TOW TIPS Ball and Hitch
A bit of TLC to your ball and hitch can pay off in the long runUnless you’re fastidious, it’s unlikely you’ll pay too much attention to the ball and hitch on your trailer, as far as maintenance goes. But a little attention can make a big difference to the ride as well as longevity of the various components.
A used tow ball should be checked for roundness. If worn, it will exhibit flat edges on the front and rear face. In this condition the hitch will ‘rattle’ and ‘bang’ when installed and transfer a lot of noise into the back of the tow vehicle.
To reduce the noise until a new ball is fitted, loosen the securing nut of the ball and turn 90-degrees so the flat spots are on the sides rather than front and back.
Add a blob of grease to the top of the ball and this will buffer any movement and reduce further wear on the ball and hitch.
Also, utilise the hitch adjusting nut and screw. This should be done as a matter of course as it takes up the slack inside the hitch cup. But don’t over tighten it, as it could make it impossible to lift the hitch off the ball until it is loosened again. However, this is a good anti-theft measure if you have no other to fall back on.
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