How many grease the trailer ball??

[Hunna]

I have stainless & have no problem but I don't leave mine on.

[billnorman1]

The REASON to grease the ball is to keep it from galling metal to metal when turning. It is surmised that unless it is greased it might stick the ball to the socket, unscrewing the ball from the hitch.

[CJ1]

For something light like a boat I don't, but with some of my equipment and dump trailers I do as I am over 1500lbs of tong weight and that will wear the hitch fast. CJ

[kojimep]

I usually grease mine 2 times a year, during the off season I clean off all the old grease & start w/ new grease each year.

I just think, metal to metal, there is going to be wear, you wont see it, but there has to be wear on the ball & the trailer coupler.

Without grease, there definitely would be more wear than with the grease.

The reality in a ball hitch/trailer tongue relationship the grease isn't going to prevent metal to metal contact anyways. Most grease requires some movement in order to ride on the oil film (think a bearing, there is a minimum speed for minimizing metal to metal contact for a given viscosity). Unless you're using a very high viscosity grease with solid lubricants, which are not the same as EP additives.

[tdt91]

The REASON to grease the ball is to keep it from galling metal to metal when turning. It is surmised that unless it is greased it might stick the ball to the socket, unscrewing the ball from the hitch.

This is correct and it has happened many times over the years to the unsuspecting.

[Kenfuel]

Easy fix: Keep the boat hooked up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! he he

This is my thinking as well, and it doesnt get your pants greasy when you run into it.

[shortstick]

I have always used a little white lithium grease, don't know it it makes a difference or not.

[plbass]

Usually put a little on in the spring when I put on the new ball. Change it every year or when its worn.

[Dave A]

How can you tell when it's worn?

[Ckayak1]

^
yup

[twitch]

plbass you wear a ball out in a year, oh boy I had the same ball on my old truck for 10 years ,didn't know they wore out like that????

[1stindoor]

I never have. Though I do spray the ball with teflon spray about 1or 2 times a year. And, I've also never replaced a ball. Didn't even know you could wear one out. Wonder if the hitch is too high/low?

[CHECrappie]

Towed trailers for decades. Never dawned on me to grease the ball. I contact weigh safe and they said to not grease theirs.

[rgsauger]

The heavier the tongue weight, the more important to grease it. My bass boat can't tell...my rv raises hell if it's not greased