Trailer coupling to tow ball.

[Chris CM]

Hi All,

I have just picked up our new 4 wheel trailer for our Smart Car and Bikes. The hitch on the trailer is a non-damped Alko. I was rather surprised when I asked the dealer if he had a bit of grease for the tow ball, he said that you should never grease the tow ball. In the past it’s always been my practice to grease the ball when using these type of couplings though obviously not when towing a caravan with the Alko type damper hitch which grips the ball with friction pads. Other than the inevitable double entendre’s and puns has anybody got any views, to grease or not to grease? Also does anyone know what the maximum allowable vertical articulation angle between a 50mm tow ball and the coupling head is? The reason I ask is that I live up rather a rough lane with several quite severe dips and there is quite an angle on the coupling.

Thanks

 

[Badknee]

Always grease a none Alko coupling, why wouldn’t you?
The lock on Alko hitches have pads inside to act as an anti sway device so I understand that.

Edit: sorry I don’t know about the max articulation.

 

[Verteuil Man]

Yes agree with greasing the tow ball. If you need to get the grease off to tow something with an Alko coupling, wipe it off with brake fluid.

 

[Chris CM]

Thanks guys, that was my understanding but the guy at the trailer company was adamant so I wondered if I’d been doing it wrong all these years, perhaps I’ll ring the manufacturers and see what they say, maybe the best practice has changed

 

[Two on Tour]

Yes agree with greasing the tow ball. If you need to get the grease off to tow something with an Alko coupling, wipe it off with brake fluid.

I would clean it off with a solvent based brake cleaner not brake fluid, get brake fluid on car brake pads or shoes and they don't work like they should.

Edit : Dam you, I just twigged the fishing rod.

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[pappajohn]

It's extremely unlikely you will over-do the articulation no matter how steep the hills and troughs.
In case your wondering ...it's for my bike rack.

Standard 50mm ball
Pressed steel hitch same design as Alko AK7V hitch.
Sideways articulation is about the same.

 

[pappajohn]

If I didn't use a bike rack I would definitely grease the ball.
The rack has a clamp mechanism so grease may allow it to move and it would need excessive tightening.

 

[Chris CM]

Thanks that’s reassuring, my hitch is an Alko 161 and the ball is a removable one.

The cutaway under the ball looks similar to yours so . Now all I have to do is work out the balancing of the trailer to get a reasonable nose weight!

 

[pappajohn]

The rubber bumper on the hitch may restrict the upwards articulation a little.

 

[Chris CM]

Yes, I’ll see if that comes off, probably just pulls off.

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[pappajohn]

Just noticed the tension scale on the hitch.
It could be a ball/hitch wear warning or it may have a form of damper pads inside.
Have a look in the hitch before greasing the ball.
If it has pads DONT grease.

 

[Chris CM]

 

[Chris CM]

Just checked, that’s a wear indicator, it should be on the + side when on the ball then all is well! No mention of damper pads in the technical manual.

 

[pappajohn]

Just checked, that’s a wear indicator, it should be on the + side when on the ball then all is well! No mention of damper pads in the technical manual.

Don't know why they bother.
My garden trailer, which started life as a road trailer, is nearly 50 years old, rebuilt a few times and on its 3rd set of indispension units but still the same hitch.
Still fits the ball with no play.

 

[bobandjanie]

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[pampam]

So you dont grease a non alko hitch?

 

[bobandjanie]

I don't know what happened to my last reply.

You don't grease the alko hitch that are dampening like caravans have because the anti sway are like brake pads in the hitch and when you get a wobble the pads grip the ball and stops that, you also don't grease the ball if your fitting a bike rack because it needs to grip tight, but Chris CM has non damped so grease is advised because it will be metal to metal. Bob.


You don't have these.

 

[pappajohn]

So you dont grease a non alko hitch?

If it's a regular hitch, alko or not, it needs grease.
If the hitch has friction pads then DONT grease.
Alko hitch with pads are cast alloy, the pad-less ones are pressed steel