By Cheri Sicard
In the invaluable video below, Ross from RV Tips & Travels clears up confusion about how to maintain your travel trailer hitch, ball, and coupler.
Ross correctly points out that you will get different advice on this depending on who you talk to. So, instead of depending on hearsay, he spoke to five popular RV hitch manufacturers to get the real scoop.
Be aware that the video discusses a standard underjaw-style coupler and fixed hitch ball. It does not cover other types of setups, but 90% of RVers will have the type covered.
The video provides an excellent crash course on these types of hitches, starting with the nuts and bolts, literally, of how they attach. These don’t need much maintenance if they were properly torqued to begin with.
Check on them once or twice a year to make sure nothing has loosened, and you should be good to go. Be sure to watch the video, as Ross has a clever tip on how you can quickly know, at a glance, if anything is loosening up.
Next, he covers the hitch pin and why you might want to apply some lubrication. Following that, he talks about the receiver and demonstrates how to prevent rust on it.
Should you grease the hitch ball?
Ross talked to Dexter/Equalizer, Curt, BMW, Blue Ox, and Anderson. All of these companies, except Anderson, recommend applying grease to the hitch ball. Anderson’s mechanism is slightly different, so they do not recommend grease.
Ross discusses, at length, what types of grease should work (here’s his recommendation), along with what the manufacturers recommend. He also demonstrates how to properly apply grease to the hitch ball.
Next, Ross turns his attention to the coupler and how to clean it, which I will admit I have not been doing (thanks, Ross!). He also notes that grease is not needed on the underside of the coupler, but lubricating the coupler lock is a good idea.
Lastly, Ross shows how to inspect the safety chains and brake cables.
More articles you might really like
• RV review: 2025 Forest River Wildwood Grand Lodge 44VIEW
• Lessons learned from the theft of our RV in storage
• 30,435 Grand Design RVs recalled again for same gas leak danger
• Is it time to quit RVing? Our readers respond
• RV electricity: How to install a 30-amp RV outlet at home
• BLM closes popular boondocking area in Arizona
##RVDT2560
Excellent video with detailed information along with references from manufacturers.
Just a quick note…
Greasing is not to protect the ball.
Greasing protects the coupler (the most expensive to replace).
Thank you for highlighting this informative video, Cheri! I would have missed it in the absence of reading your column. Have a great weekend and safe travels! 🙂