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04-28-2015, 02:13 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Edison
Posts: 104
New Jersey
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Hitch / Ball Lubrication
Regarding lubrication of the hitch ball and sway bar balls if you have them...
A mechanic at the RV parts store recommended we use a bit of wheel bearing grease on the hitch ball and the sway bar balls before each trip.
He also said DON'T use lithium grease and DON'T get grease on the sway bar blades.
Our plan is to take a rag and clean these ball connections off and then add a small amount of new grease before each trip.
Just wondering what others do to lube these points on their hitch and what might be a good way to protect from dirt, sand, etc. at the camp site and storage.
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04-28-2015, 02:28 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Dalzell
Posts: 714
South Carolina
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I smear some regular gun grease inside the coupler and inside the sway bar cups every now and then. When I notice the ball is not as greasy as it once was, I do it again! About every four times out.
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04-28-2015, 10:36 PM
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#3
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Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Sprung Leak
Posts: 3,157
North Carolina
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My hitch has zerk fittings where the sway bars go in. I pump them full until it starts to ooze out the bottom. It gets cleaned once a year... maybe. I put a blob of grease on the trailer ball whenever it looks dry. I use the tub stuff, I just turn the tub over the ball and smear some on.
Aaron
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There is madness to my methods
2015 Coleman CM16FBS(traded) 2016 Concord 300DS
2015 Ford Fusion Hybrid following along
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04-28-2015, 11:08 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Desert Hot Springs
Posts: 1,761
California
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wahoonc
I put a blob of grease on the trailer ball whenever it looks dry. I use the tub stuff, I just turn the tub over the ball and smear some on.
Aaron
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And then you go & get something out of the back of the truck & get it smeared on you pants. ..................Yea been there done that a time or two.
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Mike
2002 42' Monaco Signature Triple Crown tow 2014 F-150
2014 Voltage V3605 Sold 5/3/17
2012 F-350 6.7l CC 4X4, Sold 10/10/17
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04-29-2015, 12:26 AM
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#5
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Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Sprung Leak
Posts: 3,157
North Carolina
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DesertRat
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I swipe tennis balls from the local country club to cover the ball...
Aaron
__________________
There is madness to my methods
2015 Coleman CM16FBS(traded) 2016 Concord 300DS
2015 Ford Fusion Hybrid following along
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04-29-2015, 02:52 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Las Vegas
Posts: 600
Nevada
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I cut a water bottle 20oz to fit over ball when not in use.
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2017 Dodge Ram 3500 DRW
2014 Voltage 3200
2005 FLHTCI
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04-29-2015, 02:57 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Edison
Posts: 104
New Jersey
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wahoonc
I swipe tennis balls from the local country club to cover the ball...
Aaron
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Oh... right! I've seen those being used. Now I get why...
Ken
__________________
Ken & Lin-Marie
2013 Chevy Traverse + Factory Tow Package
2014 Coleman LT CTS16QB + Anti-Sway Hitch
High-Energy JRT (Jack Russell Terrier)
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04-30-2015, 02:11 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Edison
Posts: 104
New Jersey
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wahoonc
My hitch has zerk fittings where the sway bars go in. I pump them full until it starts to ooze out the bottom. It gets cleaned once a year... maybe. I put a blob of grease on the trailer ball whenever it looks dry. I use the tub stuff, I just turn the tub over the ball and smear some on.
Aaron
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What is the tub stuff and where do you buy it? I've been to home depot and walmart so far looking for a little tub of wheel bearing grease. No luck...
Maybe I'm over-thinking this. I dunno. I'm going to try the auto parts stores next. It seems to me any high-temp, high pressure grease would be good for the hitch ball and weight dist. spring-bar cups.
Ken
__________________
Ken & Lin-Marie
2013 Chevy Traverse + Factory Tow Package
2014 Coleman LT CTS16QB + Anti-Sway Hitch
High-Energy JRT (Jack Russell Terrier)
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04-30-2015, 02:16 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Memphis
Posts: 1,616
Michigan
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You can get tubs of grease at most auto parts and farm supply stores - basically looks sort of like a small coffee can - peel the lid off and there you go...
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2019 Ram 3500 Limited w/ Max Tow pkg
2005 Cardinal 33LX
2014-3950, Full Paint, 17.5" tires, 370W solar, 3100W Magnum inverter w/ AGS, 7500w diesel generator, Micro-Air Easy Start 364 (x3) SOLD!
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04-30-2015, 02:49 PM
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#10
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Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Sprung Leak
Posts: 3,157
North Carolina
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kalm_in_NJ
What is the tub stuff and where do you buy it? I've been to home depot and walmart so far looking for a little tub of wheel bearing grease. No luck...
Maybe I'm over-thinking this. I dunno. I'm going to try the auto parts stores next. It seems to me any high-temp, high pressure grease would be good for the hitch ball and weight dist. spring-bar cups.
Ken
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Walmart... or an auto parts store. I have two tubs, one is waterproof marine grease that is blue or red depending on the brand. Then I have a couple cans of brown Quaker State stuff, it has to be old a 1# can was less than a dollar according to the price tag on it. I use that on my vintage bicycles because it is compatible with the oil bath hubs that are on them.
Aaron
__________________
There is madness to my methods
2015 Coleman CM16FBS(traded) 2016 Concord 300DS
2015 Ford Fusion Hybrid following along
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04-30-2015, 02:52 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Minden
Posts: 708
Nevada
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Or you can be picky and go to Amazon and order Towpower Hitch Ball Lube by Reese about $12.00.....
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Rich and Angela, Lab Dogs, Ruben, Ace
2015 Voltage V3895
2006 Lance Truck Camper 1181
2019 GMC 3500HD 4X4 CC DRW LB Bags Husky 26K Hitch Can Am Commander 1000 ATV
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05-01-2015, 12:42 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Edison
Posts: 104
New Jersey
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Quote:
Originally Posted by donzinger
You can get tubs of grease at most auto parts and farm supply stores - basically looks sort of like a small coffee can - peel the lid off and there you go...
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We stopped at an AutoZone store and bought some general purpose wheel bearing/chassis grease made by Valvoline.
I don't believe the type of grease is important other than it be heavy enough to do the job under prolonged high pressure. Wd40 or silicone sprays would wear off in minutes. Grease rated for wheel bearings is perfect.
We'll apply a bit of grease wherever there's metal to metal contact and movement. That means the receiver ball and the spring bars on our trunnion-style WD hitch where they insert into the head under the ball. Also the balls where the sway bar attaches but *not* the sway bar itself.
I know it will be messy. Looks great on my clothes haha! But I think it will pay off in quieter, safer towing and longer-lasting hitch parts.
Ken
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Ken & Lin-Marie
2013 Chevy Traverse + Factory Tow Package
2014 Coleman LT CTS16QB + Anti-Sway Hitch
High-Energy JRT (Jack Russell Terrier)
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05-01-2015, 09:49 AM
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#13
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Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Sprung Leak
Posts: 3,157
North Carolina
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For something like hitches, the fact it has lube is more important that what brand/type/color of grease it is. I prefer the waterproof marine style when I can find it. Around here just about everything it geared towards trucks and tractors, leftovers get used on the trailers and bicycles.
I have several old Raleigh 3 speeds that have the oil bath hubs, I caught grief from some purists for using Rotella 5w-40 diesel oil in the hubs. But when you buy by the 55 gallon drum you run what ya brung.
Aaron
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__________________
There is madness to my methods
2015 Coleman CM16FBS(traded) 2016 Concord 300DS
2015 Ford Fusion Hybrid following along
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