Greasy Balls

mdt · 22 March 2007, 10:54

Who puts grease on the tow ball? An old boy the other day told me to but some grease on my ball…

but was pointing to the tow ball.

What is the reasoning for this, did not want of feel the need to start a debate with the gent in the petrol station.

three-rex · 22 March 2007, 11:26

a dry ball will generally mean that your towhitch creakes and judders every time it moves relative to the car ... get it greased

Sixy_the_red · 22 March 2007, 11:44

Yep. I always keep my ball greased. Get a cover for it though or else you'll make a mess everywhere when you're not using it...

At the end of the day it is a moving part - you wouldn't run your wheel bearings dry, so consider your tow ball the same. At the very least, running it dry will cause premature wear to both the tow ball and the trailer hitch. At worst the trailer might bind during towing, preventing it from articulating properly, causing instablilty and a very dangerous towing condition.

Also keeping it properly greased will help to prevent corrosion on both the tow ball and the trailer hitch - both should be plated but it soon wears through.

Nasher · 22 March 2007, 11:46

All

I thought everyone greased their ball.

Only thing to watch out for is TTR or 'Towball Trouser Rash'.
Which if not treated quickly rapidly becomes a sore ear.

This occurs when you forget to put the cover back on your greasy towball, and then the grease rubs off on your trousers when you go in the boot.
The grief from the person in your life who does the washing gives you the sore ear.

Nasher

ashbypower · 22 March 2007, 11:54

Be careful greasing the Tow ball if it is also used for towing a trailer using ALKO AKS system hitch, these must ne coupled to a Dry Ball

See here for detail. http://www.al-ko.co.uk/edit/files/su...ubrication.pdf

Regards

mdt · 22 March 2007, 11:56

have not noticed any creakes and judders on any of the cars I have towed with... mind you only normaly tow it 50 - 100 yards... and I was keeping it grease free to avoid the TTR, can get nasty up our way.

have a longer trip soon so greasy ball time it is then.

matt h · 22 March 2007, 11:59

I grease my Ball !!

MikeCC · 22 March 2007, 13:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nasher

Only thing to watch out for is TTR or 'Towball Trouser Rash'.
Which if not treated quickly rapidly becomes a sore ear.

This occurs when you forget to put the cover back on your greasy towball, and then the grease rubs off on your trousers when you go in the boot.
The grief from the person in your life who does the washing gives you the sore ear.

Nasher

Or even worse, when that person is a victim of TTR! (I've still got the scars)

Nauti Buoy · 22 March 2007, 13:30

Greasing your ball.........

Well, greasing your ball is very much like making love to a beautiful woman. Take off the cover, clean all the relevant surfaces, smear on some grease, and hitch her up. Then you clean your tool, light your pipe, stand back and admire your handiwork.

jyasaki · 22 March 2007, 15:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sixy_the_red

At the end of the day it is a moving part - you wouldn't run your wheel bearings dry, so consider your tow ball the same. At the very least, running it dry will cause premature wear to both the tow ball and the trailer hitch. At worst the trailer might bind during towing, preventing it from articulating properly, causing instablilty and a very dangerous towing condition.

In addition, you may get enough torque applied to the ball to loosen the nut. Not usually a good thing.

jky

chris t · 22 March 2007, 16:41

i put vaseline on my ball cos the guy in the shop told us 2

Jono · 22 March 2007, 17:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by jyasaki

In addition, you may get enough torque applied to the ball to loosen the nut. Not usually a good thing.

jky

Not a big problem in the UK.. most of our hitches are NOT like yours...

.... 'cept the two I have.. both on US motors....although they are 50mm....and they're well greased..

Donnie144 · 22 March 2007, 17:47

The only hitch i have ever greased is on the fifth wheel. The bumper pulls i don't like the mess and every time you grab the trailer to pull it your hand comes back all greased up leading to TTR. In 15 years of towing trailers i have yet to see substantial wear on a ball or hitch so given those numbers i will replace the hitch every 20 years or so just not to have the mess. As for the ball well someone usually steals it every couple years any how so i don't need to wory about it wearing out.

Limey Linda · 22 March 2007, 17:56

Step 1-- grease ball
Step 2-- add grounding wire bolted to trailer with a big croc. clip to clamp to tow hitch bracket with enough length to allow movement.
Step 3-- buy fancy chrome cover for ball
Step 4-- get fancy cover nicked ( takes about 2 days)
Step 5-- get tennis ball and cut slot to give tight fit over tow ball.
Hope this helps

Hightower · 22 March 2007, 20:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nasher

All

I thought everyone greased their ball.

Only thing to watch out for is TTR or 'Towball Trouser Rash'.
Which if not treated quickly rapidly becomes a sore ear.

This occurs when you forget to put the cover back on your greasy towball, and then the grease rubs off on your trousers when you go in the boot.
The grief from the person in your life who does the washing gives you the sore ear.

Nasher

I don't get this problem Nasher as the Kids always get there and clean it first

jyasaki · 22 March 2007, 21:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Donnie144

The only hitch i have ever greased is on the fifth wheel. The bumper pulls i don't like the mess and every time you grab the trailer to pull it your hand comes back all greased up leading to TTR. In 15 years of towing trailers i have yet to see substantial wear on a ball or hitch so given those numbers i will replace the hitch every 20 years or so just not to have the mess. As for the ball well someone usually steals it every couple years any how so i don't need to wory about it wearing out.

LOL. If you greased it, I'd bet they'd leave it alone...

jky

Donnie144 · 22 March 2007, 21:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by jyasaki

LOL. If you greased it, I'd bet they'd leave it alone...

jky

LOL now i never thought of that!!

codprawn · 22 March 2007, 23:09

Beware of grit on your balls - grease acts like a magnet and sand makes a great grinding paste!!!

Nasher · 22 March 2007, 23:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by codprawn

Beware of grit on your balls - grease acts like a magnet and sand makes a great grinding paste!!!

Codprawn, you've just reminded me of some good old days.

During the summer years ago it wasn't uncommon for me to bugger off down to Devon on my motorbike for the weekend with a young lady on the pillion, and just build a shelter on the beach at night using the bike with a groundsheet thrown over the top and pegged down. I knew some nice girls back then who were not too fussed about the comforts in life

Anyway, the point of this is to confirm that, yes, sand/grit gets everywhere, and certainly feels like grinding paste

Nasher.

Limey Linda · 22 March 2007, 23:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nasher

Codprawn, you've just reminded me of some good old days.

During the summer years ago it wasn't uncommon for me to bugger off down to Devon on my motorbike for the weekend with a young lady on the pillion, and just build a shelter on the beach at night using the bike with a groundsheet thrown over the top and pegged down. I knew some nice girls back then who were not too fussed about the comforts in life

Anyway, the point of this is to confirm that, yes, sand/grit gets everywhere, and certainly feels like grinding paste

Nasher.

Devon, beach, motorbike, yup, been there and done that. Perhaps that is why my first wife got worn out.