Towballs

Basil Faulty · Guru

RE: Towballs

Rolly · Guru

Basil Faulty wrote:

what about using water soluable lube?

Different balls, Basil. wink

justcruisin01 · Guru

Iv'e been servicing trailers & horse floats for 35yrs years & the only worn ones are dry ones.

disbelief

I have even replaced ball & coupling at rego time because they are to loose in the fitting.

As for a dealer to say dry , dont want to get there hands dirty,

Just sit on there b/side behind a desk & sell more parts.they are not out in the field
to see the end results , we arethere every day .

Asfor reducing the grip on the ball ,what a reason. confuse

The tounge on the end of the handle that you lift up to release the coupling is the part that LOCKS IT ON TO THE BALL !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The binding of a dry coupling is more likely to loosen the tow ball

Once that starts the ball is free to move back & forth as you travell,

the more it moves the more fatigue sets in ,thats when things break.

Its your choice ,mine will always be greased.

We replace more parts from the lack of grease ,than to much .

Disco Duck · Guru

LOL Basil and Rolly.......................!!!

Too true Justcruisin. That has been my experience too.

justcruisin01 · Guru

Thanks Disco ,

As this is all new to me & i'll plead dumb to this but what does LOL mean ?

I see it is used often .

Disco Duck · Guru

LOL means "Laugh out Loud"

ROTFL means "Roll on the floor laughing"

:) is a smile

Disco Duck · Guru

Don't ever plead dumb to anything mate. We all had to learn it. Nobody was born with the knowledge.

JRH · Guru

Disco Duck wrote:

Nobody was born with the knowledge.

The kids today seem to be!!, can't work out how to start the computer, ask a 4 year old and be prepared to look silly.

Disco Duck · Guru

I resent THAT !!!! I can look stupid all by myself. I don't need a four year old's help and if they ever offered, they would be in trouble.

I have never asked anyone under 6 to help me with my computer. I can't afford to take the chance that they may know.

-- Edited by Disco Duck on Friday 20th of November 2009 06:30:34 PM

JRH · Guru

Bugga ain't it?

On a more serious side. A friend and myself used to write computer programmes for the special school here in Rockingham, one particular programme had a bit of a bug in it and after severl hours spent trying to track it down we were just about ready to consign it to the too hard basket when in comes this 15 year old smart ass who took one look at it and pointed to one line of code and with a huge grin on his face said "There's your problem, delete that line and it will run fine" The little bugger nearly wore the computer.

Disco Duck · Guru

I would have killed the little SH#T anyway....................just because I could!! LOL

Very often though if you have a problem, you can't see it yourself because you are too close. A fresh set of eyes see things differently. How many times do you play patience and someone walks in and sees a move that you didn't

justcruisin01 · Guru

True , some times you just look to hard , a fresh set of eyes works well .

Aswe say in the trade ,
if its not the obvious ,
look for the ridiculous. confuse

Cruising Granny · Guru

How often do you recommend changing the ball, and what determines when it's ready to be changed?

Disco Duck · Guru

Well speaking for myself Granny............I still have the same set that was initially installed.

I can't speak for everyone but I haven't heard of too many having just one, changed.

brickies · Guru

Disco it good to hear you still have your original set of balls

Disco Duck · Guru

brickies wrote:

Disco it good to hear you still have your original set of balls

I'm really happy about that too Brickies!! Trust me!! :)

Wombat · Veteran Member

I think I will still go with lubricating the ball with a dry lube and keep a close eye on it. Thanks for the guidance.
Regards
GOF & GOG

dave06 · Guru

yep I think that should be okay, i am awaiting a response from a few off road camper and caravan manufacturers but I think a dry lube kept clean would be fine

the main thing is to keep the dust out, as we know a turntable on a semi forms its own seal of grease under pressure around the outer edge of the turntable and thus excludes dust penetration from the turntable itself

I have had a few responses from various manufacturers but they cant seem to agree, I am awaiting a final one from Kimberley Kampers as to their stance but even if they say no then that only evens up the score to grease or not, if they were merely service agents then I would dismiss them, as well but I have contacted the manufacturers of the units not service

my main job is in heavy vehicle repair and maintenence, I am relegated to the office section now but I was on the floor with our three other mechanics for many years, they say dont grease, I never have and I have towed for many years over many thousands of very rough miles, I also work a farm with an old mate and we never grease our tow mechanisms

if the manufacturers of these vehicles cant agree then us mere mortals are not going to be able to

but if you feel you should grease then there is no obvious evidence either way, all I say is make it a "dry" type and keep it clean

Wombat · Veteran Member

Thanks Dave. It's the same where ever I ask. Divided about 50/50 for and against. I'll use dry lube like we used to use in gliders about 25 years ago and keep a close eye on the ball and socket for wear.
Regards
GOF&GOG

Palebushman · Senior Member

To keep dust or grit from entering you tow-ball and receiver Noel, find an old foam cushion, cut a 5" Diameter x 2" thick circle out of it. Then in the centre of the diameter, cut a 1" + (Cross) right the way through it. Now put the cross on top of your tow ball, push the foam right the way down so that the ball now looks like an egg in a nest.
Put your receiver on to the tow-ball, and there you have it. A neat-n-tidy little dust cover!

Rolly · Guru

Palebushman wrote:

To keep dust or grit from entering you tow-ball and receiver Noel, find an old foam cushion, cut a 5" Diameter x 2" thick circle out of it. Then in the centre of the diameter, cut a 1" + (Cross) right the way through it. Now put the cross on top of your tow ball, push the foam right the way down so that the ball now looks like an egg in a nest.
Put your receiver on to the tow-ball, and there you have it. A neat-n-tidy little dust cover!

Nah! Can't have that. Too intelligent ( DD would never approve ) and too easy.

Disco Duck · Guru

You are right Rolly. THAT is not on..............too clever. I won't have that sort of thing on here.
GETORFF........ Palebushman !! :)