Yep....! I might splash out for a new one, just for a safty point, the van is old and not a H.R connection
Everytime I take the van out I am continually thinking about the connection
-- Edited by my van on Sunday 17th of March 2013 04:04:08 PM
my van said
09:35 PM Mar 17, 2013
I often wondred if the ball or the hitch on a caravan needs to be replaced after a few years or if it is good forever . That joint is a very imporrtant bit of equipment . I grease it occasionly . Can anyone tell me if there is a correct way or safe way of checking the integrityof the ball and hitch . maybe I worry too much ? cheers from "my van"
aussietraveller said
10:17 PM Mar 17, 2013
I don't know of any way to have the Ball tested but at the price you can now buy them I thing the best safety test would be to replace it, If you are using a good quality hitch like Hayman Reece and have not bashed it around like some off-road 4X4 drivers I have seen then you would not expect to have any trouble with it, if only a cheap hitch I for reasons of safety be upgrading to something like Hayman Reece brand.
ozjohn said
10:32 PM Mar 17, 2013
my van wrote:
I often wondred if the ball or the hitch on a caravan needs to be replaced after a few years or if it is good forever . That joint is a very imporrtant bit of equipment . I grease it occasionly . Can anyone tell me if there is a correct way or safe way of checking the integrityof the ball and hitch . maybe I worry too much ? cheers from "my van"
Do you mean Ball & Hitch or Ball & Coupling? OJ
Olley46 said
10:33 PM Mar 17, 2013
my van wrote:
I often wondred if the ball or the hitch on a caravan needs to be replaced after a few years or if it is good forever . That joint is a very imporrtant bit of equipment . I grease it occasionly . Can anyone tell me if there is a correct way or safe way of checking the integrityof the ball and hitch . maybe I worry too much ? cheers from "my van"
Hi my van
I change my tow ball every big trip,that,s me though we go away every second year fot three months,I feel that the ball has done it,s job I feel safer with a new one,some people never change them ,for the sake of $8-10 dollars is money well spent,the HR hitch head will ware a bit where the trunnions fit in but will last a long time ,I thought mine was worn pretty bad I checked it with a new one ,it is still ok by the trailer experts, if you have a HR WDH make shore you put dry lube on your trunnions and grease your ball ,I lube the trunnions before every hook up,the trunnions are the t piece on the end of your bars,the reason for the lubeing is to stop wear and stop any rattles or clunks while driving and turning.
Lance C
GaryKelly said
10:57 PM Mar 17, 2013
I couldn't agree more. Lube your trunnions and grease your balls I always say.
Roving-Dutchy said
11:06 PM Mar 17, 2013
Have never changed mine in over 20 years. I did have one that came loose about 35years back, think there would be more chance of that happening than to ever have one shear off and that would have the same chance of happening with a brand new tow ball as an old one. David
Onedodger said
11:24 PM Mar 17, 2013
I have a chrome towball and when the chrome shows signs of wear I replace it. (signs of wear are chrome starting to wear off the ball )
As for the caravan coupling, before each trip I simply spray where the ball fits with WD40 wait a couple of moments then wipe the interior of the coupling where the ball goes.
I also give the ball a smear of lithium based grease. Pressure Pack type. So far in 30 odd years no problems have occured.
Yep....! I might splash out for a new one, just for a safty point, the van is old and not a H.R connection
Everytime I take the van out I am continually thinking about the connection
-- Edited by my van on Sunday 17th of March 2013 04:04:08 PM
I often wondred if the ball or the hitch on a caravan needs to be replaced after a few years or if it is good forever . That joint is a very imporrtant bit of equipment . I grease it occasionly . Can anyone tell me if there is a correct way or safe way of checking the integrityof the ball and hitch . maybe I worry too much ? cheers from "my van"
Do you mean Ball & Hitch or Ball & Coupling?
OJ
Hi my van
I change my tow ball every big trip,that,s me though we go away every second year fot three months,I feel that the ball has done it,s job I feel safer with a new one,some people never change them ,for the sake of $8-10 dollars is money well spent,the HR hitch head will ware a bit where the trunnions fit in but will last a long time ,I thought mine was worn pretty bad I checked it with a new one ,it is still ok by the trailer experts, if you have a HR WDH make shore you put dry lube on your trunnions and grease your ball ,I lube the trunnions before every hook up,the trunnions are the t piece on the end of your bars,the reason for the lubeing is to stop wear and stop any rattles or clunks while driving and turning.
Lance C
David
I have a chrome towball and when the chrome shows signs of wear I replace it. (signs of wear are chrome starting to wear off the ball )
As for the caravan coupling, before each trip I simply spray where the ball fits with WD40 wait a couple of moments then wipe the interior of the coupling where the ball goes.
I also give the ball a smear of lithium based grease. Pressure Pack type. So far in 30 odd years no problems have occured.