mike5100 Posted September 3, 2014 Share Posted September 3, 2014 Picked up my daughters new horse trailer for her and it has a much simpler hitch than my caravan. When the engineering bod at the yard realised I towed a caravan with an alko hitch with stabilisers he said he wouldn't put any grease in the tow hitch socket because it would ruin my alko. I said that I would occasionally tow her trailer so would it be preferable for her to tow her own trailer with no grease in the ball coupling. He said that it would be OK without grease. What do people think? (She tows about 50 miles a couple of times a month) Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leedslad Posted September 3, 2014 Share Posted September 3, 2014 I would use grease when towing the horse trailer and clean it off afterwards. John. Quote Never ask a man if he comes from Yorkshire. If he does, he'll tell you. If he doesn't, why humiliate him? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gumdrop Posted September 3, 2014 Share Posted September 3, 2014 I would use grease when towing the horse trailer and clean it off afterwards. John. +1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shipbroker Posted September 3, 2014 Share Posted September 3, 2014 +1 +2 geoff Quote Kia Sorento KX-1 CRDI 4WD towing an Elddis Affinity 530 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lutz Posted September 3, 2014 Share Posted September 3, 2014 I have a small low loader trailer without an AlKo hitch that I tow as well as the caravan. I've been towing it for five years now without greasing the hitch and it seems none the worse for wear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PR1 Posted September 3, 2014 Share Posted September 3, 2014 I have a small low loader trailer without an AlKo hitch that I tow as well as the caravan. I've been towing it for five years now without greasing the hitch and it seems none the worse for wear. Same as me, and after 100mile plus tows no problems! Quote 2019 Bailey Platinum (640) Phoenix from Chipping Sodbury caravans, towed by our 2017 my Discovery Sport! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike5100 Posted September 3, 2014 Author Share Posted September 3, 2014 including the engineer at the horse trailer place that makes it a 3:3 draw. Thanks guys - at least I think I can conclude that it isn't insane for her to run it ungreased. I will keep checking the ball diameter. Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesF Posted September 4, 2014 Share Posted September 4, 2014 OR keep a bottle of meths ( Tesco sell it) and a rag in the front locker of your caravan to keep YOUR ball clean Quote "keep your motor running" caravan: Avondale Avocet ( 2006) - tow car: Renault Laguna (2007) - play car: Mercedes 300SL (1988) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gumdrop Posted September 4, 2014 Share Posted September 4, 2014 Metal to metal will cause wear, light greasing may prolong the life of both ball and hitch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DACS Posted September 4, 2014 Share Posted September 4, 2014 Can you be sure that there is no grease already inside the coupling on the horse box? I tow a 6' x 4' trailer as well as a caravan with an Alko hitch. I grease the tow ball to tow the trailer and clean it when I tow the caravan. I also keep two tow ball covers, one clean and one greasy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
springtime Posted September 4, 2014 Share Posted September 4, 2014 On my previous Santa Fe I frequently towed a trailer to and from my allotment (loaded with manure). If the ball was not greased it was noticably noisier and there were wear marks appearing on the ball. With grease it was much quieter and there was no wear. It is a simple matter to wipe the ball after use and a quick rub with methylated spirit removes any grease residue. Quote Willerby Avonmore previous kit VW Splitty Camper,Ford Transit Camper, Commer Highwayman, Sprite Alpine Caravan, Rapids Export Folding Caravan, Fiat Autosleeper Harmony, Ci Granduca Motorhome, McLouis Glen 432 Motorhome, American RV Trail-Lite twin slide outs 8.2ltr petrol/lpg, Lunar Solaris Limited Edition Caravan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Griff Posted September 4, 2014 Share Posted September 4, 2014 I always grease when coupling my mower trailer and clean the ball and ball cover afterwards with rubbing alcohol. Sounds a little quieter with grease, not sure about the wear element but as friction is involved, using a little grease seems the way. Quote Stay safe ~ Griff Wheels at the front ~ Green Oval Towing Machine Wheels at the back ~ 4 of ‘em Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arc Systems Posted September 4, 2014 Share Posted September 4, 2014 (edited) I certainly would not bother greasing, I towed a 25cwt trailer all over the country and never bothered with grease, certainly not after the first time I cleaned it off the ball with my best trousers! As for wear, yes it will but a tiny fraction of what the ALKO friction pads are capable of! Edited September 4, 2014 by Arc Systems Quote Arc Systems are specialist Carver caravan product repairers, committed to providing a comprehensive service as well as spare parts for these popular heaters. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaydug Posted September 4, 2014 Share Posted September 4, 2014 Fifty years ago when I first started caravanning most caravans were fitted with B&B tow hitches. One of the great debates of the day was whether or not to put grease on the tow ball. Many argued that the lack of grease aided stability but most caravanners did add grease and as Gary said, they sometimes suffered with "caravanner's leg" ----- they inadvertantly wiped the tow ball clean on their trousers. The other big debate was how to travel without breaking your gas mantles. .. . Quote Citroen C5-X7 Tourer+Avondale Rialto 480/2 https://jondogoescaravanning.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted September 4, 2014 Share Posted September 4, 2014 I would use grease when towing the horse trailer and clean it off afterwards. John. That's what I do Fifty years ago when I first started caravanning most caravans were fitted with B&B tow hitches. One of the great debates of the day was whether or not to put grease on the tow ball. Many argued that the lack of grease aided stability but most caravanners did add grease and as Gary said, they sometimes suffered with "caravanner's leg" ----- they inadvertantly wiped the tow ball clean on their trousers. The other big debate was how to travel without breaking your gas mantles. .. . I wish I still had gas mantle lights. .... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
a13est Posted September 11, 2014 Share Posted September 11, 2014 OR keep a bottle of meths ( Tesco sell it) and a rag in the front locker of your caravan to keep YOUR ball clean Meths not recommended as it leaves a residue on the ball which contaminates the Alko pads Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesF Posted September 11, 2014 Share Posted September 11, 2014 Meths not recommended as it leaves a residue on the ball which contaminates the Alko pads Better than white spirit or turps substitute though, if you're really fussy you can get a bottle Acetone for just over a fiver - that really will keep it clean ( don't use nail varnish remover though as they mainly contain oils and/or glycerine to keep nails form cracking up) Jim Quote "keep your motor running" caravan: Avondale Avocet ( 2006) - tow car: Renault Laguna (2007) - play car: Mercedes 300SL (1988) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
springtime Posted September 11, 2014 Share Posted September 11, 2014 Meths not recommended as it leaves a residue on the ball which contaminates the Alko pads And what contamintes are those after the alcohol evaporates? Don't see any when I clean my house windows using meths Quote Willerby Avonmore previous kit VW Splitty Camper,Ford Transit Camper, Commer Highwayman, Sprite Alpine Caravan, Rapids Export Folding Caravan, Fiat Autosleeper Harmony, Ci Granduca Motorhome, McLouis Glen 432 Motorhome, American RV Trail-Lite twin slide outs 8.2ltr petrol/lpg, Lunar Solaris Limited Edition Caravan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TonyJover Posted September 11, 2014 Share Posted September 11, 2014 Probably the methyl violet and petroleum oil. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
springtime Posted September 11, 2014 Share Posted September 11, 2014 But is this fact? Quote Willerby Avonmore previous kit VW Splitty Camper,Ford Transit Camper, Commer Highwayman, Sprite Alpine Caravan, Rapids Export Folding Caravan, Fiat Autosleeper Harmony, Ci Granduca Motorhome, McLouis Glen 432 Motorhome, American RV Trail-Lite twin slide outs 8.2ltr petrol/lpg, Lunar Solaris Limited Edition Caravan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TonyJover Posted September 11, 2014 Share Posted September 11, 2014 No idea whatsoever. If the pads end up purple then evidently the answer would be yes. I never grease my ball ('scuse me missus) and it remains covered so doesn't go rusty therefore I've never cleaned it with anything other than a dry rag. Tony Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveMilner Posted September 11, 2014 Share Posted September 11, 2014 I thought it was brake cleaning fluid spray that was recommend for cleaning the tow ball. Regards, Stephen Quote Olympus II 620-6 & Mitsubishi Shogun Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TonyJover Posted September 11, 2014 Share Posted September 11, 2014 That's what's generally recommended, yep. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul_B Posted September 11, 2014 Share Posted September 11, 2014 I use meths to clean our windows and neat to clean my glasses and I've never seen any residue. Quote Paul B . .......Mondeo Estate & Elddis Avanté 505 (Tobago) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
a13est Posted September 16, 2014 Share Posted September 16, 2014 And what contamintes are those after the alcohol evaporates? Don't see any when I clean my house windows using meths RTM from Alko. In it states that methylated spirit is not recommended -- they should know! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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