HITCH PINS Safety and Security - Page 4 - Escape Trailer Owners Community
Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×

Go Back   Escape Trailer Owners Community > Escape Tech > Towing and Hitching
Click Here to Login
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 07-25-2017, 01:32 PM   #61
Senior Member
 
Mike Lewis's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Santa Rosa County, Florida
Trailer: 2014 Escape 21 Tow: 2024 Toyota Tundra
Posts: 3,097
Thanks for the responses. Greasing the trailer ball is listed as a maintenance item, but I've always wondered why. There is a reason not to, related to the messiness: the grease attracts dirt and grit, which would cause even more wear than just bare, dry metal-on-metal contact.

When I lived on the farm we greased everything else, all the time; my dad bought grease by the drum. But with all the farm trailer towing we did I don't recall ever (1) removing a hitch from its receiver or (2) greasing the trailer ball. I guess it's possible that friction from turning with a trailer could gradually loosen the ball, though, so I might start greasing it. But I think I'll leave the hitch in place and avoid another chance for error. I don't want to screw up with a hitch.
__________________
Mike Lewis
She don't lie, she don't lie, she don't lie-- propane
Photos and travelogues here: mikelewisimages.com
Mike Lewis is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-25-2017, 01:55 PM   #62
Senior Member
 
float5's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Denison, Texas
Trailer: 2015 21'; 2011 19' sold; 4Runner; ph ninezero3 327-27ninefour
Posts: 5,136
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike Lewis View Post
Thanks for the responses. Greasing the trailer ball is listed as a maintenance item, but I've always wondered why. There is a reason not to, related to the messiness: the grease attracts dirt and grit, which would cause even more wear than just bare, dry metal-on-metal contact.

When I lived on the farm we greased everything else, all the time; my dad bought grease by the drum. But with all the farm trailer towing we did I don't recall ever (1) removing a hitch from its receiver or (2) greasing the trailer ball. I guess it's possible that friction from turning with a trailer could gradually loosen the ball, though, so I might start greasing it. But I think I'll leave the hitch in place and avoid another chance for error. I don't want to screw up with a hitch.

We put the grease on right before hooking up, then wipe it off right after unhooking. No dirt can get on it.
__________________
Cathy. Floating Cloud
"Live in the sunshine, swim the sea, drink the wild air.... "
Emerson
float5 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-25-2017, 02:16 PM   #63
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: West Coast, Florida
Trailer: None now
Posts: 1,266
Quote:
Originally Posted by float5 View Post
We put the grease on right before hooking up, then wipe it off right after unhooking. No dirt can get on it.

Same here. Otherwise I am guaranteed to very shortly after have a big black grease smear on my leg or pants.
I used to put a little ball cover on it but found that was a hassle to keep clean. It attracted sand and dirt.
wetzk is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-25-2017, 02:32 PM   #64
Senior Member
 
Vermilye's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Oswego, New York
Trailer: 2017 Escape 21C, 2018 Ford F150
Posts: 5,363
Quote:
Originally Posted by wetzk View Post
Same here. Otherwise I am guaranteed to very shortly after have a big black grease smear on my leg or pants.
I used to put a little ball cover on it but found that was a hassle to keep clean. It attracted sand and dirt.
I don't use grease, but still get a black pants dressing when hitting the ball...
__________________
Jon Vermilye My Travel Blog
Travel and Photo Web Page ... My Collection of RV Blogs 2018 F150 3.5EB, 2017 21
Vermilye is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-27-2017, 01:08 AM   #65
Senior Member
 
Great Eggstrications's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Redmond, Washington
Trailer: 2015 E19'
Posts: 311
I've got two rubber ball covers - one stays on the hitch ball till right when we're actually hitching up, and the other one stays on the coupler lock ball to keep the storage box nice and clean. It works real good to just put a paper towel across the "mouth" of the cover, then slide the cover and paper towel over the ball. Excess grease goes on the paper towel, then just throw the greasy paper towel away each time. Not particularly environmentally friendly perhaps, but very effective.

Also, when we drop the trailer and go out wheeling in the 4Runner on dirt roads and trails, the ball mount would be a real tail-dragger when it comes to departure angle. I would have bent things up any number of times by now...
__________________
Critical Thinking and Moderation - The Other National Deficit
Great Eggstrications is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 07-27-2017, 03:24 PM   #66
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Edmonton, Alberta
Trailer: 1979 Boler B1700
Posts: 14,935
If anyone wants to avoid grease from the ball, there is the option of using a greaseless ball, which has a nylon cap that slides in the coupler without needing grease. Of course, with grease already in the coupler, some serious cleaning will be required to reset to a clean state.

Andersen part 3662 - 2" Greaseless HardBall
Yes, this is the same company which sells the Ultimate 5th Wheel Connection system and the No-Sway WD. The Ultimate uses the same type of ball, but the No-Sway WD does not, so I assume that the greaseless ball would not be compatible with the No-Sway.

I assume they wear out eventually, but it has a lifetime replacement warranty, and it's just a ball anyway so it would be cheap and easy to replace.
Brian B-P is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off




» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Escape Trailer Industries or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:43 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Copyright 2023 Social Knowledge, LLC All Rights Reserved.