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06-28-2016, 09:17 AM
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#1
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Weekend Camper
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: MI
Posts: 15
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hitch grease?
On our last travel trailer (8 yrs ago) we were told to put lubrication on the ball of the hitch when we hooked up. We just purchased a new travel trailer this spring and now they told us we shouldn't use grease.
I was just wondering what others are doing? Thanks!
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Vince & Molly
2016 Sunset Trail 320BH
2016 Ford F-250
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06-28-2016, 09:33 AM
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#2
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Full Time Camper
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Belle River , Ontario
Posts: 1,753
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I use grease (and have a rubber cover for the ball when unhooked). Some use waxed paper over the ball instead of grease.
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It was a rainy few days at Algonquin Prov park...tarps kept us dry.
Wayne --Belle River (Windsor), Ontario
2013 Sunset Trail Reserve 25RB..(just sold it)
2015 White Chev Silverado 2500HD 4x4 (6.0 l gasser)
2003 Mountain Star 890SBRX Truck Camper
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06-28-2016, 02:17 PM
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#3
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Seasonal Camper
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: California
Posts: 333
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There are two ways to deal with the grease:
You can apply it to the ball and let it rub off on your pants every time you walk by.
- OR -
You can apply it directly to your pant legs so that it will reapply a small amount to the ball every time you get near the hitch.
The end results are the same.
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Dave Edmiston
2015 Crossroads Elevation Homestead toy hauler
2014 Dodge RAM 3500 4x4 Diesel Dually
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06-28-2016, 04:24 PM
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#4
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Seasonal Camper
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Tn
Posts: 384
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I use a high temp grease on mine, just a thin coating. When not in use I put a blue exam glove on it. Looks odd but stops the grease stains.
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06-28-2016, 04:31 PM
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#5
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Seasonal Camper
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: California
Posts: 333
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Burgy
I use a high temp grease on mine, just a thin coating. When not in use I put a blue exam glove on it. Looks odd but stops the grease stains.
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Like the French chef in the Bugs Bunny cartoon?
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Dave Edmiston
2015 Crossroads Elevation Homestead toy hauler
2014 Dodge RAM 3500 4x4 Diesel Dually
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06-28-2016, 04:56 PM
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#6
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Site Team
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: PA
Posts: 5,721
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__________________
Mark & Susan
Lehighton, Pennsylvania
EAGLE HT FIFTH WHEEL | 30.5CKTS - '13 Ford F150 SCREW - PullRite Superslide - Roadmaster Active Suspension
Member - "Northeast Adventures RV Rally Group" & "Mason-Dixon Bunch" |
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06-28-2016, 05:40 PM
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#7
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Weekend Camper
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: MI
Posts: 15
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Ok, sounds like we'll go back to using the grease. Thanks everyone
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Vince & Molly
2016 Sunset Trail 320BH
2016 Ford F-250
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06-29-2016, 05:50 AM
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#8
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Full Time Camper
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location:
Posts: 1,415
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I use grease for less wear and noise.
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06-30-2016, 03:33 AM
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#9
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Weekend Camper
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Ohio
Posts: 26
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Thought I would reply with the "why" you need grease on the ball in the first place. Not only for the noise. A long time mechanic friend of mine, told me there is a chance, only a chance, that the friction of turns could loosen the ball itself. Highly unlikely with the sway control. But with regular trailers with no sway control, it could happen. I grease the ball and silicone lube the hitch pivot points. Still crashes and bangs with tight turns.
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06-30-2016, 07:21 AM
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#10
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Family Vacation Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: IL
Posts: 193
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dedmiston
There are two ways to deal with the grease:
You can apply it to the ball and let it rub off on your pants every time you walk by.
- OR -
You can apply it directly to your pant legs so that it will reapply a small amount to the ball every time you get near the hitch.
The end results are the same.
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A combination grease/antibiotic/painkilling cream is good to put on the ball for when you ram your shin into it at a full gallop.
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2016 Sunset Trail Super Lite ST250RB For Sale
2015 Chevy Silverado 2500HD Crew Cab Z71 LTZ Duramax 4x4
2012 Windjammer 3001W
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07-04-2016, 04:32 PM
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#11
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Full Time Camper
Join Date: May 2011
Location: So. Cal.
Posts: 577
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mmattias
On our last travel trailer (8 yrs ago) we were told to put lubrication on the ball of the hitch when we hooked up. We just purchased a new travel trailer this spring and now they told us we shouldn't use grease.
I was just wondering what others are doing? Thanks!
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Interesting as to who "they" are?
If you've never used grease or lube, try turning a corner, feeling the "shutter" as it forces itself around the turn.
Some have said they've had to replace the receiver as its worn through due to a lack of lubrication.
Next, try and remove the ball from the receiver when dry. Jumping up and down, raising the hitch, and then raising the tow vehicle doesn't do much to help the jack. Ever broke a top gear insert key when raising too high?
What's the big deal with wiping off the grease after disconnecting? It's really better to clean and reapply new grease when using the trailer the next time.
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Bob and Better Half
2007 F-250 PSD, SW, CC, LB, 2WD
2006 TF32SS Cross Terrain Toy Hauler (sold)
Reese 16k slider
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07-04-2016, 05:26 PM
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#12
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Weekend Camper
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Delaware
Posts: 37
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I grease the ball and place a can koozi over the ball when not connected to tv. It keeps my shins clean and blood free...
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 2015 ST290QB
2016 Silverado 2500 HD
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07-07-2016, 06:06 AM
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#13
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Family Vacation Member
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 116
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Well I am glad I read this. I did originally apply a little grease but havent since. Looks like I need to add grease on a regular basis. For some reason I thought my saleman or the guy who hooked up my sway bars told me that I did not need to use grease?
__________________
2014 Ram Big Horn CC 1500 tow package, 3.92 gears.
2016 Crossroads ST270BH (June 18, 2015)
(2015: 7 nights camping, 425 miles) (lost track and became too lazy to update!)
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07-07-2016, 10:21 AM
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#14
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Gone Traveling
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Texas
Posts: 1,392
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That was probably that salesmans 1st time also.
Just grease the hitch ball & the couple miniature balls on the sway bar not the entire sway bar.
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07-07-2016, 05:03 PM
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#15
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Seasonal Camper
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Tn
Posts: 384
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Did you mean weight distribution bars? You said sways, as in more than 1. Makes me think you have weight distribution with sway control.
Refer to the brand to see if they need a little grease, likely not.
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07-07-2016, 06:11 PM
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#16
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Full Time Camper
Join Date: May 2012
Location: N.C. Mountains
Posts: 2,415
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Biker
I grease the ball and place a can koozi over the ball when not connected to tv. It keeps my shins clean and blood free...
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I like the koozi idea. Also with the Koozi greased it lets the beer cans slide in easier.
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07-07-2016, 06:54 PM
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#17
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Weekend Camper
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Delaware
Posts: 37
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Papa
I wasn't going to share the greased beer can trick 
__________________
2015 ST290QB
2016 Silverado 2500 HD
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07-08-2016, 04:52 AM
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#18
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Seasonal Camper
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: NC
Posts: 274
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I split a tennis ball and slide it over the ball. Keeps thing clean and is bright and visible. Kinda slows down the game, though.
__________________
2015 Crossroads Cruiser Aire CAF27RL, 2018 F250 diesel crewcab SRW 4WD short bed, Trailer Saver hitch with Reese adapter on Ford OEM underbed 5th wheel connector.
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