travel4family
Ohio
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I've read a number of threads about whether to grease or not grease the hitch ball and other hitch components. Points well taken.
If, hypothetically, we wanted to join the "grease" camp, what kind of grease do we purchase?
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skipnchar
Topeka or somewhere else
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Anything is better than dry. Reese sells a white lithium grease specifically for the hitch ball. It only stays white for about one days towing though.
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downtheroad
Pacific Northwest
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You should absolutely grease the hitch ball and the weight distribution bar ends that go into the hitch....
I use this... one jar has lasted for years and years.
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midwest
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I put some EP moly wheel bearing grease in a small container and tossed it in the toolbox in the truck, for the ball. As has been said, anything you put on there is gonna get dirty and nasty anyway. A wipe with a paper towel and re-apply as necessary.
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travel4family
Ohio
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A picture is worth a thousand words - thank you!
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Ron3rd
Upland, CA USA
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Travel4,
You can use any kind of grease you want. The only issue is how do you want to clean up after you wipe your pants on it. Some are cleaner than others but they all do the same thing. I use whatever I have on hand, right now it's the Mobil 1 red grease. All will spoil your day if you come in to contact with them.
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travel4family
Ohio
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SoCalDesertRider wrote:I didn't know there was a "grease camp" and a "no grease camp"....
I only knew because of the searches I did trying to find out what kind. There are some fairly lengthy back and forths on to-grease or not-to-grease. I just didn't want to get those started again LOL.
Appreciate all the advice, I just didn't want to make things worse by using the wrong grease.
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jerem0621
Sequatchie, TN
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travel4family wrote:A picture is worth a thousand words - thank you!
Here is another for you then.
What happens when you DON'T properly grease your hitch?
You will have metal on metal wear and eventually, you will experience hitch failure.
My the bottom pockets from this trunnion hitch were NEVER greased by the previous owner, Eventually the wear was so bad (and irreversible) that the WD bars literally pulled out of the hitch head.
Here is a picture of one of the trunnion bar ends.
All said and done.
Grease your hitch, It is WORTH it.
Thanks!
Jeremiah
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SoCalDesertRider
SanDiego, CA, USA
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I didn't know there was a "grease camp" and a "no grease camp"....
The ball and coupler should be lubricated, somehow. If not, they will wear out quickly. Grease is the obvious medium to lubricate them with. Plain old wheel bearing grease purchased in a small tub at the local auto parts store works just fine. 
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Jerrybo66
AZ
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It doesn't matter. Buy the special "hitch grease" or just use any heavy grease you have around the house. Think about what it has to do. No high heat close tolerances specs, even WangMart grease should do the job.. That's stretching it.. IMO..
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