Hitch ball

[Scruff]

I'm just curious if it is common practice to grease the ball on the hitch or is it better to leave it dry?

Thanks.

[brianb]

Greasing the old hitch ball is debated about as much as towing with the LP on...

I have heard everything from nothing, to grease, to wax paper! Some say grease is good at first, but then is contaminated by dirt/dust. It is then bad for friction... I agree, old and dirty grease is just about as bad as no grease.

I use grease but don't go crazy with it. Before hitching I'll put a small "blob" of grease on the ball and hitch up. I clean it out with paper towels at the end of the camping season (winterizing) and apply some fresh grease.

[AVid]

I always used paraffin wax. It worked well, and when I eventually walked into the hitch, my resulting wound wasn't full of grease and dirt.

[skgeorgy]

I also was told by my dealer to use wd40. Works good. Just spray some on the ball and into the coupler when needed or dirty. And I just wipe the excess off with paper towel.

[mtnguy]

I use just plain ol' axle grease before a trip. I wipe it off after every trip.

[The_Stuff]

i dont a thing unless it squeels

[Scruff]

Thanks for all the input. I guess I'll spray a little WD40 on the ball as suggested so as not to make a mess.

[cat]

when you run the ball dry look at it after a tow trip the chrome plating will be chewed up just think what it is doing to the hitch on the trailer

[baldy]

Krown KP53 lubricant.

[Scruff]

True enough, my hitch ball is getting chewed up a bit so it makes sense that the hitch is taking a beating. That's why I asked for some advice.