Trailer Questions

[hotajax]

I bought some equipment for my truck, the ball and ball mount. It was supposed to have been stainless steel, but it still rusted and discolored. Is there some standard specification you need to look for so it that doesn't rust? Thanks :bang

 

[1st grady]

I think the meaning of this material's name is that it "stains less" than carbon or mild steel. I remove mine when not in use. Keep it covered with a rubber sock and grease.

 

[grady23]

The ball is supposed to have grease on it when being used. Otherwisw, you have a straight metal-to-metal situation and it will cause severe wear on both components evenually resulting in failure of one or both.
DO as suggested an keep the ball and tounge socket greased. It pays to occassionally clean the ball socket on the trailer tounge and replace the grease with fresh grease. Do this to rid the area of road grit.

 

[Clockwork]

put a magnet on it. legit stainless is not magnetic. also, it still needs grease for multiple reasons. i think what may have happened is your ball is stainless which is harder than steel and your trailer coupler is steel. the steel rubs off on the stainless and rusts on it.

if you take a piece of steel and make a bunch of scratches in anything, including stainless, you'll get rusty lines, this is why wire brushes are stainless (among other reasons).

there are different grades of stainless as well. 316 is pretty much stainless whereas 304 and lesser grades are stain resistant but will rust eventually.

 

[seasick]

Stainless is not as strong as hardened steel. The balls are usually chromed hardened steel and will rust. Greasing it will help but I remove mine when not needed. It is illegal in some states to have a hitch ball connected when not towing something.