Should you Grease a Trailer Hitch Ball for Better Performance?

Grease a Trailer Hitch Ball featured image

There is a difference between using stuff normally and using it reasonably, well maintained. If you want a good performance and good durability, you should maintain it properly. Using grease on your trailer hitch ball is recommended as it will increase the performance of your trailer. So, let’s talk about this thing in complete depth.

Should you Grease the Trailer Hitch Ball?

Yes, it’s a good idea to grease your trailer hitch ball for better performance. But it’s not a big problem if you don’t grease it. From we real-life experience, we used the hitch ball once without greasing it. It wasn’t a big problem as our destination was short and the roads were good enough. But still, if the distance is long and for better performance, it’s good to grease the ball.  

Greasing the trailer hitch ball will protect it from vibrating and will help it maintain its structural integrity. When your hitch becomes damaged, you’ll hear a lot of loud squeaks when towing your trailer, which can be very annoying. So, it’s better to grease the ball to prevent these issues. 

How to Grease my Trailer Hitch Ball?

Grease on the Trailer Hitch Ball

At first, wipe and clean your hitch ball to make sure there isn’t any oil left on it. After that, look for any signs of rust. If it’s rusted completely, it’s time to replace it. If it isn’t chrome, you can remove it with sandpaper if it is only a tiny amount. Once this is completed, you can begin applying the grease.

But before that, when you’re towing, try to make sure the trailer is appropriately aligned in height. When towing a trailer with a hitch ball, the trailer must be towed in a level posture. This is accomplished by using various Ball Mount “Drops” or “Rises” to position the hitch ball at the right height so that your trailer is level when coupled and loaded.

After that, when you’re applying grease, make sure to cover the total area of the hitch ball. Otherwise, the parts of the ball that aren’t wrapped run the risk of rusting. As a result, you should use a lot of grease. Because grease is non-toxic, you can apply it directly with your fingers.

It’s still a great way to keep the trailer hitch ball covered as much as possible after applying the grease. However, the grease will protect it from the elements. It’ll extend the life of your hitch ball. It will last longer if you cover it, and you will have to apply greaseless frequently.

Read:

Benefits of putting Grease on a Trailer Hitch Ball?

Every trailer can benefit from some routine maintenance now and then. While greasing wheel bearings and winterizing the plumbing are apparent seasonal precautions, they’re not the only components of your travel trailer that require attention. 

Greasing your hitch ball has several benefits. The correct lubrication is the first step in preventing the grinding, scraping, and unsettling crackling noises that occur when the tongue of your trailer pivots on the ball. Some of the advantages are:

  • Quiet operation
  • The ball will be subjected to minor wear and tear.
  • Minor wear and tear on the tongue of the trailer
  • Moisture-resistant barrier
  • The ball’s corrosion resistance has been improved.

When you grease the hitch ball, you’re preventing metal-to-metal contact, which might cause damage. It’ll get scraped up eventually. It’ll help your trailer to move smoothly. Also, the metal rusts and corrodes due to exposure to the elements and moisture. Grease helps to avoid such damage, extending the life of your hitch ball. Grease will prevent moisture from building up and developing rust, especially if your hitch ball is stationary for an extended period.   

How often you should put grease?

In every summer and winter, you should grease your hitch ball. If you decide to reapply the grease, make sure to wipe it clean old grease before applying another layer.

It’s also a good idea to grease it and check it before going on a trip. When you’re away from home, your trailer hitch ball is most likely to be subjected to situations that could put the grease to the test. As a result, it’s a good idea to apply a fresh coat of grease before leaving.

Is Grease mandatory for RV Owners?

Using grease is not mandatory, but it is beneficial for your Vehicle, hitch ball, and beneficial for you. If I say from our RV using experience, we do not like to use grease at the beginning. Eventually, the ungreased status caused the trailer coupler to wear out from the point that later on, it needed to be replaced later on. Not only was the coupler expensive, but we also had to employ a welder to complete the job, where ultimately, I had to spend a lot of cash.

Using grease makes the hitch ball smoother and helps your trailer take curves smoothly. Also, it prevents noises from the hitch and keeps the metal in good shape, which helps to last long.

Also read: Common Trailer Hitch Coupler Problems you should know

Things to remember before buying a grease for the trailer ball

When applying grease, make sure to remove any old grease that may have accumulated. The buildup of old grease on the hitch can also cause damage.

If you want to keep your trailer hitch ball in good working order, you should use trailer hitch grease. It’ll only be a matter of time before your trailer ball hitch rusts if you don’t use lubricant or a grease substitute. So here are some of the good brands which you can buy for better performance: 

You can use Reese Towpower 58117 Hitch Ball Lube which is good. The Reese hitch ball lube’s special compound won’t break down like regular lubricants. This white grease lubricant decreases friction on hitch mount balls and kingpins, which can cause wear. The lube comes in a four-ounce jar that is impact resistant. 

You can also use CRC Dry Graphite Lube, as an alternative to grease, which is also a good product if you’re looking for a dry lubricant. We will recommend this from our personal experience as it’s not a big hassle; just clean and spray it, that’s it. One of the main issues users of trailer hitch grease is that it gathers dirt. Using a dry graphite lubricant, on the other hand, will keep dirt away while keeping the integrity of your trailer hitch ball.  

Try to use a cover on your balls like CURT 21811 Black Rubber Trailer Hitch Ball Cover, which is ineffective, but it’ll keep our hitch ball fresh clean and reduce the hassle of cleaning several times when using it. These product prices are low, so it’s good to purchase one.

Also, read our other trailer hitch articles:

You are currently viewing Should you Grease a Trailer Hitch Ball for Better Performance?