SilvrT Posted August 9, 2010 #1 Posted August 9, 2010 no, this isn't a joke ... but I figgured it would get somebody's attention I'll admit I am not very experienced when it comes to towing a trailer so I got to wondering.... do you put grease in the trailer tongue where the tow ball goes or just leave it dry?
Dave77459 Posted August 9, 2010 #2 Posted August 9, 2010 I grease mine, but I don't know if I should. Seems like metal-on-metal action wants grease... It's messy and seems to find my pants, so I'd rather not do it if someone can tell me authoritatively that the ball doesn't need grease. Dave
Squidley Posted August 9, 2010 #4 Posted August 9, 2010 I never grease mine. Hasn't hurt it yet. Same here, I'll lube the mechanical portion of the retainer, but I have never put grease on the ball. I know some folks do, but unless your pulling a trailer on any vehicle 24/7 then I am doubting that it's an issue.
SilvrT Posted August 9, 2010 Author #6 Posted August 9, 2010 I lube my ball... now Randy.... that's just TOO MUCH INFORMATION!!! :sign20:
dave_wells Posted August 9, 2010 #7 Posted August 9, 2010 I use a small amount of lithium grease in the beginning of the year Just enough to stop the squeak ( drives me nuts ) To much then it is just messy Up to the squeak I have never bothered with grease on my trailers.
SilvrT Posted August 9, 2010 Author #8 Posted August 9, 2010 Thanks guys for the feedback ... I think I'll "lube my ball"... (and the mechanical portion of the retainer) and try to not get any of it on my pants .
Bushwacker Posted August 9, 2010 #9 Posted August 9, 2010 Started pulling Cyclemate trailer back in 1984 w/first gen, still pulling trailer not that one and yes I grease the ball on the bike, but I use vasoline it is not as messy as grease and comes out of clothing alot easy'er if you get it on you. Bushwacker:scorched:
Hummingbird Posted August 9, 2010 #10 Posted August 9, 2010 A shot of silicone spray or WD 40 every once in a while does wonders. It works great on my travel trailer, can't se it hurting a smaller version
Flyinfool Posted August 9, 2010 #11 Posted August 9, 2010 A greased ball will wear out faster than a dry one. Think about this, What is grinding compound? Grinding compound is an abrasive (dirt) mixed with grease. The grease being sticky will collect and hold any dirt kicked up by the bike tires and that dirt mixed with the grease makes an effective grinding compound. I use a dry Teflon lube on all of my balls and couplers. It does not get onto clothing once it is dry. (takes about 5 minutes to dry) It does not hold any dust or dirt once dry. It prevents squeaks. It is waterproof so it will not wash off in the rain. As a bonus I use it on the actions of all of my hunting guns. The lube that I use is Remington Rem-DriLube. Any dry Teflon based aerosol lube will work the same.
Brake Pad Posted August 9, 2010 #12 Posted August 9, 2010 No on the Ball, But Yes, on plastic wrap, so you don't lesson to the sqeeking sounds just rap a piece over the ball, no more sounds:cool10:
KeithR Posted August 9, 2010 #13 Posted August 9, 2010 I have heard of placing a piece of wax paper over the ball ? I haven't tried it tho! Keith
dray Posted August 10, 2010 #15 Posted August 10, 2010 I lube my ball... well ya best take care of it if ya only got the one:stickpoke: Leave it dry on mine:thumbsup: if you do its just a dirt collector
saddlebum Posted August 10, 2010 #16 Posted August 10, 2010 Have been pulling trailers forever and never greased the ball. A lot of dirt collects on a greased ball and tends to do more grinding then lubricating.
mrich12000 Posted August 10, 2010 #17 Posted August 10, 2010 http://www.found****.com/pictures/animals/giraffe-tongue.jpg I would if I had this touge..
a1bummer Posted August 10, 2010 #18 Posted August 10, 2010 A greased ball will wear out faster than a dry one. Think about this, What is grinding compound? Grinding compound is an abrasive (dirt) mixed with grease. The grease being sticky will collect and hold any dirt kicked up by the bike tires and that dirt mixed with the grease makes an effective grinding compound. I use a dry Teflon lube on all of my balls and couplers. It does not get onto clothing once it is dry. (takes about 5 minutes to dry) It does not hold any dust or dirt once dry. It prevents squeaks. It is waterproof so it will not wash off in the rain. As a bonus I use it on the actions of all of my hunting guns. The lube that I use is Remington Rem-DriLube. Any dry Teflon based aerosol lube will work the same.
warriorhoneybee Posted August 10, 2010 #19 Posted August 10, 2010 balm x for the boys, and a litte lube for the reciever.the ball needs to stay dry so it will ground properly.
RoadKill Posted August 11, 2010 #21 Posted August 11, 2010 I use a small amount of lithium grease in the beginning of the year Just enough to stop the squeak ( drives me nuts ) To much then it is just messy Up to the squeak I have never bothered with grease on my trailers. DITTO for me. I do it to all my trailers and the beginning of the season each year.
Dragonslayer Posted August 11, 2010 #22 Posted August 11, 2010 no, this isn't a joke ... but I figgured it would get somebody's attention This thread would be funnier if it was a joke... so here's my input No I find my saliva is enough lubricant.
SilvrT Posted August 11, 2010 Author #23 Posted August 11, 2010 balm x for the boys, and a litte lube for the reciever.the ball needs to stay dry so it will ground properly. Since I am using a 5-wire, one of them is a ground directly to the bike. I wired the trailer that way so that every light is wired to the ground wire going to the bike.
1 Canuck Posted August 11, 2010 #24 Posted August 11, 2010 You're going to think I'm out in left field on this one, but for years I have been using a thin piece of fine steel wool over the trailer ball. It keeps the coupler and the ball clean, free of rust and you'll always have a good ground. When the steel wool wears out I use another thin piece. However, it does develop very fine scratches or a tarnish look on your chrome ball, but that doesn't really doesn't bother me any.
Rick Haywood Posted August 12, 2010 #25 Posted August 12, 2010 do you put grease in the trailer tongue where the tow ball goes or just leave it dry? I spray mine down with a good silicone spay everytime I pull a trailer and if I am on vacation I will give it another coat every couple of days. Keeps it slick but without the mess
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