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Should I grease my tow ball?
Should I grease my tow ball?
Tow ball friction plays a vital role in reducing caravan sway
Should I grease my tow ball is a question asked by caravan owners worldwide. A recent poll in Australia showed that slightly over half do so, but primarily to reduce wear.
Tow ball friction plays a vital role in reducing caravan sway. Those owners who grease them unwittingly prejudice safety for the possible need to renew the tow ball every ten or so years. In practice a non-greased tow ball has negligible wear. Even it were to need replacing, the cost to do so is a mere A$15-25.
The common advice to use grease for trailer hitch ball is misplaced. RV Books advises that you do NOT grease that tow ball – nor use any liquid or powder that may reduce that vitally needed friction. While tow ball friction is only one factor it’s one of a range of issues that factor into how to stop caravan sway.
Adding tow ball friction
The world-wide AL-KO company produce a tow ball that has four friction linings forced against the tow ball from both sides plus the front and rear. In technical terms, they exert the equivalent clamping torque of 320 Newton/metres force. In Australian terms, this is ‘b-y tight!’. Swaying or pitching movements are effectively suppressed before they become serious.
The AL-KO friction tow ball hitch.
Friction anti-sway limitations
Any hitch (or add-on friction sway control) has a fundamental limitation. This is that unless deliberately increased, frictional force remains constant. The vectored sway forces that they dampen, however, increase with the square of the road speed. Any form of friction hitch or friction stabiliser is thus only marginally effective at (say) 100 km/h (about 62 mph). This was actually confirmed (following extensive controlled testing) in a technical paper some years ago.
That any given frictional force remains a constant is why most UK/EU caravans use the friction hitch (for low/medium speed) comfort. They rely on electronic stability systems (that brake the trailer’s wheels) at high speed. Even here, the makers are cautious. They advise that while usually effective, these systems cannot overcome the more basic laws of physics. Ignore all advice to lubricate, or any friction-reducing manner a trailer tow hitch.
Articles by Category
<Click on a category below to see the related articles>
Electrical (general)
- 12 volts dc from 24 volts dc
- AGM batteries for caravans – they are still worth using
- Battery charging and battery chargers – how to do it properly
- Blade fuse problems in caravans – they may burn or melt
- Caravan fridge problems – how to fix the most common faults
- Caravan Fuses and Circuit Breakers – how to know which to use
- Dc-dc charging – how to speed alternator charging
- Electrical converter problems in caravans – problems when used for free camping
- Electrical converters in RVs – they’re unsuitable for free-camping
- Fast battery charging from generators – cheap, effective and relatively simply
- Grid connect solar modules for RVs – here’s how you can use them
- Imported RV electrics
- Interconnecting batteries in parallel or series – here’s how and why
- Inverters for caravans – and motor homes too
- LiFePO4 jump starters really do work – they power other things too
- Lighting for caravans – it makes every sense to install LEDs
- Lithium battery rival
- Make caravan fridges work as claimed – here’s how to do it
- Quietening caravan water pumps – easy and cheap to do
- RV Alternator Charging Problems
- RV Batteries
- RV electrical wiring – twin-wire or chassis return – here’s why twin-wire is usually better
- RV Fuel cells – great idea, but cost is too high
- RV supply cables – choices of current capacity and length
- Solar regulators with current shunts – how to fix misleading readings
- TV interference from LEDs – here’s what causes it
- Variable voltage alternator problems with caravans – how to fix
Batteries & Battery Charging
- 12 volts dc from 24 volts dc
- AGM batteries for caravans – they are still worth using
- Are Lithium-ion Batteries Worth Their Price – homes and properties
- Australian Battery Breakthrough
- Baghdad battery myth
- Battery capacity for home and property
- Battery capacity required for cabins and RVs
- Battery charging and battery chargers – how to do it properly
- Battery ventilation is vital – why take any risk?
- Best Batteries for Solar Power Storage
- Blade fuse problems in caravans – they may burn or melt
- Connecting caravan batteries – there’s no magic way of doing it!
- Dc-dc charging – how to speed alternator charging
- Electric and Hybrid Vehicles
- Electric Vehicle Batteries
- Electrical converter problems in caravans – problems when used for free camping
- Electrolysis corrosion in vehicles – how to find and fix it
- Fast battery charging from generators – cheap, effective and relatively simply
- Generator Battery Charging – Quickly and Deeply
- How long can lead acid batteries last
- How to tell caravan battery charge – energy monitoring explained
- Imported RV electrics
- Interconnecting batteries in parallel or series – here’s how and why
- Lead acid batteries for caravans – they are still a good buy
- LiFePO4 jump starters really do work – they power other things too
- Lighting for caravans – it makes every sense to install LEDs
- Lithium batteries for caravans
- Lithium battery rival
- Lithium battery safety in caravans – are they all the same?
- Lithium-iron batteries in RVs – they are safe to use
- RV Alternator Charging Problems
- RV Batteries
- RV electrical wiring – twin-wire or chassis return – here’s why twin-wire is usually better
- RV Fuel cells – great idea, but cost is too high
- Variable voltage alternator problems with caravans – how to fix
- What Peukert really meant – but is so often misunderstood
Trailer/Tow Vehicle Behaviour & Suspension
- Caravan and tow vehicle dynamics
- Caravan design need for change
- Caravan suspension – it is mostly misunderstood
- Caravan weight safe to tow – depends on what tows it
- Caravan wheel placement
- Caravan Length and Stability
- Caravan Tow Ball Weight – how much
- 10 Tips for Safe Caravan Towing
- Caravan nose weight – it’s vital for safe towing
- Choosing a Caravan Tow Vehicle
- Do Not Trust Caravan Declared Mass
- Fifth wheelers are safer – here’s why they are
- Gross Combined Mass Upgrades
- How caravan and tow vehicles interact
- Is Caravan Independent Suspension Essential? – the answer is no.
- Loading a Caravan Safely
- Making stable caravans – here’s how and why to do it
- Mechanical sway-control has little value at speed
- Motorhome and trailer tyres
- Need for a WDH – avoid using one if possible
- Overhung Caravan Hitches
- Overweight RVs – a police point of view
- Reducing caravan sway – here’s how to minimise the causes
- RV Accident Data (Australia)
- RV Industry Changes Needed
- Should I grease my tow ball?
- Tow Vehicle/Caravan Weight Ratio Explained
- Towing Without a WDH – Weight Distributing Hitch
- Trailer Dynamics Simply Explained
- Warning for Potential Caravan Buyers – how to buy a caravan
- Weight Distribution Hitch limits cornering
- Weight distribution hitch setup – how much correction is needed
- Wheels falling off trailers – and how to stop it happening
- Why caravans sway and roll over – how to prevent it
Cooling and Heating
- Caravan air conditioning – here’s how
- Caravan fridge problems – how to fix the most common faults
- Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
- Diesel heating in caravans and motorhomes – it’s easy, effective and safe
- Make caravan fridges work as claimed – here’s how to do it
- RV Fridge Basics
- Safe RV heating – use diesel or LP gas
General
- Caravan air conditioning – here’s how
- Caravan design need for change
- Caravan facts and opinions – the nonsense so often on caravan forums
- Caravan suspension – it is mostly misunderstood
- 10 Tips for RVing Around Australia
- All solar house – self-building an off-grid all solar house
- Are Lithium-ion Batteries Worth Their Price – homes and properties
- Australian RV Road Rules – Summary
- Baghdad battery myth
- Buy a New RV in 5 Steps
- Buying used caravans – what to check
- Choosing a Caravan Tow Vehicle
- Choosing the right interior fittings for an Australian RV
- Convert to your own all solar home
- Driving across Africa – in 1956/60 the very last time it was possible
- Electric and Hybrid Vehicles
- Electric Vehicle History
- Electric Vehicle Home Charging
- Electric Vehicle Motors
- Electrolysis corrosion in vehicles – how to find and fix it
- Energy and Power
- Ensuring Successful Solar Projects
- Fuel savers do not work – almost all are scams
- Generators for Cabins and RVs
- Generators for Home and Property Systems
- Going off the grid
- Have portable solar in your rented home
- How much solar capacity do I need?
- How much solar energy available?
- How much solar input – here’s how to find out
- How to free camp legally in Australia
- How to stop paying for electricity
- Inverters for Homes and Properties
- Is a 4 wheel drive needed for motorhomes
- Is Napisan a Safe Toilet Chemical?
- Lightning risk in RVs – how to reduce that risk
- Living with solar – how make it all work
- Napisan and Look-Alikes safe for Septic Tanks – a professor’s view
- Our Solar Equipped RVs
- Overhung Caravan Hitches
- Problems with stand-alone solar – much applies also to RVs
- Quietening caravan water pumps – easy and cheap to do
- Retarding rust electronically – claims are exaggerated
- RV fault issues – who is responsible?
- RV forum common sense – a rare commodity?
- RV Layout – How to Choose the Best
- RV Solar and Alternator Charging
- RV Solar Basics
- RV Toilets – Which is Best?
- Safe toilet chemicals – can Napisan be used in septic tanks?
RV Solar
- Australian Battery Breakthrough
- Grid connect solar modules for RVs – here’s how you can use them
- How much solar input – here’s how to find out
- How to tell caravan battery charge – energy monitoring explained
- Lithium batteries for caravans
- Lithium battery safety in caravans – are they all the same?
- Our solar equipped RVs – all proved a major success
- Problems with stand-alone solar – much applies also to RVs
- RV Batteries
- Solar input available for caravans – know what’s available and increase it too
- Solar regulators with current shunts – how to fix misleading readings
Travel
- Caravan design need for change
- Caravan wheel placement
- Caravan Length and Stability
- Caravan Tow Ball Weight – how much
- 10 Tips for RVing Around Australia
- Australian Road Rules Confuse
- Australian RV and towing rules and regulations – a general guide
- Australian RV Road Rules – Summary
- Best Way to RV Around Australia
- Buy a New RV in 5 Steps
- Caravan tare weight issues – some declared weights may not be correct
- Choosing a Caravan Tow Vehicle
- Choosing the right interior fittings for an Australian RV
- Claims for dual-cab ute towing capacity mislead caravan buyers
- Do Not Trust Caravan Declared Mass
- Driving across Africa – in 1956/60 the very last time it was possible
- Electrical converters in RVs – they’re unsuitable for free-camping
- Free camp safely in Australia – this article shows how
- How to free camp legally in Australia
- How to Reverse a Caravan
- Is a 4 wheel drive needed for motorhomes
- Loading a Caravan Safely
- Microwave for RV oven power draw – it’s more than many users think
- Motorhome and trailer tyres
- Need for a WDH – avoid using one if possible
- Overhung Caravan Hitches
- Quietening caravan water pumps – easy and cheap to do
- Reducing caravan sway – here’s how to minimise the causes
- Retarding rust electronically – claims are exaggerated
- RV forum common sense – a rare commodity?
- RV Fridge Basics
- RV Layout – How to Choose the Best
- RV Toilets – Which is Best?
- Safe toilet chemicals – can Napisan be used in septic tanks?
- Sleep apnoea machines for camping – correct choice is vital
- Solar input available for caravans – know what’s available and increase it too
- Top 10 Australian RV Apps
- TV interference from LEDs – here’s what causes it
- Weight Distribution Hitch limits cornering
- What off-road really means
Health & Safety
- Caravan weight safe to tow – depends on what tows it
- 10 Tips for Safe Caravan Towing
- Battery ventilation is vital – why take any risk?
- Blade fuse problems in caravans – they may burn or melt
- Caravan Fuses and Circuit Breakers – how to know which to use
- Caravan nose weight – it’s vital for safe towing
- Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
- Claims for dual-cab ute towing capacity mislead caravan buyers
- Diesel heating in caravans and motorhomes – it’s easy, effective and safe
- Fifth wheelers are safer – here’s why they are
- Free camp safely in Australia – this article shows how
- How to Reverse a Caravan
- Is Napisan a Safe Toilet Chemical?
- Lightning risk in RVs – how to reduce that risk
- LP Gas risk in caravans – deaths & brain damage still occurs
- Making stable caravans – here’s how and why to do it
- Mechanical sway-control has little value at speed
- Napisan and Look-Alikes safe for Septic Tanks – a professor’s view
- Overhung Caravan Hitches
- Overweight RVs – a police point of view
- RV Accident Data (Australia)
- RV Industry Changes Needed
- RV supply cables – choices of current capacity and length
- Safe RV heating – use diesel or LP gas
- Safe toilet chemicals – can Napisan be used in septic tanks?
- Sleep apnoea machines for camping – correct choice is vital
- Towing Without a WDH – Weight Distributing Hitch
- Using correct size cables for RVs is essential
Legal & Compliance
- Caravan and motorhome compliance
- Caravan design need for change
- Australian Road Rules Confuse
- Australian RV and towing rules and regulations – a general guide
- Australian RV Road Rules – Summary
- Buying used caravans – what to check
- Caravan tare weight issues – some declared weights may not be correct
- Gross Combined Mass Upgrades
- Imported RVs – there can be major problems re-registering private imports
- RV Compliance – Here’s how to know
- RV electrical work – Victorian exception
- RV fault issues – who is responsible?
- Tow Vehicle & Caravan Weight Definitions
The Camper Trailer Book
Electric Vehicles
Household Solar
- Ensuring Successful Solar Projects
- Refrigerators for Home and Property Solar
- Solar Regulators for Home and Property Systems
- Battery capacity for home and property
- Best Batteries for Solar Power Storage
- Going off the grid
- Vital things about solar in the USA
- TOP 10 SOLAR SCAMS
- Generators for Home and Property Systems
- Solar Modules for Homes and Properties
- Solar Shadowing – reducing the losses
- Grid connect solar problems – what vendors may not reveal
- Inverters for Homes and Properties
- How to stop paying for electricity
- Have portable solar in your rented home
- Convert to your own all solar home
- Fuel cells for homes and properties
- Upgrading solar system has unexpected traps
- Solar charge your electric car at home
Want to find out more? Our books cover all these topics and a lot more.
Whether you’re buying your first RV or updating to a bigger, more comfortable rig, there are a great many things you need to know and consider. How to Choose and Buy an RV breaks things down so that you can decide what you want and whether or not what you’ve found is right for you.
Solar That Really Works! explains every detail of designing and installing solar in boats, camper trailers, caravans and motorhomes.
Caravan & Motorhome Electrics covers every aspect of designing, installing and fault finding of the electrics in fifth wheel and conventional caravans, camper trailers and motorhomes.
The Caravan & Motorhome Book covers every conceivable aspect of camper trailer, caravan and fifth wheel caravan, campervan and motorhome usage.
Caravans and their tow vehicles rarely jack-knife and roll over – but when they do the results are catastrophic. The cause, and how to prevent it, is explained here. Why Caravans Roll Over offers solid advice for keeping yourself safe on the road.
learn more
Solar Success explains how to design and build home and property systems that ensures affordable solar success first and every time.
Between 1959 and 1961 Collyn Rivers and Antony Fleming drove a Bedford QLR off-road truck twice the length and breadth of Africa studying road surface conditions.
A 43 minute film about their adventure, produced and narrated by Antony Fleming, has been viewed on YouTube more than 1.6 million times!
To view the film, and also read Collyn’s telling of the tale, just click the button below.
Whether you’re buying your first RV or updating to a bigger, more comfortable rig, there are a great many things you need to know and consider. This book breaks things down so that you can decide what you want and whether or not what you’ve found is right for you. It’s technically sound and comprehensive so that you can proceed with complete confidence. How to Choose and Buy an RV is the ultimate guide for those times when you want to, well, choose and buy an RV.
Caravans and their tow vehicles rarely jack-knife and roll over – but when they do the results are catastrophic. The cause, and how to prevent it, is explained here. Why Caravans Roll Over offers solid advice for keeping yourself safe on the road.
Caravan & Motorhome Electrics is the totally rewritten successor to the original globally selling Motorhome Electrics. The book’s content now also covers every aspect of designing, installing and fault finding of the electrics in fifth wheel and conventional caravans, camper trailers and motorhomes.
Solar Success explains how to design and build home and property systems that ensures affordable solar success first and every time.
The Caravan & Motorhome Book covers every conceivable aspect of camper trailer, caravan and fifth wheel caravan, campervan and motorhome usage. Like all of Collyn Rivers’ books it is technically sound yet written in plain English.
Solar That Really Works! explains, in clear English, every detail of designing and installing solar in boats, camper trailers, caravans and motorhomes. It is up-to-date, valid globally and technically accurate. It is clear, concise and easy to follow without sacrificing important detail.
This is Collyn Rivers’ newest book. Building on his years of experience and extensive knowledge of engineering and all things caravan and RV, this is the book you need with you when shopping for an RV.
Collyn Rivers has done it again! – if you need to know anything about motorhome electrics, then this book is for you… Collyn must be, without doubt, the foremost authority in Australia on this subject.
Why Caravans Roll Over….and How to Prevent It
Should be compulsory reading for everyone involved with Caravans: Design / Engineering, Marketing, Journalism (print & electronic), Regulations, Inspections, Driver-Training, Caravan Clubs, Towing and Modifications.
Collyn is an accomplished engineer who knows how to design and build successful systems. It is refreshing to see practical advice written in plain language when there is so little solar information around. . . this is an essential text . . . you won’t find a better guide.
Without doubt, this is the best book we have ever read . . . it will be treasured, and read on a regular basis.