Subaru Hi, In my opinion the best is what You have been doing. What I do is when I unhitch have a square of kitchen paper towel folded that I drop over the greasy ball then slip a tow ball cover over that, when I rehitch use the towel to wipe any excess off ready to smear a bit of grease if necessary. I keep a roll of paper towels & a pack of wet wipes are at hand in the front boot. Silicon spray is great for lock's etc. 

I cannot come to grips with not lubricating two metal parts rubbing together under pressure. 

I have for many years used a lubrication stick which I'd a wax type product I also use it on my WDH like explorer I cannot understand having two metal couplings not being lubricated, the product I use is called dry lube and can be purchased at most auto accessories stores.
This product does not make a mess of your clothes or hands and provided you are not driving in dusty conditions it will last several days then wipe off with a paper towel and re apply, it really does work well and is very cheap to buy.

We have used a light smear of graphit grease so it works like a dry lube .. Apply every couple of months also on lever & shaft ., there's the theorie that. Sand can get into grease and make things worse ? Why I use a dry lube and often check its condition ..

Some guys I know use a square of black plastic bag - cut bigger than the ball, so it covers it completely, put it on, and they say it is the "ants pants"!

I have a mchitch and use CRC Dryglide

I've never had to replace a ball.

I am one of the 'no lube" brigade, I prefer dry components rubbing to having them work with grinding paste between them.

I did try the plastic bag trick some time back, it is a theoretically sound idea owing to the petroleum content of the bags.

My method was to just fold a shopping bag into an approximately 6" square & fitted that over the ball.

This worked well, lubed and quietened the hitch but, after a day's travel when unhitching the now disintegrated bag fell off in pieces.  I didn't think that was environmentally friendly so I went back to dry balls.

 

Dougwe wrote:

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Desert Dweller wrote:

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Been towing various things around for the past 40 years. Always used marine grease which goes black like ordinary grease but has a higher moisture resistance. We still tow a caravan, camper trailer & a 17ft fiberglass boat, never had a problem. We use the usual ball cover when unhitched. What's wrong with getting a little grease on your hands? We always have a chuckle when we see a bloke wearing gloves hitching his van up! 

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I hope you have a "Long Load" sign on the back of all that DD 

Sorry, couldn't resist 

 

 

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 ROAD TRAIN actually Doug.

Like most have tried 3 basic ideas have settle on using up excess plastic bags which acumillate.

I like the clean idea of it all.

I find I am now reversing better, just joking but I like to think I am. But I really am.

Those pestie small plastic bags have a second use.

I don't need to carry gease.

Don't get dirty.

Hitch seems a lot quieter.

Best of both worlds.

spida wrote:

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I was told by a truckie very recently about the plastic bag thing. will try it now. Have been using silicon

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 I am an ex 3 years ago transport driver and I like the clean plastic bag trick.

-- Edited by Radar on Friday 29th of January 2016 10:40:33 AM

Hi Guys,
If you grease the ball, do you put a cover over the caravan end when unhitched? The grease in the hitch will get dust & grit in it also.

Bushpie wrote:

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Bevandy2 wrote:

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I use WB grease on the ball, just a smear, and carry industrial paper towel to clean it off.
Inside the hitch can be sprayed with CRC and wiped out with the paper towel. (good idea to spray out the elec connections as well, to clean them.)

As everyone knows, the play in the hitch can be adjusted by the screw and lock nut, just stick the ball in there when unhitched and see how much it wriggles around, then adjust the screw accordingly. Not too tight, just to remove any up and down free play.

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 Rather then spray..... Would the dry graphite pwder be better for the electrical connections? 

Spraying I would think attracts the dust

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 No, graphite powder is not suitable for electrical connector lubrication. A light spray with a cleaner, lubrication product like Servisol Electrical Clean And Lube, works best.