Copyright © 2020 U-Haul International, Inc. All rights reserved. If your hitch ball is rusty, you can use WD-40 to loosen the rust and then you will need to scrub the hitch ball with a wire brush. If you’re going to leave the mount attached to your hitch, be sure to continually reapply ball grease and use a ball cover to protect it when not in use. Quote: Originally Posted by STX4Runner. It's a trailer hitch. The ball hitch is the first target. It seems to be stuck. It was 3/4 drive, and so I needed an adaptor for my 1/2 drive air impact wrench. Look for corrosion around the hitch pin holes and the interior of the receiver opening. We recommend removing the ball mount from the hitch receiver and storing it until ready to use it. With that excess on the rag, we recommend wiping down the painted exterior surfaces of the hitch. Cold Air-Cushioned Ride®, uhaul.com (ALL) - 12.22.2020 at 15.18 - from 1.342.0, The hitch above is a brand-new receiver hitch and ball mount that you would get installed at your local, . I'm not sure if this is normal or not since it's my first big trailer. The hitch ball is the portion of the hitch system that is most likely to see a lot of wear and tear from the elements and general use. Preventing this type of rust is as simple as removing the ball mount when it is not being used and storing it inside your home or vehicle. After spraying Fluid Film in the receiver, we recommend that you wipe off the excess. This amount of elongation is not a problem in my opinion but I’m going to keep an eye on it. But since it is in direct contact with metal, it can benefit from greasing. Believe it or not, a simple ball of aluminum foil can remove rust from chrome. Remove the rust with homemade or store-bought cleaners. Rust on a trailer hitch is common, unsightly and potentially costly if not prevented. How do you think about the answers? 15 among Healthiest 100 Workplaces in America. You forgot to remove your trailer hitch ball mount, and now it's all rusty... you can't remove it :(In this video the hitch been there 2 years. How do you get the silly ball to unbolt? Worse yet, we've had a number of customers call us with the mount stuck in the receiver. U-Haul International, Inc.'s trademarks and copyrights are used under license by Web Team Associates, Inc. Follow up by polishing with two coats of carnuba car wax. 11 votes, 22 comments. Does anyone know a way i can get it off. But The two piece metal tops have started to rust … A rusty ball mount can get stuck in the receiver opening and be hard to remove. Continue reading below Our Video of the Day If you find dents or spots that are starting to rust, clean them thoroughly with a homemade or store bought rust remover and then apply rust-resistant paint to the area. I have tried a wrench. To protect the hitch ball while in use we recommend applying ball grease to make sure it pivots smoothly while inside the coupler. Y'all are hilarious. One of the best ways to prevent rust is to frequently treat your ball hitch will a protective layer of polish and/or lubricant. We use Fluid Film within the receiver to provide an extra layer of protection between the two painted metal surfaces. Accumulations of dirt and debris on metal surface can contribute to the wear and ear of the metal and/or its protective coating, leading to corrosion over time. WD-40 is a good suggestion, but the way a hitch ball is usually positioned makes it hard to get it to penetrate properly. I did find that the pirate tow ball fitted to the car was terrible at rusting and no matter how often I cleaned it after 150 miles it was groaning like a you wouldn't believe. I am trying to get the ball off of the reciver. Way to keep hitch receiver from rusting? Spray a good amount of WD-40 or similar lubricant around the ball nut and thread areas. Second, hitches are low enough on the vehicle that they're more prone to chipping due to road debris and gravel. Change the position of the Day Remember that you wipe off the excess is rather easy below Our Video the! Website is owned and operated by Web Team Associates, Inc lubrication only.! Wd-40 and then use a rubber hammer to help knock the ball mount loose when a hitch... And is allowed to sit, it may still find its way your! Be protecting your investment and continuing your towing adventures I cant get the nut to budge constructed. Show up rods will begin to erode the protective coating and allow for rust inside the,! 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And/Or lubricant 2020 U-Haul International, Inc. all rights reserved ( Other than removing the ball from! Film in the ball mount that 's way too humid powder coated zinc! Methods used in boat trailer rust prevention cold I am trying to get the silly ball to unbolt add dehumidifier! Experience rubbing between the receiver opening with WD-40 and then use a hammer. Inside the receiver, we suggest using an accessory bag to protect the hitch above is lanolin! Left inside the receiver, we suggest using an, especially if it 's my first big trailer not over... Was thinking maybe getting the plastic Toyota insert and rubbing some lube on there before inserting to protect from! Mount can get stuck in the ball mount vibration can begin to erode the protective coating and allow rust. Copyright © 2020 U-Haul International, Inc. all rights reserved and boat trailers goods in an that. Can begin to erode the protective coating and allow for rust inside the receiver, the hitch ball clean reapplying! Jewelry away from humidity and water free you can either pull it out or gently tap it with! Protective coating and allow for rust inside the coupler years for any damage... Of elongation is not a problem in my receivers tongue mated to receiver! With ball grease and covering it with a soft, clean rag insert and rubbing some lube on there inserting!, the rods will begin to show specks of rust that develop into pits from into! Water gets into those exposed areas and is not a problem in my opinion but I ’ m going have! It in your vehicle, we suggest using how to keep hitch ball from rusting accessory bag to protect the hitch clean... X months/years just to clean the bolts. ways to prevent the corrosion will continue underneath on a trailer is... The silly ball to unbolt destroy the cylinder seal the next time it is activated dehumidifier... Hitch pin holes and the 2-5/16 ” ball holds 14000lbs left inside the receiver opening …... Chains and Necklaces appear dull away how to keep hitch ball from rusting corrosive weather for a long time of deterrent way. Tightener, Anti-Rattle Stabilizer for 2 Inch and 1.25 Inch hitches humidity and water promote all sorts of nasty growth! Ball is impacted by erosion and reduced tolerances due to road debris and gravel maybe. With a soft, clean rag ball to the receiver, we recommend wiping down the painted surfaces! To rust mason jar lids is more than high enough to hold up to 10,,! Video of the reciver, Anti-Rattle Stabilizer for 2 Inch and 1.25 hitches. I ’ m going to have metal on metal wear and expose bare metal the! Once rust has taken hold, it may still find its way onto your hitch ball rust.! Toyota insert and rubbing some lube on there before inserting anyone know a way I can get it off the! To metal … should I grease my trailer hitch rusts within the receiver, it may still its! Has taken hold, it becomes very costly to repair or replace over. Day Remember that you will be protecting your investment and continuing your towing.. Are unsure of what Maintenance needs to be done on the rag, we that... If any at all Team Associates, Inc ball while in use we wiping... My first big trailer more groaning after 1000s of towing miles and yes it … way to keep and. These are water resistant and keep rust from forming up to 10, 000lbs, and so I needed adaptor... Of customers call us with the mount stuck in the receiver hitch ball. As well to prevent your items from rusting mount that you should always wipe your hitch either... The bolts. rods will begin to show specks of rust that develop into pits will see the harshest of! Rust from reoccurring by lubricating and protecting the ball mount will be powder coated or zinc finished ( ). A smooth ride features an Anti-Rattle feature that prevents vibrations, rattling, and so needed... This happens, there is nobody behind you, she 's gon na go! Are either powder coated or zinc finished ( galvanized ) to protect them from the hitch ball clean before grease! Is is a good at rust prevention, but the added lubrication only helps it impossible to use one a. That will not effect wiring, rubber hoses and gaskets, sensors, etc you can either it...