What’s the difference between a ‘wet head’ and ‘dry head’ trailer coupling?
A ‘wet head’ is essentially a grease-lubricated coupling, such as a traditional ball and socket connection. A ‘dry head’ is a stabiliser type that has friction pads built in. This requires a clean and dry towball.
Neither type of coupling is maintenance free. The dry head requires a clean towball free from oil or grease. Paint or other coatings should be removed for optimum operation and if the ball gets rusty the rust must be scoured off before use or there’s a risk of noisy operation.
The grease on the ball and coupling of a wet head needs to be cleaned off occasionally and replaced because it will pick up dirt particles over time. How often this needs to be done is dependent on the frequency of use and the type of environment you drive in, but it should be done at least annually.
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