I just use ordinary grease, I put a tennis ball with a hole cut in it over the ball when not towing to stop dust etc. The van hitch has a lock on it which also prevents dust. Every so oftan, I clean off the grease and apply new.
Yep, same as Bagmaker. Using up old plastic bags, they are made out of petroleum side product.
If still catches when you are uncuppling, pull caravan hand brake on, choke caravan wheels, release car hand brake, cars handbrake on again, try to release tow ball.
IMO, No grease. Grease captures grit and acts as a lapping/grinding compound/paste.
If you ball/hitch won't let go you possibly have loading on the ball from reversing in a curve, van/tug sloping up/down hill etc.
I always try to end up straight, apply handbrake on van and chock wheels; then wind down jocky wheel; and if not unhitching apply a bit of forward reverse with the tug to feel it "Let Go".
I hope I`m not off topic with you post, and hopefully it is of assistance.
IMO, No grease. Grease captures grit and acts as a lapping/grinding compound/paste.
If you ball/hitch won't let go you possibly have loading on the ball from reversing in a curve, van/tug sloping up/down hill etc.
I always try to end up straight, apply handbrake on van and chock wheels; then wind down jocky wheel; and if not unhitching apply a bit of forward reverse with the tug to feel it "Let Go".
I hope I`m not off topic with you post, and hopefully it is of assistance.
I am a grease user but regularly wipe it clean & re apply new grease. I should use dry lube or graphite powder I suppose.
I have tried the plastic bag but found that they don't stay in place or wear through in the course of a day.
I always cover the hitch with a plastic bag when not in use to keep the dust away.
If the ball won't come free when unhitching, I just stand on the Patrol's back step and if necessary jump up & down once or twice. This works every time.
At the start of every big trip, I always grab a rag doused in Kero or petrol, and clean out the old grease inside the ball coupling & tow ball. Apply a small amount of new grease to both. I can't understand the reasoning for NOT using grease on an articulated 'metal on metal' constantly moving joint. Every moving joint on every vehicle has grease within or on, to stop wear on two metal surfaces. Anyway, I've been using grease for 48 years and never seen any wear at all on ball or couplings. Have fun.
Thanks. Good advice from everybody. My travelling caravaner friend applied WD40 and all that has done is collect dust and grit. Will clean up when I get home later this week and think I will try a small amount of grease and then use a ball cap when not in use. Thanks again for your support .
Always use grease. Clean ball and coupling ocassionally. When not in use put a plastic bag over the ball held in place with rubber band or string.
Not sure what the big deal with a bit of gritt is. Yeah, ball is nicely machined but cup is usually just cast. Bit of grinding might be a good thing. Improve the fit. Lol
If you own a European van with the stabiliser built into the hitch DO NOT use grease or lubricant of any type.
Grease/oil/lubricant, including dry lube will stop the hitch anti sway braking pads working efficiently.
Also note that these hitches require a special tow ball with locking plate.
Spot on there.
I picked up a Euro Van from a repairer so that we could do some gas work.
The repairer was anal about cleaning up my ball (which was constrained by a locking plate). He spent a long time with his two bottles of special spray stuff & clean rags making the ball completely free of any lubrication.
It seems that he had replaced the pads & didn't want to stuff them up.
BTW, it was a large, circa 22', van and it towed & stopped brilliantly without a WDH or break controller (over ride breaks). I was amazed at how well it sat behind the Patrol.
Our Geist was the easiest, safest van I have ever towed whether on dirt or bitumen, wet or dry. All you have got to do is know your limits with both van and tow vehicle.
Cupie wrote:
Landfall wrote:
If you own a European van with the stabiliser built into the hitch DO NOT use grease or lubricant of any type.
Grease/oil/lubricant, including dry lube will stop the hitch anti sway braking pads working efficiently.
Also note that these hitches require a special tow ball with locking plate.
Spot on there.
I picked up a Euro Van from a repairer so that we could do some gas work.
The repairer was anal about cleaning up my ball (which was constrained by a locking plate). He spent a long time with his two bottles of special spray stuff & clean rags making the ball completely free of any lubrication.
It seems that he had replaced the pads & didn't want to stuff them up.
BTW, it was a large, circa 22', van and it towed & stopped brilliantly without a WDH or break controller (over ride breaks). I was amazed at how well it sat behind the Patrol.
