jmtandem
carson city nv
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If I wanted to grease the ball (and I do) I would do it before hitching. I would worry about a stress crack forming at the drill hole.
'05 Dodge Cummins 4x4 dually 3500 white quadcab auto long bed airbags overload springs bumpers
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sure2rain
Sunbury, PA
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SteveRankin wrote:1. Since there is very little movement at the ball on a Hensley Arrow hitch, why bother to install a grease fitting…
3. The threads of the zerk probably protrude past the inside wall of the trailer tongue. While the top of the ball has a flat spot which would provide room for the protruding zerk when the trailer is level, the HA does tilt and then the ball could hit the protruding zerk and something will need to give.
It seems to me that the above two statements contradict each other. If there is "very little movement at the ball" then if the threads are protruding it shouldn't be a problem. Conversely, if the ball does move enough for protuding threads to potenetially cause a problem, then there is a need to grease the ball.
As per the owners manual "Periodic greasing of the hitch ball and coupler will prolong the life of these parts." Thus, it is necessary to grease the ball. Personally, I grease mine yearly.
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Crackshot
Idaho
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Couplers do crack and it is weakened by drilling a big hole on the top of it.
How come out of all the couplers I see sold, none of them have a grease fitting on them?
The point is, you said you never seen them cracked. I have.
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willald
NC
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Interesting this topic should come up - Saturday I dropped our Hensley off the trailer, too, cleaned off the ball real good and put a bunch of new grease on it. Hehe, you might say I lubbed the ball, the old fashioned way. 
Also worthy of noting: This is first time I've had the Hensley off since we first installed it nearly 5 years ago. And, the ball actually looked good. There was still some grease on it, although it was definitely ready for a good cleaning and some new grease.
One other good thing about doing this the 'old fashioned way', is that it forced me to take apart various other parts of the Hensley to get it loose from the ball (WD bar connection to jacks, strut pins, etc.) and take a good look at these parts and inspect them for wear. If I had a zerk fitting like this, I'd probably just pump grease on it every now and then, and would probably not inspect the other moving parts of the Hensley as often.
While this mod does have its good points and is not necessarily a bad idea, think I personally would pass on this one, all things considered.
Still, kudos to Barbarian for sharing this with everyone, it could be a good idea for some folks. If we traveled a lot more than we do and the ball needed lubbing a bit more often, I could see where this would be pretty useful to avoid having to drop that heavy Hensley hitch.
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The_Barbarian
Bakersfied, CA
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I am planning a seven week trip this summer. The zerk was quick and easy and solved the problem for me. I don't think it created any new ones. I spoke to several people personally about the pros and cons of putting the grease zerk in the coupler. No objections were raised. When I searched online, I found very little information.
My neighbor, who I have mentioned before, is a retired oil field mechanic who has been RVing for 30 years or more ~ most of it in a travel trailer. When I mentioned this afternoon the concern regarding bent couplings his question, and now mine, was did the coupling break with a grease zerk inserted in the top hooked up to a Hensley Arrow? That is something to be concerned about.
BTW: After inserting the zerk, I wire brushed and repainted the propane tanks.
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Crackshot
Idaho
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I wasn't trying sound mean or anything barb!
Don't want you to have problems while on the road.
Here is a few pics.
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The_Barbarian
Bakersfied, CA
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No worries Crackshot. Thanks for going through the trouble of posting the photographs. I don't want to have any problems rolling down the road either.
Do you know what caused the crack in the coupling?
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Crackshot
Idaho
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I don't know what caused it. Maybe wear and tear?
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marc71
South East VA
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Crackshot wrote:I don't know what caused it. Maybe wear and tear?
Possibily running into it with the ball... For example, backing up to the TT with the tongue not high enough and hitting it with the TV ball???
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Crackshot
Idaho
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marc71 wrote:Crackshot wrote:I don't know what caused it. Maybe wear and tear?
Possibily running into it with the ball... For example, backing up to the TT with the tongue not high enough and hitting it with the TV ball???
Quite possible. That was pictures from a fellow who wanted to weld that crack. Told him not to risk it and replace the coupler.
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