How to keep your B&W from freezing - Diesel Forum

ShepVA · 03-09-2005, 11:03 AM

OK, all you guys that have B&W turnover balls in your trucks. This is my first winter with mine in the 2000 dually. Went out to move the trailer and it had rained and snowed. The ball was turned over and I could not get it out so that I could hook up the trailer. Finally I poured hot water on it and it let go, but when I turned it up guess what happed to my hot water--- yup it froze the ball in the up position, so when I got done with the trailer it is now frozen up.

So how do you guys that have been running these balls keep them from freezing in the winter??? Maybe you dont and I just have to run with it up all winter. Or, maybe I could convince the wife that I need a new heated shop to keep the dually in [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif[/img]

Weezer · 03-09-2005, 11:38 AM

Shep,
Next time you go to thaw it out, try using windshield washer fluid- shouldn't re-freeze. Best answer is heated garage- I'll never be without again [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif[/img].

Keith

firefighter9208 · 03-09-2005, 11:42 AM

Try coating the outside of the ball with grease. B&W recommends that you coat the four corners of the ball with grease. This should shed away the water and keep it from freezing.

When I bought my truck the ball hadn't been removed in a while and it was rusted in place. I had to get under the truck and beat it out of the hole with a ballpean hammer. I have applied wheel bearing grease to the four corners of the ball and haven't had a problem since.

Firefighter9208

allentaylor · 03-09-2005, 11:52 AM

I use antisieze on both my b&w`s.

ShepVA · 03-09-2005, 02:08 PM

Good ideas, I will try putting some grease on the corners and see what happens. Do you get grease on things in the bed when the ball is flipped over? Also do you put grease on the four corners on both ends of the ball or just the bottom??

I still think this is grounds for a heated building to put the truck in [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

firefighter9208 · 03-09-2005, 03:18 PM

I really just smear the hole full in the hitch. It will get on the sides of the ball.

Firefighter9208

firefighter9208 · 03-09-2005, 03:19 PM

I really just smear grease on the sides of the hitch hole in the bed. It will get on the sides of the ball.

Firefighter9208

Jim Filges · 03-10-2005, 09:28 AM

Personally I never run with my hitch balls hanging upside down. I always removed the ball put it in a HD Zip Lock bag and store in my toolbox. I grease the ball before hitching up and it still looks like new.

My thought was the chance of introducing grit, grime and corrosion into the hitch of your trailer if stored upside down in the hitch, turned over and go.

I know many people who do this, many who do not grease there balls and they appear rusted and galled!!!

MudHog · 03-10-2005, 01:28 PM

I don't have a problem with freezing, but I do have a prob with crud and mud causing the ball to stick. I put grease on the whole base and hasn't stuck since.

For the freezing part, maybe move father south? [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif[/img]

Nick_Kent · 03-10-2005, 09:54 PM

I keep my ball in a box and have B&W's little cover in the hitch. Never had any trouble with it freezing.

firemanbuttsy · 03-10-2005, 10:41 PM

Good to know I am not the only one mine froze up yesterday had to use some windshield de-icer to get it free. Worked good though. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shrug.gif[/img]