Coupler maintenance?

[SeldomSeen]

We've been towing our E19 for going on ten years (55k miles) and I've never done any sort of maintenance on the coupler...which I'm guessing is way overdue. I'll be using a new hitch ball and drawbar this year on the new F150 Powerboost. What's the wisdom for the coupler? Scary little thing. They don't look to me like they should work at all, but I've never had any trouble with it, or others I've owned. Other than cleaning and grease? Should I replace the springs and washers and whatever or leave it be? Or get the whole thing replaced?

Glenn

[Iowa Dave]

All I’ve ever done is wipe old grease and dirt out of the inner part of the coupler and apply a little new clean lithium grease. As long as it’s coupling up without effort and nothing has a lot of play in it I probably won’t do much to ours. I wipe the ball down too and put a little grease on the ball too. So I can bump into it and get grease on my pants.
Iowa Dave

[HABBERDABBER]

Clean it and grease it. A brake or carb spray can of cleaner hose down would get rid of the dirt and old grease; lube it with what you like or have. Lithium grease is one I'd use, but most any will suffice. A thorough inspection of the device is highly suggested for any excessive wear or damage. Springs don't typically "wear out". They may fracture, or age and reduce in force, but usually not an issue

If it reduces your concern, replace it. That can be an expensive and functionally unnecessary action. Grinding the old one off, welding a new one back on....
If it ain't broke...don't replace it. Fix it.