Grease???

[frscott]

I was taking off my hitch today, and grimaced at the black I got on my hands. But it brought a memory of my helping my dad with the trailer hitch (sadly a Coachman), and he used a tremendous amount of bearing grease on the hitch, when I would grab that hitch I had to wash for days to get that goo off my hands! My question is why did he use it and why don't I? Should I be greasing the hitch and if so why??

[SSChanger]

Greasing the hitch seems to me to be a good idea--there is significant metal-to-metal contact, and the grease would prolong the life of the hitch socket and the internal latching mechanisms. That being said, U-hall doesn't do grease on their hitches--they just hook 'em up and wave goodbye.

There is a white silicon grease that I use on the hitch ball and all of the metal-to-metal parts of the Reese Dual Cam system I use. I think it makes sense from a physics standpoint and should prolong the life of the equipment.

To keep the grease away from hands an clothing, I've inserted a 12" long, 1" diameter dowel in the hitch post assembly when I'm ready to remove and carry it. That way I can get both hands on the 40 lb piece of metal and keep the grease away from me.

Good luck!

[Airslide]

Hi Frscott,

My answer would be yes. Its a very high friction point and without grease there is wear. Since your trailer does not depend on that contact for its electrical ground and that is not considered your anti sway device then why not grease it? I dont think you need to use as much as your Dad did but a little inspection and maybe rub the grease back around on the ball would go along way.

One mans opinion..

Vinnie

[JStanley]

I noticed one long-time Airstreamer not using grease. On each hook-up, he covered the ball with a square piece of aluminum foil. Ever hear of that and what do you think of it?

[azflycaster]

I use the Reese Hitch Grease on mine. It prevent wear on the ball and helps prevent the ball from loosening (I've been told). I clean all of the old grease off when I unhitch, the dirty grease leave an ugly mark on a yellow lab.

[Airslide]

And if there is grease on a hitch ball anywhere in the park.. this dog will find and bring it home!

[markdoane]

Originally Posted by azflycaster

. . . I clean all of the old grease off when I unhitch, the dirty grease leave an ugly mark on a yellow lab.

Yellow is a recessive color.

If you dye him black he would look just like a real Lab and the grease wouldn't show.

[SteveH]

Originally Posted by JStanley

I noticed one long-time Airstreamer not using grease. On each hook-up, he covered the ball with a square piece of aluminum foil. Ever hear of that and what do you think of it?

I've not heard of using aluminum foil, but I have used a square of waxed paper over the hitch ball. Seemed to work OK, and it solved the mess of the grease.

[handn]

1 vote for no grease. I am sure it is better for your hitch like eating brocoli is better for you, but I hate the stuff on my hands in in the storage compartments when I have to hide the hitch in there.
I have towed a lot with my Equilizer and it is hanging in there with no grease whatsoever!!! It looks like it will last as long as the Airstream.
P.S. You have to ignore the squeaks and groans.

[frscott]

Great info! Thanks all and Merry Christmas!

[overlander63]

For grease on the ball and other pivot points, it is needed, or will cause more wear and noise on the parts. A guy at a trailer repair place tried to convince me to go greaseless, citing the fact that the grease attracts dirt and grit, accelerating wear on the parts more than a dry connection. I, umm, disagreed. If you grease the ball, simply put a ball cover over it, either in the form of a purpose-made cover, or simply cut a hole in a tennis ball and slide it on the ball. This will keep most dirt and yellow labs from getting together with the ball. Unless, of course, the lab chases tennis balls...

[TomW]

Originally Posted by markdoane

Yellow is a recessive color.

If you dye him black he would look just like a real Lab and the grease wouldn't show.

Different dogs for different lubes...

Tom

[markdoane]

Originally Posted by overlander63

Unless, of course, the lab chases tennis balls...

Question for the forums:

Has anyone ever know a lab that doesn't?

[memgrove2000]

We had the tennis ball fight with our dog at first. Then had to switch to a can coozie made by coleman ( thinner and rubber not foam) It is a little loose but has never blown off when the trailer was not with us but the hitch was.