If you want to maintain your hitch ball and prevent rust and corrosion, then yes, you should grease it. But you don’t have to do it. It’s totally up to you. Just be prepared to endure the loud squeakiness accompanying a rusty hitch if you don’t grease it.
The biggest benefit of greasing your hitch ball is the protection. When you grease the hitch ball, you’re preventing the damage that comes from metal-to-metal contact. It’s going to get scratched up. It’s going to peel. That’s just part of the trailer hitch connection. You’re also going to see gravel particles and dirt on the hitch, which will further damage it and cause scratches and dings.
Some people do not like the “look” of a greasy trailer hitch ball. Maybe you just purchased a beautiful chrome hitch ball and don’t want to lather it in greasy goo the next day. But aside from the aesthetics, one disadvantage is that you can trap grime, sediment, bugs, and the like. These particles grind against the metal like sandpaper.
-Covering the hitch ball when not in use -Dry Graphite Lube (link in swipe up) -Tube-o-Lube (link in swipe up)