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09-19-2014, 02:40 PM
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#21
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Southern New England
Posts: 862
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hmm, lots of opinions and thought here. I've always greased the ball and use a ball cover from an rv dealer (since me old tennis ball doesn't fit the 2 5/16 ball). When I went from a pup to a exp tt I tried it dry for awhile. I noticed after long driving the tongue would get hot. My dad said to keep it greased (plenty of pants with small black stripes to prove it)
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2017 GMC Yukon
2018 Roo 23 ikss
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09-19-2014, 02:53 PM
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#22
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Newport News Va
Posts: 662
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I had TONS of trouble attempting to unhitch my Windjammer, even the dealer had difficulty unhooking the trailer. The only way was to remove the pin from the wd coupler and pull away, pulling the ball assembly out of the receiver. A new trailer coupler was installed and welded in place on Forrest Rivers dime and it fixed the problem. We never determined what the problem was with the original coupler, but the new one works great. Unhooking the trailer is not rocket science but it sure can make you feel dumb when it won't cooperate. The whole incident along with pics is in a previous post. Good luck
Chuck " still in Va "
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09-19-2014, 03:06 PM
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#23
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Mod free 5er
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Concord, NC
Posts: 24,702
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bagged123
I had the same issue with mine on my own TV and when we bought our new one, the dealer adjusted the height of the ball and it was fine.
I wouldn't recommend in putting grease on the ball itself. It cause some issues when towing due to there is no "friction" and could cause a lot swaying while towing
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The ball should NOT be the source of sway control. You should have other means of controlling sway. Lack of lube on the ball and socket will cause premature wear on both. They are supposed to be lubed.
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09-19-2014, 03:35 PM
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#24
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Site Team
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 10,446
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Looks like we have two schools of thought about greasing the hitch ball or not. I used to belong to the "don't grease it" school but then I switched over to the other side. Not saying this is the best choice or not but its my choice.
In the past I had some trouble disconnecting from the hitch ball but since have avoided the ball being too far back in the couple and haven't had any problems since.
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Great choice for "Living within my means" and camping for one...
Formerly owned 2011 Salem Cruise Lite 20RBXL & 2011 Toyota Tundra Dbl Cab
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09-19-2014, 03:57 PM
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#25
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,255
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Most definitely! I always keep my hitch ball well greased. It's your single most important point of contact. Take care of it.
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09-19-2014, 04:39 PM
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#26
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Western Connecticut
Posts: 1,587
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Grease those balls gentlemen!
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2010 Cedar Creek 5th Wheel 34SATS "The Beast"
2006 Ford F350 Lariat 6.0L Diesel
2003 Harley Heritage Softail "Hogzilla"
1986 Marriage to "Wifey" (patience of a saint)
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09-19-2014, 04:43 PM
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#27
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Clarksville Va.
Posts: 10,422
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Terier
Looks like we have two schools of thought about greasing the hitch ball or not. I used to belong to the "don't grease it" school but then I switched over to the other side. Not saying this is the best choice or not but its my choice.
In the past I had some trouble disconnecting from the hitch ball but since have avoided the ball being too far back in the couple and haven't had any problems since.
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Your last paragraph is his problem. Chock the front and back, pull up a 1/2" and it clears to unhook. It sounds like it's the back latch hooking the ball. Pulling forward will release it. done that and it works. On my 5th wheel hitch I have to block the back wheels and roll back about a 1/2" then the handle will release. without doing that You will not pull the bar on the hitch, at least on my unit. You need to take the pressure off either way. A little lube on the top of the ball will not hurt anything, but make it turn easier.
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Coachmen M/H
Concord
2018 / 300 DSC
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09-20-2014, 07:15 AM
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#28
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Member
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Cabot,Ar.
Posts: 67
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Thanks for all the ideas, which I will use the next time this happens....I also will lube the ball..
Jim
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09-20-2014, 09:25 AM
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#29
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Hattiesburg, MS
Posts: 1,658
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I grease everything that moves.
Then, I get grease all over me!
I grease the hitch ball, the friction sway bar balls(4), and the receiver end of the WD bars.
But, DON'T GREASE THE SWAY BAR itself!
__________________
2012 Flagstaff V Lite 30 WRLTS
2005 Dodge Ram 2500 5.7 Mag Hemi 3.72 Rearaxle
Nights camped 2015 = 23
Nights camped 2016 = 25
Nights camped 2017 = 13
Nights camped 2018 = 3
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10-02-2014, 12:36 PM
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#30
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Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Windham, NY
Posts: 36
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I "thought" I was having trouble unhitching my trailer. When I raised the tongue jack, I noticed the truck rising. Of course this is to be expected. As the weight of the trailer is removed from the truck, the truck will rise. I needed to keep raising the jack beyond the unloaded height of the truck.
I went through quite a few painful experiences until I finally realized what was happening. Duh!
Sent from my VS910 4G using Tapatalk 2
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Teddy
2018 Forest River Surveyor 253RBS
2017 Tundra 5.7L 4X4 Tow package
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10-26-2014, 07:54 PM
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#31
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Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Mechanicsburg, PA
Posts: 64
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We have been having this problem with our new camper...the trailer does not want to come off the TV ball. We have been using the rocking method...I move the truck back an inch, forward an inch, while Tom works on the hitch until he gets it uncoupled.
Unfortunately we kind of panicked at first and drove around town with the camper hooked up for a day and a half!!!
Seriously though, we have 2 5/16 ball as that is what the dealer told us we needed. I read this thread and see it is written on the hitch?
However, I didn't see that tonight when we were cleaning the camper and it is parked at a friend's lot tonight in preparation for her big wash and wax next weekend.
Someone mentioned that it might be a tight squeeze because of the paint on the new camper hitch? Anyone have this happen before? And yes, we did grease the ball.
Thanks!
__________________
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2015 Solaire 163X
2015 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 High Country
2009 Chevrolet Tahoe LTZ
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10-26-2014, 08:09 PM
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#32
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 10,907
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My Roo 19 has a 2" ball.
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1988 Coleman Sequoia - popup (1987-2009) - outlasted 3 Dodge Grand Caravans!
2012 Roo19 - hybrid (2012-2015)
2016 Mini Lite 2503S - tt (2015 - ???)
2011 Traverse LT, 3.6L, FWD
2009 Silverado 1500 Ext Cab, 5.3L, 4x4, 3.73
2016 Silverado 2500HD Dbl Cab, 6.0L 4x4, 4.10
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10-27-2014, 11:44 AM
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#33
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Clarksville Va.
Posts: 10,422
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jennifer9
We have been having this problem with our new camper...the trailer does not want to come off the TV ball. We have been using the rocking method...I move the truck back an inch, forward an inch, while Tom works on the hitch until he gets it uncoupled.
Unfortunately we kind of panicked at first and drove around town with the camper hooked up for a day and a half!!!
Seriously though, we have 2 5/16 ball as that is what the dealer told us we needed. I read this thread and see it is written on the hitch?
However, I didn't see that tonight when we were cleaning the camper and it is parked at a friend's lot tonight in preparation for her big wash and wax next weekend.
Someone mentioned that it might be a tight squeeze because of the paint on the new camper hitch? Anyone have this happen before? And yes, we did grease the ball.
Thanks!
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That is the right size ball. Your locking hasp must not be dropping back far enough when you try to unhook. If you put your hand up in there you will fell the hasp, Lock the handle down and then pick it up to feel it move. I had a trailer that did that I use to block the wheels front and back and then pull forward to clear the hasp. It's not the paint.
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Coachmen M/H
Concord
2018 / 300 DSC
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10-27-2014, 11:58 AM
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#34
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Phat Phrog Stunt Team
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Iowa
Posts: 34,507
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Also "some" are adjustable.
Look underneath and see if there's a nut to loosen.
Be careful to only loosen a little bit.
Turbs
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10-27-2014, 01:21 PM
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#35
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Country
Posts: 290
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Ive never greased, prolly never will. No issues hookin up or unhookin. To each their own i guess.
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Matt & Kathie
2022 Cedar Creek
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10-27-2014, 02:04 PM
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#36
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 1,024
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The only "grease" folks should be using is lithium and that's just on the little locking hasp that slides up and down....NOT on the ball and NEVER on the anti-sway bars. (Grease attracts dirt...lithium does not.)
Chalk trailer tires, front and back (and both sides if on any kind of an incline) and then driving a bit back/forwards to facilitate the ball moving where you need it to be.
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Rick & Karen
(Retired USAF, MSgt)
Monument, Colorado
8-year Travel Trailer RVers
2013 Forest River Rockwood Ultra-Lite 2904SS
2014 Toyota Tundra Maxcrew SR-5 TRD 4x4 (with Firestone airbags in the rear)
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10-27-2014, 04:35 PM
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#37
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Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Mechanicsburg, PA
Posts: 64
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We put lithium on the ball. I will have to put some on the locking hasp too. And check out that nut and try loosening it. Will let ya'll know how it works out as I think we may take a short 1 night trip this coming weekend just for practice. 😊
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2015 Solaire 163X
2015 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 High Country
2009 Chevrolet Tahoe LTZ
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10-27-2014, 05:49 PM
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#38
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Site Team
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Grayson County, Texas
Posts: 21,502
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jennifer9
We put lithium on the ball. I will have to put some on the locking hasp too. And check out that nut and try loosening it. Will let ya'll know how it works out as I think we may take a short 1 night trip this coming weekend just for practice. 😊
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Yes, put grease on the ball .......... and there's hardly ever a need to CHALK your tires.
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2015 FR Wildcat 295RSX / GMC Sierra
Nights Camped: '13 = 49/'14 = 74/'15 = 74/'16 = 85/'17 = 110/'18 = 111/'19 = 86/'20 =108/'21 = 115/'22 = 135/'23 = 78; Booked for 2024 = 69
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