Checking Trailer Ball

[Tromanoski]

Just a little reminder of something that I am know going to pay a little closer attention to. While trailering back from the lake I could feel a little more movement when I came to a complete stop. I thought it was just the surge brakes. Backed the boat into the garage and when cranking the boat trailer off the hitch I thought I noticed the ball moving. Sure enough it was really loose and the nut was only holding on by a couple of threads. Pretty spooky. The only thing that I can think that made it work loose was a couple of days prior I had sprayed the ball with anti rust lubricant to make it easier to come on and off the hitch. I use my boat about once a week all year around so I typically don't remove my trailer ball/reciever from my truck. Im going to start doing that a little more from know on and check the lock nut.

[ldant]

I weld mine. I know it won't come loose.

[Rip Bass]

I can't see the nut coming loose if it was torqued down tight enough. Maybe someone was trying to "borrow" it. I tightened mine and then beat the threads down to a wad,have to cut it off if I ever need to remove it.

[Tromanoski]

I can't see the nut coming loose if it was torqued down tight enough. Maybe someone was trying to "borrow" it. I tightened mine and then beat the threads down to a wad,have to cut it off if I ever need to remove it.

I put it on with a large pipe wrench. Used two hands when tightening the nut so I don't know why it worked loose. Im replacing it with a new one.

[Bass AHolic]

when new ..I drill a hole all way thru nut and ball shaft, when torqued down, then knock a matching hole size steel pin, then brad each end, to a old style rivet head look.. of course locking rod in Hitch, theft proof ball

[AlK]

I always drill a hole in the shaft just below the nut and then insert a cotter pin.

Yup, one year coming back from hunting the nut came off and the trailer came off the hitch, the only thing that kept the trailer from coming totally detached from the truck was the safety chain. By the time we came to a stop only about 2/3 of the ball was left.

[billnorman1]

Lubricant on the ball only helps keep it from loosening. You should always put some grease on the ball, otherwise why bother knocking yourself in the shins when you walk into it, with grease, you have something to see just exactly where the oweee is.

[bassnman81]

I weld the ball nut, keeps it from getting loose. The more important thing is someone can't steal it. Another thing even if you lock the trailer to the ball the trailer can still get stolen simply by unbolting the ball and and bolting it to their truck and driving off with the trailer.

[krindgen]

You can also take a chisel to the exposed threads. Just distort the threads in two places, put the chisel across the threads and a couple whacks.

[tdt91]

Lubricant on the ball only helps keep it from loosening. You should always put some grease on the ball, otherwise why bother knocking yourself in the shins when you walk into it, with grease, you have something to see just exactly where the oweee is.

This, keep the ball greased !!! It may not look nice and shiny but the hitch socket will turn easily on it. It's been known for the hitch socket to grab the ball from friction and over time loosen the ball from all the turns. My balls stay greased.

[snapshotmd]

My balls stay greased.

I'm sure Marie appreciates it. I have to keep mine greased b/c I have an actuator that pivots back and forth on the ball, in addition to turning.

[1bluemcm]

Do you all use a lock washer? The few I've tried to get loose after using the lock washer have beer really stinking hard to get loose. Wouldn't prevent a determined theif, but I would think it would be enough to keep it from loosening on it's own.

[fishnfireman]

Do you all use a lock washer? The few I've tried to get loose after using the lock washer have beer really stinking hard to get loose. Wouldn't prevent a determined theif, but I would think it would be enough to keep it from loosening on it's own.

I'm with you. When put on correctly most times that lock washer will take a cheater pipe to bust it loose.

[tdt91]

I'm with you. When put on correctly most times that lock washer will take a cheater pipe to bust it loose.

Very possibly so, but why take the chance? I little cheap grease with a brush is good insurance.

[snapshotmd]

Very possibly so, but why take the chance? I little cheap grease with a brush is good insurance.

Not to mention the wear on the tounge hitch assembly that locks the trailer to the ball.

[1bluemcm]

I'm with you. When put on correctly most times that lock washer will take a cheater pipe to bust it loose.

The last one I had to get loose did take a cheater pipe and even then I thought something would break before that sucker came loose.

[SoonerFan]

What would be the proper torque spec for the ball nut?

[snapshotmd]

What would be the proper torque spec for the ball nut?

10,255 ft-lbs.

[SoonerFan]

10,255 ft-lbs.

We're going to need a bigger torque wrench.

[fishnfireman]

Very possibly so, but why take the chance? I little cheap grease with a brush is good insurance.

I do grease my balls -- but it's not to keep a correctly installed nut with a lock washer from coming loose.