best stuff for balls
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 5,491
Likes: 16
From: Kuna ID
I use the white Litium grease in a spray can. Easy to apply, I just hose the ball with the stuff before hooking up. Like was previously mentioned when you spend $200 for a fancy double ball adjustable drop hitch like I did you want to take care of it. 
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 958
Likes: 0
From: Las Vegas, NV
I always lubricate my hitch *****! I use wheel grease, but I have used joint grease, and once vaseline. (no funny comments please).
I just imagine all that grinding going on, and see a need to help the friction points a bit!
I just imagine all that grinding going on, and see a need to help the friction points a bit!
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 26,966
Likes: 50
From: Texas
Originally Posted by Xyzzy
Doesn't greasing the ball break the ground connection between the truck and the trailer?
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 7,308
Likes: 250
From: Hartford, WI
Originally Posted by F350-6
NO, the grease will conduct current but prevent corrosion. I use it on the battery terminals on my trucks and tractor to help with corrosion.
Why do you need a ground as far as the hitch goes? There should already be a trailer ground wire.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 26,966
Likes: 50
From: Texas
Sorry, I should have been more specific. Grease has a wide variety of applications from Dielectric which is composed to resist conductivity (due to silicone content) to the silver based greases or NO-OX-ID grease which is specifically formulated to be a conductor.
You are correct imperfections in the surface make contact through the grease to provide an electrical connection, but the light coating of grease will also serve to bridge the connection.
Yes these trucks do come with a ground wire but the lights must also be grounded to the trailer frame unless you run a separate ground wire to each of your bulb assemblies.
You are correct imperfections in the surface make contact through the grease to provide an electrical connection, but the light coating of grease will also serve to bridge the connection.
Yes these trucks do come with a ground wire but the lights must also be grounded to the trailer frame unless you run a separate ground wire to each of your bulb assemblies.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 7,308
Likes: 250
From: Hartford, WI
Originally Posted by F350-6
Yes these trucks do come with a ground wire but the lights must also be grounded to the trailer frame unless you run a separate ground wire to each of your bulb assemblies.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 26,966
Likes: 50
From: Texas
Originally Posted by aklim
So far all my trailers have a ground wire which leads from the frame to the ground wire on the plug which eventually leads to the negative terminal. I see the white wire (ground) there on the plug and it hooks up to the trailer frame.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,309
Likes: 2
From: Plainfield, IL
I tow very heavy trailers about 1500 miles/week when I am not plumbing. My dad has 8 drivers that do the same full time, and none of us ever have had a problem. We don't even grease our fifthwheel hitches. If you want the piece of mind then grease, but IMO it just makes a mess.
Last edited by yamaguy; Jul 24, 2007 at 08:03 PM.
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,437
Likes: 0
From: Oak Harbor WA
Originally Posted by yamaguy
I have never greased my hitch *****, and have never had a problem. When your not towing you have to wipe it off or you end up getting it on your leg.
I also grease inside the receiver too.
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,309
Likes: 2
From: Plainfield, IL
Originally Posted by Colossus
See, I'm careful around my greased up tri-ball hitch. Others have not been so fortunate
I also grease inside the receiver too.
I also grease inside the receiver too.
