Hitch Ball Wearing
 

I noticed that the hitch ball on the EAZ-Lift brand hitch that came with my trailer seems to be wearing. There is pitting and slight gouging on the top part of the ball. Is this a reason to be concerned?

Also, the previous owner of the hitch used a spray white lithium to lube the ball. Is that a good lube to use?

Thanks,

I don't think you need to be concerned as long as the diameter of the ball is not compromised. But, you can buy a new ball almost anywhere for very little cash if you don't trust it.

I use bearing grease on my ball, when I remember to lube it. It contains molybdenum. I also have the ball covered with a stretchy (rubber?) cover when it is not in use. Keeps things clean and there's been no corrosion. I suspect lithium grease is OK too, but I don't think it has quite as much "staying power".

- Jack

Greg, in the real world you will find probably one person in ten puts lube on their balls. They're cheap, almost can't wear one out, and if you have black grease on the ball then it's on everything else in sight also.

Which is why I cover mine when it's not in use! ;) The black grease doesn't wear off or dry out either.

- Jack

Hi Jim,

I never used any grease on my little landscape trailer but noticed the previous owner of the Hi-Lo used a spray white lithium grease on the hitch ball. Sounds like some lube and some don't!

Thanks,

I use the spray lithium because its simple and handy. I do the ball and, of course, my load bars for the WDH where they snap in. Idon't always do the ball, though. Just when I think of it.

Rick

Found this on another forum:
"I'm not so much worried about the hardened ball wearing as I am about the mild steel trailer coupler. Metal on metal always requires some type of lubrication."

They must make this for a reason:
White Grease Hitch Ball Lube Reese Accessories and Parts 58117

I can't remember the last time I lubed mine. :eek:

I have a container of that for the ball, a small tube of Vaseline for the bar to cam contact area, and a can of 3in1 to lube the bars to hitch. They keep everything lubed and quiet.

A hitch ball should always be lubed. While one may be cheap it can sometimes be a pain to replace. Moreover a dry hitch ball will cause undue wear on the coupler and the coupler latch parts.

In addition, the spring bars on a WDH should be lubed at the pivot points.

Be as it may, Brenda and I just made a trip through the RV park in Fairbanks and near as we could tell, of the twenty or so rigs we looked at every single one was dry. Yes, they may have had clear spray, but none was actually visible. (Probably still a good idea, however)