Lube the hitch ball?

[Billy Bob]

Just to be fair to WD-40 and those who use and like it, I have heard for several years now that it's not good for a lubricant or it's not good for this or that. And my favorite is it is not good for protecting firearms. Well let me say I have used it on my gun collection to lubricate and PROTECT my VERY EXPENSIVE collection for more than 30 years now and have NEVER had a firearm fail or rust or corrode in ANY way shape or form. I am starting to believe these rumors are started by the makers of the MORE expensive oils on the market.  

[flyfisherman]

Way back in the days of my youth, i.e., home on the farm, we had several farm implements, trailers, manure spreaders (which my friends say I spent too much time on) - we would flat wear out hitch balls and couplers. To lube them gave them extended life. All we ever used (and I still do to this day), is just a dab of axle grease once around the the top of the ball (not too much!) - true, it's nasty stuff if you forget to wipe off the ball after you unhitch and manage to brush up against it with your pant leg! But the fact is, lubbing gives extended life.


Fly

[Camping Coxes]

My DH insists on lubing the hitch ball and has pointed out to some of our friends the chewed up metal on thier hitch ball from not lubing it.  Yes, we've had one incident of our daughter walking into it when she was young and getting grease on her pants (always carry a stain stick in case you can't wash them right away), but that's not a big deal IMHO.  I'll mention the wax paper to him.  If it works, that would be a great alternative.

[rmojo]

My 1976 Starcraft owners manual says to use "Hitch ball lube" or a chip of soap to lube the ball.  I like to use the soap because it works and smells nice(Irish spring).

[CTCamper]

I'm glad I read this thread, while I don't have a problem with my camper, my horse trailer is another issues, different hitch, and when I crank thr trailer to get it off the ball, it just doesn't want to release!  I think I will try the wax paper first and see what happens!

Thanks

[AustinBoston]

I'm glad I read this thread, while I don't have a problem with my camper, my horse trailer is another issues, different hitch, and when I crank thr trailer to get it off the ball, it just doesn't want to release!  I think I will try the wax paper first and see what happens!

That could be an improperly adjusted coupler.  Do you have a hard time getting it all the way on as well?

Austin

[edwardr132]

Will any waxpaper work for lubing the hitch?  Is the amount of wax paper you use like 6" square?  Is there something to look for in terms of ingredients in choosing the proper waxpaper?

[wynot]

I'm glad I read this thread, while I don't have a problem with my camper, my horse trailer is another issues, different hitch, and when I crank thr trailer to get it off the ball, it just doesn't want to release! I think I will try the wax paper first and see what happens!
 
Thanks

Does your horse trailer have electric brakes?  Or surge brakes?  Sometimes the surge brakes can make it a little tougher getting released, especially if you're not in a place where the ball can't easily slip out of the coupler.

[AustinBoston]

Will any waxpaper work for lubing the hitch?  Is the amount of wax paper you use like 6" square?  Is there something to look for in terms of ingredients in choosing the proper waxpaper?

I use the brand Cut-rite.  It comes out to 6" square; I cut off a square sheet from the roll (it comes on a roll like aluminum foil or Saran Wrap), then fold it in half both ways.  That gives four layers of wax paper.  That's enough for a typical day's towing.

From the web site: "Reynolds

[edwardr132]

Thanks Austin;  I plan on purchasing some tonight for This weekends camping outing and see how it goes....