Ball Lube

A/Ox4 · 2012-05-22 04:07:20

Do you lube your balls or do you hook up and go? http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pyk9uDvDwQc/TYgKM8Rv7UI/AAAAAAAAAQo/AH-Mogn3PJs/s1600/trailer.jpg

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May 21, 2012 | 11:07 PM

A/Ox4

Thread Starter

9 ECHO 1

Joined: Aug 2009

Posts: 12,467

Likes: 58

From: Missouri

Ball Lube

Do you lube your ***** or do you hook up and go?

May 22, 2012 | 05:32 AM

2000silverbullet

Lead Driver

Joined: Aug 2004

Posts: 5,326

Likes: 18

From: Gilbert

Mostly dry. Coating it in something is always an afterthought, at which point I no longer care.

BTW - congrats for the featured truck piece on ford.com (showed up on FB, I thought it looked familiar).

May 22, 2012 | 06:18 AM

critterf1

Posting Guru

Joined: Feb 2010

Posts: 2,057

Likes: 2

From: Newport, N.C.

That could be a "loaded" question.

May 22, 2012 | 07:35 AM

counciller

Senior User

Joined: Jul 2008

Posts: 307

Likes: 0

From: Amherstburg, On canada

Always use lube - it just makes life easier

May 22, 2012 | 07:54 AM

RedBoat

Rather Be Floatin

Joined: Oct 2005

Posts: 2,468

Likes: 0

From: Marble Falls, Tx.

I dont usually lube my ball, after unhooking you cant get within 2 feet of it or your going to end up with the lube on you. If you just have to use lube just rub a little vaseline in.

May 22, 2012 | 08:03 AM

RickBetterley

Senior User

Joined: Oct 2008

Posts: 173

Likes: 0

I do use the lube, but as noted, it is really messy.

May 22, 2012 | 12:48 PM

bpounds

Hotshot

Joined: Aug 2006

Posts: 17,398

Likes: 317

From: Whittier, CA

For years I didn't believe it was necessary to lube the tow ball. Then one year, after towing cross country, I arrived and found the nut partially loosened on the ball. Scary, and I didn't need a second lesson.

I just buy the small container of lube at the trailer supply place. Nice small container with a screw on lid, so it stays neat and tidy, easy to carry. It will probably last a lifetime if used sparingly as it should be. Works for fifthwheel pins and WD hitch bars too.

As far as the mess, a ball cover helps keep your pants clean.

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May 22, 2012 | 02:38 PM

phantomphixer

Senior User

Joined: Sep 2010

Posts: 306

Likes: 2

From: Southwest Desert, AZ

Lube my ball. Also put a little lube on the receiver receptical.
Hard not to laugh when writing this.

May 22, 2012 | 03:55 PM

#10

1975StroppeBaja

Cargo Master

Joined: Apr 2006

Posts: 3,215

Likes: 7

From: WV

I lubed my ball just the other day. Always do before hooking up.

Seriously though, I do. LOL.

May 22, 2012 | 06:28 PM

#11

Hotpocket

Elder User

Joined: Nov 2010

Posts: 946

Likes: 0

From: Needville, TX

i have never lubed up

May 22, 2012 | 07:11 PM

#12

SMOKEPLOE

Mountain Pass

Joined: Sep 2005

Posts: 189

Likes: 37

From: Ethel WA.

when ever i tow the boat i lube it up.
i have an old tennis ball that is cut so it slips over the ball, i just press the btennis ball down and turn a couple of times since i have loaded it with axle grease-- no fuss no muss
smokeploe

May 22, 2012 | 08:15 PM

#13

SDTriton250

Senior User

Joined: Dec 2009

Posts: 435

Likes: 1

I only have one big ball but I lube it before every trip with a pull along. Any lube works. Motor oil if nothing else. Same with the pin on the 5th wheel. The plate gets a clean nylon disc.