Trailer coupling greasing in Exeter
Professional trailer coupling greasing services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£60
Typical Duration
10-15 mins
Location
Exeter, Devon
Trailer coupling cleaned and properly greased for smooth, quiet towing. Reduces wear, prevents rust, stops that annoying squeaking noise.
Stop That Squeaking
Hook up your trailer and every corner sounds like you're dragging a bag of spanners down the road. That grinding, squeaking noise that makes everyone look at you.
💡 Pro tip: A properly greased coupling is quieter, wears less, and actually improves fuel economy slightly by reducing friction.
Why Proper Greasing Matters
More than just stopping the noise:
| ✅ Greased Properly | ❌ Dry/Neglected |
|---|---|
| Quiet, smooth operation | Squeaking driving you mad |
| Ball protected from rust | Rusty ball wearing coupling |
| Coupling wears evenly | Grooves wearing in ball |
| Easy to couple up | Stiff, difficult connection |
What You Get
🔧 The Full Service
I'll clean the tow ball thoroughly, apply proper trailer coupling grease, make sure the coupling mechanism moves freely, and wipe off any excess.
📦 You're Left With
- Properly greased coupling
- Quiet towing
- Protected from rust
- Smooth operation
Pricing Guide
| What's Involved | Estimated Time | You'll Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Coupling greasing | 10-15 mins | £60 |
£60 minimum charge. Quick 10-minute job but that's the callout fee.
Perfect For Your Project If...
✅ Squeaking coupling - driving you mad
✅ Rusty tow ball - needs cleaning and protecting
✅ Forgotten to grease - about to tow
✅ Part of pre-trip check - caravan trip prep
Why Choose Us for Trailer coupling greasing in Exeter?
Coupling properly greased
Quieter towing
Reduced wear and friction
Quick 10-minute service
What to Expect
Step 1: Clean Ball
Wire brush the tow ball to remove old grease, dirt, and rust. Clean surface is critical for proper greasing.
Step 2: Apply Grease
Apply proper trailer coupling grease to the ball - not too much, not too little. Focus on the contact area where coupling sits.
Step 3: Wipe Excess
Remove any excess grease that'll just fling off when you're driving. You want a thin, even coating.
🔧 DIY Tips
Trailer coupling greasing is genuinely easy - perfect DIY job:
🔧 Tools you'll need
- Wire brush
- Proper trailer coupling grease
- Clean rag or paper towels
📐 How to do it properly
Cleaning:
- Wire brush the tow ball to remove old grease
- Wipe with clean rag
- Check for rust or damage
- If rusty, wire brush until clean metal shows
Greasing:
- Apply thin layer of grease to top half of ball
- Focus on where coupling makes contact
- Don't overdo it - thin coat is enough
- Wipe off any excess
Testing:
- Couple up the trailer
- Jockey wheel down, test movement
- Should move smoothly and quietly
- If it still squeaks, add a bit more grease
✨ Grease types
- Use: Proper trailer coupling grease (thick, sticky)
- Don't use: WD-40 (too thin, washes off)
- Don't use: General purpose grease (not designed for high loads)
- NEVER use on stabilizer hitches - they need friction
⚠️ Common DIY mistakes
- Using too much grease (flings everywhere)
- Not cleaning ball first
- Using wrong type of grease
- Greasing stabilizer hitches (breaks them)
- Not checking coupling mechanism moves freely
💡 Pro trick: Keep a small pot of coupling grease in your car or caravan. Quick touch-up before each trip takes 30 seconds and makes a huge difference to towing smoothness.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
🚗 IMPORTANT: If you have a stabilizer hitch (AL-KO, BPW, etc.), DO NOT grease the ball. They specifically require a clean, dry ball for the friction pads to work. Check your hitch type before greasing.
Before every trip - Greasing the coupling is part of pre-trip checks. Takes 2 minutes, prevents wear, stops annoying noises.
Minimum charge applies - This is genuinely a 10-minute DIY job. Only makes sense to book if I'm already at yours doing other towing prep work.
Check ball wear - While you're greasing, check the ball for grooves or wear. Worn balls need replacing (MOT fail and dangerous).
Devon caravanning - Loads of great caravan sites in Devon. Proper coupling maintenance makes the journey there much more pleasant.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why would I pay someone to grease a trailer coupling?
You probably wouldn't - it's dead simple. Wipe the ball clean, apply grease, couple up. But if you're about to tow and forgot to grease it, or you're getting other towing work done, I can sort it quickly.
What type of grease do you use?
Proper trailer coupling grease - designed specifically for ball hitches. Not WD-40, not general purpose grease. The proper stuff stays put under load and doesn't wash off easily.
How often should I grease the coupling?
Before every tow ideally, or at minimum every few months if you tow regularly. Signs you need grease: squeaking/grinding noises when turning, visible rust on ball, coupling feels stiff.
Do I need to grease stabilizer hitches?
NO - stabilizer hitches (like AL-KO or BPW) specifically say NOT to grease the ball. They rely on friction pads and grease stops them working. Regular hitches need grease, stabilizers don't.
Can I just use any grease?
You can, but trailer coupling grease works better - it's designed to stay put under the high loads and movement of towing. WD-40 or general grease washes off quickly.
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01392 964094Request Online QuoteOur Rates
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