that? Lol. My neighbor has been doing commercial mowing for as long as I can remember, I worked with him everyday through my high school summers 12 years ago. He still using the same chevy pickup and trailer and ball/hitch never seen a spec of grease, still going strong.

 

[DADI03]

Hitch ball, nope. But that is way different than a tractor and trailer. On top of that not only would it hurt like hell when you knock your shin on it but you would shmear grease across your pants.

 

[3clicks_Off]

Never have on a bumper pull

 

[LMK]

I do - use reese hitch ball grease. Just a little dab on top o da ball and done.
Just reduces friction but really only needed for heavy towing applications. Just slows down the wear on the coupler.

 

[Cornholio]

just squirt in in the hitch and not on the ball. then the ball would stay clean