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Old 08-25-2016, 05:02 AM   #1
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Lubricant for TT hitch?

Does anyone use grease or something else on the hitch ball? Just got my Roo 21SS in January and am about to take our longest trip. I've noticed sometimes there's a loud squeak in the hitch when making a sharp turn. Is that normal or should I be putting grease on the ball?


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Old 08-25-2016, 05:20 AM   #2
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I've always just slapped a glob of axle grease on the ball. Keeps things quiet and when someone is TWW (texting while walking) and bangs their shin on the ball they get a big stain on their pants.
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Old 08-25-2016, 05:31 AM   #3
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I use the grease that came with my equilzer hitch but I thinks it's just regular lithium grease


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Old 08-25-2016, 06:18 AM   #4
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I lube a little, keeps all the noise down and wears a little less, but sucks when you bang you leg on it and get you pants/leg all greased up. Done that plenty of times.
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Old 08-25-2016, 06:25 AM   #5
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A shot of wd-40 white lithium. Keeps everything moving and wipes off easily
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Old 08-25-2016, 06:34 AM   #6
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I also grease the ball liberally before each trip. To stop from getting the dreaded "greasy shin" decease, I find a paper tower works wonderfully to wipe off the grease when the trailer is unhooked.
Amazing how a simple process works so well!!
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Old 08-25-2016, 06:48 AM   #7
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It's not so much of a friction point that it really matters that much what you use. I just use whatever is lying around...lithium, wheel bearing grease, etc. Wipe out the ball and coupler before hooking up and smear a little on the ball each trip. The big thing is to make sure it's cleaned out. If you get grit and dirt mixed in with it you might as well be using sandpaper after awhile.
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Old 08-25-2016, 07:05 AM   #8
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I use the same dry lube that I use on the slide mechanism. Less messy.
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Old 08-25-2016, 07:20 AM   #9
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I use red sticky grease and do clean the coupler prior to each outing
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Old 08-25-2016, 08:49 AM   #10
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Thank you all for your quick replies. Picked up some WD40 White Lithium and will try not to bump into the ball, like that's not going to happen!
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Old 08-25-2016, 12:21 PM   #11
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I've always use good ole Vaseline.
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Old 08-25-2016, 12:28 PM   #12
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I have used a Greaseless Hardball for years, no noise and no grease!
It is a shame Anderson has discontinued them except for their rapid hitch.
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Old 08-25-2016, 12:38 PM   #13
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I used grease and also bought and used one of these to keep from getting grease all over my trousers: https://smile.amazon.com/2-5-16-Ball...red+ball+hitch

The tether keeps it safely attached to the hitch, while driving, so you don't need to try to find a home for it, or find it, when you unhook at the campsite.
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Old 08-25-2016, 12:41 PM   #14
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Hitch Grease

Ok, there is one product I am using that at least stops the grease mark on the leg or pants. Camping World item no. 72783, a tethered hitch ball cover. With it having a tether it is always there when you need to cover the ball back up. Does provide a little cushion to the leg strikes..
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Old 08-25-2016, 12:45 PM   #15
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I just transferred grease from my hitch ball to my shirt yesterday. The overall quieter towing experience is worth it.
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Old 08-25-2016, 12:49 PM   #16
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A little lithium grease....I always remove my hitch and lock it in the truck bed when not towing. Eliminates "shin" contact and theft. Had my hitch stolen many years ago when I left it under the trailer tongue in the campgrounds. Never again!
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Old 08-25-2016, 01:20 PM   #17
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Cover hitch with plastic bag & tie up then discarde after use
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Old 08-25-2016, 01:44 PM   #18
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I been using a sandwich size Ziplock plastic bag placed over the ball and zipped as tight as possible around the shank. It's kept my knees and pants clean and has not flown off while driving highway speeds. Now, it does not have a nice tether and is not as spiffing as the CW ball cover, but it cost only pennies and is readily available in the near kitchen drawer. :-)
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Old 08-25-2016, 01:54 PM   #19
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I use the bags from the grocers store no cost covers whole ball then ties up using handles.
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Old 08-25-2016, 01:57 PM   #20
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Hitch is only installed when actively towing. Ball mount, torsion bars and sway bar are removed and locked inside trailer storage when the trailer is disconnected from the TV.
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