I was towing the horse trailer today to fetch some hay.

I noticed on the way there with an empty trailer there was an audible squeak coming from the trailer. Difficult to pinpoint where but my thoughts were that it was the hitch on the ball.

Once we had put in 44 bales, it seemed to quieten down.


The trailer is an Ifor Williams HB505. It doesn't have brake pads in the hitch.

Our tow ball is dry, should it be greased?

We use the tow ball for 4 different trailers but none have brake pads in the hitches.

Are there any other things other than brake pads to consider?

The Freelander handled the weight no problem whatsoever, was slightly worried as there was a long big hill to climb to get back and the outside temperature was showing as 29*C. The temperature guage never moved though, down to second gear to get up the hill but it never felt worrying.

If you ever use a tow ball mounted accessory, such as a bike carrier, the tow ball needs to be grease free.

I do use a 4 bike carrier that mounts on the tow ball.

Had forgotten that one when thinking of the trailers we use.

Thank you for the reminder! I will leave it grease free and put up with the odd but if squeaking.

Click image to enlarge

I have 2 trailers and a caravan. The tow ball is kept greased for towing the trailers then when I tow the 'van I clean it off with blue paper roll and brake cleaner so the friction pads aren't contaminated. Only takes a few minutes. Landrover - turning owners into mechanics since 1948

2014 Orkney grey Freelander SD4 GS.
2004 Zambezi silver Discovery 2 Td5 (Gone)
1963 Surf blue Morris Mini Minor Super de Luxe (my little toy)

Agree with Bobupanddown….

… Tow ball greased for metal to metal hitches and spotlessly grease free for stabilised hitches.

Me too...

Always been told metal to metal hitches grease but change it regularly. Assisted hitches keep very clean and no grease 2010 Aintree Green Freelander TD4 HSE.
2004 Land Rover Discovery 2 Landmark TD5
1998 Ford Escort Cabriolet

ReggiePerrin wrote:

Agree with Bobupanddown….

… Tow ball greased for metal to metal hitches and spotlessly grease free for stabilised hitches.

You wouldn't run the car without oil in the engine. Metal to metal contact isn't good.
As others say, grease the ball for trailer applications where there is no friction element required - a bit of thinners etc on a rag and it's grease free ready for the caravan or bike rack etc.

yep - that's what I do Jules

jules wrote:

ReggiePerrin wrote:

Agree with Bobupanddown….

… Tow ball greased for metal to metal hitches and spotlessly grease free for stabilised hitches.

In the olden days when I had a caravan the stabiliser was separate from the ball, kept the ball greased

Remember these well. Dad had a Dixon Bate, searched but can't even find an image of them.
Same sort of principle as the snake charmer but a neater solution without the levers at the friction head.



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2014 Orkney grey Freelander SD4 GS.
2004 Zambezi silver Discovery 2 Td5 (Gone)
1963 Surf blue Morris Mini Minor Super de Luxe (my little toy)