trailer hitch basic question

[dinsdale]

Re: trailer hitch basic question

<br />Known as "the can with a thousand uses," WD-40 protects metal from rust and corrosion, penetrates stuck parts, displaces moisture, and lubricates just about anything. WD-40 is also great when it comes to cleaning grease, grime, and other marks from most surfaces.<br /><br />CLEANS: WD-40 gets under dirt, grime and grease to clean. It also dissolves adhesives, allowing easy removal of labels, tape, stickers, and excess bonding material. <br />DISPLACES MOISTURE: Because WD-40 displaces moisture, it quickly dries out electrical systems to eliminate moisture-induced short circuits. <br />PENETRATES: WD-40 loosens rust-to-metal bonds and frees stuck, frozen or rusted metal parts. <br />LUBRICATES: WD-40's lubricating ingredients are widely dispersed and hold firmly to all moving parts.<br />PROTECTS: WD-40 protects metal surfaces with corrosion-resistant ingredients to shield against moisture and other corrosive elements.

WD-40 Website

 

[RatFish]

Re: trailer hitch basic question

I Just bought a new ball a couple of weeks ago. The tag on the ball said to apply a thin coating of grease before connecting to coupler. <br /><br />As for dirt contaminating the grease, I aways wipe the grease off the ball when I unhook the trailer. No big deal just takes 1 paper towel and about 10 seconds.

 

[Link]

Re: trailer hitch basic question

HotByte:<br />Woke up at 2am (due to work call, but didn't have to go) and read that tread you posted on may 5th... WOW! Is all I can say .. was fun to read..<br />but at 2am who cares But now that I'm awake.. <br />and have tomorrow off... mabe I'll put some grease on that ball after 13 years.. won't have to worry about the ground connection as I ran a seperate ground wire years ago... yup almost 3am <br />and it's bass fishing in two hours... <br />BTW that was a long read! Coffee pot is brewing and<br />the Bass are waiting.. Bacon and eggs are almost done... see what ya started on May 5th! It's now Augest 1st.. and I'm out of here. <br /> <br /><br />Link... was going to mow the yard... but it will have to wait until I get back..

 

[SeaMasterZ@aol.com]

Re: trailer hitch basic question

A scientist was working on a WATER DISPLACEMENT compound, and on his 40 th try got it right ... hence WD 40 <br /><br />so yeah .... its a water displacer, but its a SUPERB lubricant, I give a good shot on the ball when I tow and wipe it down when not towing, keeps the chrome shiny and the joint lubricated, granted, not as well as heavy axle grease, or white lithuim, but ahhh ... <br /><br />

Any Grease is Better, Than No Grease At All...

good words ta live by, ifn ya asks me!!<br /><br />

 

[wayne h]

Re: trailer hitch basic question

wd-40 is good for taking gum off the bottom of my shoe thats about it.

 

[Scoop]

Re: trailer hitch basic question

The directions on my hitch always said to grease the hitch ball or the ball socket. They said failure to do so could loosen the ball nut.<br /><br />While you would think grease would make for a bad connection to the wiring, it does not have much of an effect. On some GM vehicles, they put grease on the socket of some of their light bulbs so the bulb would not rust to the socket. Also with some trailer wiring harness kits, you get a packet of silicone grease for the contacts to protect against corrosion and having the connector corrode together.<br /><br />I have applied this grease to my wiring harness and have a cover for the harness on my trailer and am still having a problem with corrosion so this does not seem to be working.

 

[lakeman1999]

Re: trailer hitch basic question

The ball is not meant to, and should not be used for a ground.

 

[RTW2112]

Re: trailer hitch basic question

WD-40 sucks as a lubricant and even worse as a penetrant. PB Blaster puts it to shame for those uses. As for greasing a trailer ball, absolutely should be done.

 

[ebbtide176]

Re: trailer hitch basic question

i don't make a habit of lubing the ball joint on the hitch. but i do lube the trailer coupling, so i guess its the same i just have a can of white lithium i spray it with. also door hinges, latches, etc. i spray liq graphite into the lock tumblers. but i like the thought of just putting a big clump of wheel bearing grease on the shin of your trousers - that way you can quickly grease up everything with just a dawn trot around the vehicle while splashing the boat

 

[chilifriedpork]

Re: trailer hitch basic question

Myself, I am attached to grease. I grease everything, and my spotted clothes pay for it.<br /><br />There is nothin' worse than the horrible feeling and noise of metal on metal. Things just go so much smoooother with a li'll grease or lube.<br /><br />-Don't forget about the semi's. They always lube their reciever, and on a boat trailer the area that the weight is displaced over on the ball is very small, therefor increasing the pressure of metal on metal...<br /><br />Can it hurt????<br />(and colour coding the grease to the colour pants you are wearing can't hurt either.)

 

[lakeman1999]

Re: trailer hitch basic question

Anytime metal rubs on metal, it should be lubricated in some manner.

 

[n0ukf]

Re: trailer hitch basic question

While you would think grease would make for a bad connection to the wiring, it does not have much of an effect. On some GM vehicles, they put grease on the socket of some of their light bulbs so the bulb would not rust to the socket.

The problem with wiring isn't grease on the ball, the problem is relying on the ball for an electrical connection.<br />The "grease" they put on the connectors and light sockets isn't necessarily a lubricant (though it does have that effect too), it's formulated primarily as a barrier to block moisture and oxygen which cause corrosion.

 

[ob1jeeper]

Re: trailer hitch basic question

Certianly no shortage of opinions on this topic... Fun reading how "wound up" some folks can get over such a simple little thing...<br /><br />Kinda reminds me of the age-old question... "Are you a Folder? or a Crumpler?"...<br /><br />As for me... When it comes to my trailer ball lubrication issue... I'm a folder...

 

[dakotashooter2]

Re: trailer hitch basic question

After using the same ball for the last 15 years with no lube, the chrome still hasn't worn off. I would think that is a pretty good indicator of how much wear they experiencein a non commercial application. Can't say I've ever seen what I would call a worn ball out side of industrial use.

 

[lakeman1999]

Re: trailer hitch basic question

All it takes is one freezup, ball comes off, safty chain breaks, carload of dead people.

 

[jlshields]

Re: trailer hitch basic question

dakota, maybe all the wear is in the inside of your coupler. After 15 years there has to be some.<br /> john