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  • Hitch grease - recommendation needed

    Hi everyone!

    We’re picking up our first big TT in a couple of weeks and have a question about hitch grease. Does anyone have a recommendation? There was a big price variation for the ones I saw on Amazon. Has anyone found a cost effective one they like?

    Secondly, what type of grease is needed? I’m used to using wheel bearing / axle grease on most things but I suspect that’s not suitable. I’ve seen all sorts of comments about what type of grease can or can’t be used, so I’m turning to you folks for actual wisdom and experience:-).

    cheers,
    Joe
    Sailor_Joe, 2021 imagine 2600RB, 2017 Ford F-150, XLT super crew 3.5 eco boost with max tow.

  • #2
    Joe, I've used spray lithium grease, axle grease out of the gun, chassis grease for off-road, and a couple of other things. Pic ka good thick one and grease both side of the ball b/c the bottom can get worked pretty hard wit a WDH in the right conditions. If you want to avoid grease, https://andersenhitches.com/products...=6075452162091 cap has a lifetime warranty.
    Joseph
    Tow
    Vehicle: 2024 GMC K3500 Denali Ultimate Diesel
    Coach: 303RLS Delivered March 5, 2021
    South of Houston Texas

    Comment


    • #3
      Originally posted by Jlawles2 View Post
      Joe, I've used spray lithium grease, axle grease out of the gun, chassis grease for off-road, and a couple of other things. Pic ka good thick one and grease both side of the ball b/c the bottom can get worked pretty hard wit a WDH in the right conditions. If you want to avoid grease, https://andersenhitches.com/products...=6075452162091 cap has a lifetime warranty.
      Dang...there goes more money out of my wallet. "Free" forum's sure are expensive! (Seriously, thanks for the link. That's a new one and this means one less chore. I'm all about eliminating repetitive maintenance!)

      Howard
      Forum moderators are not GD employees--we are volunteers and owners presumably just like yourself. Unless specifically mentioned otherwise, we have nothing to gain should you choose to purchase a product or engage a service we discuss on this forum.

      2017 Ford F-350 DRW, '19 315RLTSPlus

      Comment


      • #4
        Originally posted by Sailor_Joe View Post
        Hi everyone!

        We’re picking up our first big TT in a couple of weeks and have a question about hitch grease. Does anyone have a recommendation? There was a big price variation for the ones I saw on Amazon. Has anyone found a cost effective one they like?

        Secondly, what type of grease is needed? I’m used to using wheel bearing / axle grease on most things but I suspect that’s not suitable. I’ve seen all sorts of comments about what type of grease can or can’t be used, so I’m turning to you folks for actual wisdom and experience:-).

        cheers,
        Joe
        I used wheel bearing grease because that is what I had. I have since switched to a white "hitch lube" because it is not as apt to stain my pants. As far as performance, I have no idea which one works better. Both of them seem to get the job done.

        This is the one I use.

        https://smile.amazon.com/MISSION-AUT...6461828&sr=8-3

        Bob
        Last edited by RJAPCOK; 03-22-2021, 08:13 PM. Reason: Added Amazon link
        Bob & Lynne

        2020 Imagine 2970RL
        2019 GMC Sierra 2500 Denali HD 4x4 Duramax

        Comment


        • #5
          howson OOPS, sorry did not know that you were unaware of those. I have the rapid hitch in my truck for tongue pull trailers. Its been a good thing, I just don't leave the shin killer in there so it still looks newish. I never grease that thing.

          In a pinch I have used a dry graphite spray lube as well. Same stuff I use on my super glide. https://www.amazon.com/Blaster-8-GS-.../dp/B0094IZ3BA or similar when in a pinch.
          Joseph
          Tow
          Vehicle: 2024 GMC K3500 Denali Ultimate Diesel
          Coach: 303RLS Delivered March 5, 2021
          South of Houston Texas

          Comment


          • #6
            Originally posted by RJAPCOK View Post

            I used wheel bearing grease because that is what I had. [...]

            This is the one I use.

            https://smile.amazon.com/MISSION-AUT...6461828&sr=8-3

            Bob
            Thanks Bob. That’s the one I had in my Amazon cart. Seems a bit expensive but supposedly waterproof :-)

            I’ll start with the tub of wheel bearing grease that I already have and see how it goes for now.

            thanks again,
            Joe
            Sailor_Joe, 2021 imagine 2600RB, 2017 Ford F-150, XLT super crew 3.5 eco boost with max tow.

            Comment


            • #7
              I use Equalizer lube since its in a tube and easy to apply and store.

              https://autoplicity.com/2525337-equa...CABEgL53PD_BwE

              https://www.equalizerhitch.com/blog/...al-i-zer-hitch

              Jim

              Comment


              • #8
                So... I'm still a newbie at this, and the dealer never mentioned this. You're supposed to grease the hitch ball?
                Mike
                2017 Imagine 2800BH pushing a 2019 Ford F150 Platinum

                Formerly: 2002 Rockwood Popup
                Location: Massachusetts

                Comment


                • #9
                  Originally posted by mpking View Post
                  So... I'm still a newbie at this, and the dealer never mentioned this. You're supposed to grease the hitch ball?
                  Yea, Mike X2. When we bought our new TT in 2004 we had the discussion about greasing the hitch ball and the answer was not needed. We never did so for 10 years. And over our RVing time of over 4 decades I rarely recall this being done except with some of the "old timers."

                  Hmm.......wonder what is in the GDRV manuals.

                  Dan
                  Dan & Carol
                  2014 303RLS Reflection #185 (10/2013 build)
                  2012 Silverado LTZ Crew Duramax 2500HD - 2700/16K Pullrite Superglide

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Originally posted by mpking View Post
                    So... I'm still a newbie at this, and the dealer never mentioned this. You're supposed to grease the hitch ball?
                    It is curious that many who carefully grease any other metal-to-metal contact, don't grease the hitch ball and socket. This is relatively common . . . but, I have never understood why (other than the exposed grease "mess" when not towing). If you look at any well used trailer ball, the surface is always scraped and gouged . . . indicating that a little grease might have been a good idea. The ball linked in post 2 looks like a great idea!

                    Rob
                    Cate & Rob
                    (with Border Collies Molly & Angel + Kitties Hazel & Elsie)
                    2015 Reflection 303RLS
                    2022 F350 Diesel CC SB SRW Lariat
                    Bayham, Ontario, Canada

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Originally posted by howson View Post

                      Dang...there goes more money out of my wallet. "Free" forum's sure are expensive! (Seriously, thanks for the link. That's a new one and this means one less chore. I'm all about eliminating repetitive maintenance!)

                      Howard
                      LOL, less work but you have no money left....

                      2018 Dodge 3500 6.7 Cummins w Aisin and 9 cup holders
                      Not to brag or anything about my finances, but my bank calls me about every day to tell me my balance is OUTSTANDING!

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        The grease doesn't need to be anything special. It's pretty lightly loaded relative to wheel bearings etc and it's not like you are taking a 90* corner every 5 seconds. I would use any bearing/chassis grease I have in the garage.
                        2018 Dodge 3500 6.7 Cummins w Aisin and 9 cup holders
                        Not to brag or anything about my finances, but my bank calls me about every day to tell me my balance is OUTSTANDING!

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          To help with the grease mess when not towing I used a split tennis ball. Its also handy for getting the grease on the ball. I also greased the WD bar connection points.(any parts or joints that move) Also I sprayed WD 40 on the hitch shank to keep it from rusting in. Part of my yearly maintenance was to clean any old grease off everything (it collects dust,etc and becomes abrasive) inspect and then apply new grease. I used wheel bearing grease out of the little tub. New tennis ball was part of this yearly maintenance.
                          2018 Reflection 150 Series 220RK 5th whee, Star White 2022 F350 King Ranch CC Long bed (HAL) (CCC 4062lbs), B&W 25K OEM Companion,. SteadyFast system, Trailer reverse lights, rear receiver spare tire holder, storage tube, sumo springs, Victron MultiPlus 12/120/3000, Solar, Custom 6K axles upgrade, and other modifications.

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Originally posted by mpking View Post
                            So... I'm still a newbie at this, and the dealer never mentioned this. You're supposed to grease the hitch ball?
                            Mike,

                            See the attached link that shows where to put a thin coating of grease on the hitch. I also put a thin film on the top of the ball.

                            Without grease folks will feel the hitch binding over the road where suddenly it will free up. The hitch can also shriek like a banshee without grease. I grease mine just before connecting the rig to the truck and wipe off the grease as soon as I disconnect. Otherwise it will be difficult to keep a nice looking pair of jeans.

                            https://www.equalizerhitch.com/image...hLube_2019.jpg

                            Jim

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Originally posted by MidwestCamper View Post

                              Mike,

                              See the attached link that shows where to put a thin coating of grease on the hitch. I also put a thin film on the top of the ball.

                              Without grease folks will feel the hitch binding over the road where suddenly it will free up. The hitch can also shriek like a banshee without grease. I grease mine just before connecting the rig to the truck and wipe off the grease as soon as I disconnect. Otherwise it will be difficult to keep a nice looking pair of jeans.

                              https://www.equalizerhitch.com/image...hLube_2019.jpg

                              Jim
                              Jim - what you share certainly makes sense. However, in our 10 years we never experienced any of this with our Cougar 294 TT. In fact with our 3 prior boats and utility TT we never experienced any noises either. None of the chrome 2" or 1/78" balls showed any real wear, groves, etc. and our TT 2 5/16" only showed minor marks.

                              I can relate to the ruined pants or greasy legs. My FIL was a hobby farmer and greased everything as Keith shared. He also drove semis so grease was more part of him than steak and potatoes !

                              Hmm ?

                              Dan
                              Dan & Carol
                              2014 303RLS Reflection #185 (10/2013 build)
                              2012 Silverado LTZ Crew Duramax 2500HD - 2700/16K Pullrite Superglide

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