This is only my second year with my new rig (1725 Lund) and this is my first boat. I have noticed that the ball (2") on my hitch is very rusty and the chrome appears worn off. I don't usually see that on other hitches. I believe I have the ball secured enough so it isn't rotating during trailering but I'm really not sure.

The rig trailers perfectly and I have not had a problem in trailering over 6,000 miles in two years. I have noticed the ball is not exactly perpendicular. There is a little play in the hitch (the "male" part of the hitch can move slightly up/down and side/side)

Should I be concerned? Could this be a problem?

Mully

It's rusty because you don't use it enough to rub the rust off.
Seriously, a light coat of grease will prevent rust, and minimize wear when you go around corners. A plastic ball cover will keep the grease off your clothes.

IMO if it's rusty you're not greasing it often enough.

I was not aware that greasing the ball was neccessary. I guess it makes sense. Thanks for the quick response.

mully

IMO greasing the ball does nothing but make a mess. The grease is far more of a pain to deal with than a little bit of rust. The ball won't rust enough in your lifetime to be a safety concern. If you don't want a rusty ball, then buy one made out of a stainless steel. They are readily available.

Another issue will be grounding. Some rigs depend on the trailer ball/hitch to be clean to make a good electrical ground contact. Greasing the ball will open the ground circuit. I realize that most electrical systems are wired with ground connections, just cautioning those that may rely on this connection for a good ground.

On my boat, a little grease helps when I am hooking up and unhooking. My setup is real heavy and it really helps it work smoothly

as far as an electical connection, you should not rely on that for a ground anyway so that really doesnt matter. If thats your only ground then your trailer is wired improperly

I have separate white wires going down each side trailer, double grounded meaning i kept the original ground style and added my own wires. My lights work regardless if the hitch ball is connected. Lousy way to ground and only older boats are affected with rust then they dont work. Your trailer hitch wiring should connect to trucks :boohoo:white ground wire.

Use the rig more ...that'll keep the rust down.
I learned this since I retired ;) ;)
My hitch ball is never rusty now. LOL!

Mully,
You may want to ask Chuck to double-check the fit of the coupler on your ball. I once bought a FeatherLite utility trailer in IA, and by the time I got it home (250 miles) the chrome was gone off a greased ball. Turns out the coupler was set so tight, it wore the ball down. Most couplers have a method of adjustment, may just be a little too snug.
HRG

Use the rig more ...that'll keep the rust down.
I learned this since I retired ;) ;)
My hitch ball is never rusty now. LOL!

I like your answer best.

Mully,
The issue is the quality of the ball that you are using.
a. either use a solid stainless ball - which won't rust. or
b. Use a higher quality plated ball - which won't wear and rust for a very long time.

In contrast to some of the other comments, I do feel that a good coat of grease on the ball is a good idea.
Is it messy - yes, is it effective - yes.

Think about this - look at every semi trailer on the road.
Every time that a trailer is hooked up to a tractor for a long over the road pull, a good layer of grease is applied to the bed of the tractor tongue.
Why, to reduce friction and to promote easy turning for the tractor and trailer.

Look at the ball on your tow vehicle the same way - coat it with grease and you reduce wear and tear on both the ball as well as the hitch on the trailer.

To take care of the grease issue, keep a rag around to wipe off the ball - if you leave the ball on your tow vehicle. Or, keep a cover in the tow vehicle for the ball, and after disconnecting the trailer, put the cover on the ball.

I personally don't like to hit my shins on the ball as I walk near the back of the vehicle.
So, whenever I disconnect the trailer from my tow vehicle for storage, I also pull the receiver hitch and ball from my tow vehicle and stow it in the tow vehicle.
Then I insert a "stop light" plug into the receiver to keep krud out of the receiver as to give an added stop light to the rear of the tow vehicle when not pulling a trailer.

Good luck
REW