Inspect, clean, and regrease it as necessary. So make sure to take care of the equipment. The more often you tow your camper, the more wear and tear the hitch ball is going to receive. However, if you travel more often, it’s a good idea to clean off the old grease and reapply every month or so. Usually, once a season is sufficient for RVers who hit the campground during spring and fall. You don’t have to regrease your trailer hitch ball often.
Pro Tip: We uncovered Will Ball Hitch Size Affect My Towing Capabilities? Find out! While greasing your hitch ball is messy, it is worth the grime to keep your hitch in prime working condition. You’ll have a terrible mess that’s hard to clean up. Be careful not to track in grease when you return to your camper. When you’re finished, clean your hands well. Coat it liberally to fully cover the ball. Once it’s clean, apply the grease liberally around all sides of the trailer hitch ball. You want the surface to be smooth before you apply grease.
If you do see a small amount of rust, just remove it with sandpaper. If it appears in good condition, clean the hitch ball of dirt and old grease. It’s time to buy a new one instead of just covering the old one with grease. You don’t want to continue using it if you notice dents, scratches, and rust. How Do You Grease The Hitch Ball?īefore you grease the hitch ball, inspect it for damage. It appears dirty and sticky rather than shiny and clean. Finally, some owners just don’t like the “look” of a greased hitch. If you don’t properly clean the hitch and regrease it, debris can damage the metal. This can be especially difficult with children running around There’s a mess on your hands, and you have to pay close attention so that you don’t accidentally bump into the hitch and get the grease on your clothes. One of the biggest disadvantages of greasing the ball hitch is the mess. A properly greased hitch will make towing safe and easy. You don’t want to be that guy driving around the campground looking for your site making awful noises around every turn. The sound of metal on metal is quite unpleasant. Other than protecting the ball hitch itself, another benefit of keeping it greased is the reduction of squeaking as the camper turns. Even stainless steel metal will eventually experience galling if not greased. This will lead to a longer-lasting ball hitch, saving you money in the long run. You do not want this piece of equipment getting damaged since it’s what connects your camper to your vehicle. When you put grease on the hitch, you’re protecting the metal from corrosion. Although it’s not required, we think it’s a good idea to grease your trailer’s ball hitch. So why is this topic so debatable? Like so many conversations, this one has two sides, which will be discussed down below. Then you’ll meet others who can’t imagine not doing this simple maintenance step. You’ll meet RVers who have never greased their hitch before. Do You Need To Grease Your Trailer Ball Hitch When Towing?