They are wrong Leon and you are clearly correct.
We all know any moving part that it must be lubricated.
I could offer detailed evidence but really do I need to...
Folk who stand for ungreased tow balls are just wrong and should be cast out.
Alex
Its not quite as straightforward as Alex would have us believe. Because the
towball assembly is not sealed, as in a wheel bearing, the weight on the ball
very quickly squeezes the grease out from between the top of the ball and the top of the inside of the cup, and down the curvature of the ball where it serves little purpose. You'd have to stop and reposition some grease to the top of the ball every few minutes to keep it lubricated.
If Leon replaces his towball every 12 months, greasing it becomes pointless,
as a towball will last many years without lubrication. My towball is almost
thirteen yrs old, still fully serviceable, and has never seen a skerrick of grease.
raymo
All wise observations Raymo however it is not the years that passed but the frequency of use.
This is a difficult problem to analyse.
Raymo has made a valid observation that hints at a need to instal a mechanism that supplies grease on a more regular basis than a mere occasional application as it seems undetermined re grease points.
Measurements of ware need to be made in an ungreased state and a greased state.
Perhaps tests should be conducted both in the lab and the in the real world.
Obviously coastal verses inland dusty conditions add too the matters to be considered.
I spent most of last night watching utube vids showing trailers detaching from tow vehicles...could these accidents provide an insite into the pros and cons of greasing tow balls.
And then if it comes down in favour of greasing in general terms should consideration be further directed to the type of grease...
I am inclined to recomend to the Government to ban all towing until further research can be conducted.
I suggest a committee be assembled to draw a set of guidelines for a body that should be convened to set out the boundaries of the enquirey.
Alex
i was always told not needed , this from somewhere else
Quote:
here is a major misunderstanding (by some) on this thread regarding the relative lateral motion of two solid surfaces in contact.
There are two main components and non-lubrication mostly affects just one.
Static ('stiction') is that between non-moving surfaces. Kinetic friction is that between moving surfaces.
Stiction (dry friction) arises from the interaction of surface features, known as asperities. Seemingly smooth surfaces such as a tow ball, are far from smooth. At a close to atomic scale, they are rough (they have 'asperities').
What is intended is that stiction locks the tow ball during minor sway forces - such that they are damped by the tow vehicle's tyres. It does so effectively. Lubricating destroys that intended damping.
The friction between a tow ball and its coupling (once moving) is close to zero. Greasing it makes no odds (it does not need it - the friction is negligable!) - that is why after many years there is next no wear. It will be less than 50 mm for the simple reason that a 50 mm peg does not fit into a 50 mm hole! Some clearance is required.
If you grease that ball you decrease its intended yaw damping.
AL KO has a stabilising version that uses sprung loaded friction pads (and some even grease those!).
If it squeaks I put a little grease on it, just to stop the annoyance. Grease or not doesn’t seem to make a lot of difference to anything else. I’ve towed across the country from side to side and all over with various trailers.
“Intended yaw dampening” sounds like a load of rubbish.
I've always greased the tow ball on my cars and place those plastic protection caps on as well. Trouble is the caps get pinched by persons who obviously have a greater need than me and consequently I'd get grease on my trousers on more than one occasion so maybe that's a good case for not greasing the ball. I have a feeling that it is illegal to drive around with the gooseneck/tow ball without something hitched to it, may be an old law? Pretty useful though, I've had a few people run up the back of my car on a few occasions and the damage inflicted on their cars can be pretty nasty as it is virtually a point impact. Not so good is banging your knees and shins on it as most would know. Sorry, a bit off track but yeah.
I have a feeling that it is illegal to drive around with the gooseneck/tow ball without something hitched to it, may be an old law?
You're right about it being an offence to leave the ball in-situ. It arose from the morons who - while reverse parking - punch a hole in the radiator of the car behind.
If you have good reason to leave the tow ball in place - for example being a regular weekend sailor towing a dinghy on a trailer every week, that would be considered OK. The ones that will be fined are the types that have a caravan towed maybe once a year at Xmas but leave the ball on all year round.
The reason I know was that when I learnt to drive I was a keen sailor, with a dinghy on a boat trailer - and I learnt from the outset what this meant.
OTOH the towbar also had its benefits - my car was once hit front behind... the towbar provided significant protection.
You may well be right Nick, about Queensland, but there are no rules here in W.A. regarding removal when not in use; the only rule is that the towing attachment must not protrude unnecessarily far behind the vehicle, and must not have any sharp edges likely to cause bodily harm.
raymo
It is said the little toe is there to detect furniture that is out of place, sounds like the knee has also a purpose.
