Many drivers reach for grease or spray to improve the look of a rusty tow ball, but mechanic Juan José Ebenezer warns that this can create safety problems. Ebenezer, who has a large following on TikTok, says lubricating the tow ball can make a trailer’s brakes less effective.
Many drivers believe a shiny, smooth tow ball shows they’re taking good care of their car. Ebenezer disagrees. The friction material (ferodo) in trailer stabilizers needs direct contact with the tow ball to keep the trailer steady and prevent it from swinging or jackknifing. Add grease or spray, and that friction is lost. The stabilizer can no longer do its job. “Never, never, never put grease or spray, or anything strange, on the tow ball,” Ebenezer says in one of his TikTok videos.
Industry guidelines distinguish between standard towing balls and those used with friction stabilizers: grease can reduce wear on a regular ball, but it is strictly prohibited for stabilizer systems with friction pads because it undermines their safety function.
Independent technical review
Instead of using lubricants to cover scratches or rust, Ebenezer suggests fitting a simple cap to keep moisture off the tow ball when you’re not towing. Visible wear, he says, is a sign that the stabilizer is doing its job. “If you lose the paint, it’s because the brake is working,” he explains. A little rust is less dangerous than losing the friction that keeps your trailer under control.
Ebenezer also says many drivers load their trailers incorrectly. Putting most of the weight at the back makes a trailer unstable. Keep the heaviest items close to the car or in the center, never at the rear. “Always load more from the middle forward, so the car stays stable and can recover grip quickly if there’s a swerve,” he says. Ignoring this advice can lead to jackknifing or even a rollover, real risks on Spanish roads.
Electrical connections are another source of confusion. Newer cars often have thirteen-pin connectors, while many trailers still use the older seven-pin type. Ebenezer says there’s no need to rewire anything: just use an adapter. “Just use an adapter, you don’t need to change any plugs,” he says, making the process less intimidating for drivers.
In European towing setups, a 13-pin to 7-pin adapter provides only basic lighting functions. Advanced features such as reverse lights and auxiliary power will not work if the trailer or vehicle is limited to 7-pin wiring. This often confuses owners who expect a simple adapter to provide full functionality.
Technical industry analysis
Ebenezer’s straightforward advice stands out as bad information spreads quickly online. His direct style has drawn a large audience, with many people trusting him for technical tips and personal advice. As reported earlier, his openness about his own struggles has strengthened his credibility among Spanish drivers.
Information from Google/SpainAuto, the problem extends beyond individual habits: many people lack a clear understanding of how modern towing systems work. Ferodo-based stabilizers on many European trailers are designed for dry friction, not lubricated surfaces. Greasing the tow ball may seem harmless, but it can quietly disable a basic safety feature. As more people in Spain use trailers and caravans, Ebenezer’s warning is timely: leaving the tow ball alone may be the safer choice.
