I have just taken delivery of a new Skoda Kodiaq.which has a electric tow ball fitted. When not in use, the ball sits beneath the rear bumper.The ball is matt black, the last 2 tow ball's on other vehicles were bright shiny metal.
The advice I would like to know is, Do I clean off the black, and risk the metal rusting up, or leave it matt black, which I presume will protect it, from rusting up!
PS I don't think a conventional ball cover will suffice, as the ball packed away is upside down, so a cover will drop off.
What towing hitch are you using?
If an Alko or similar then the black needs to be removed otherwise it contaminates the friction pads and stops them working. If it does rust slightly then a quick wipe with a Scotchbrite pad or pan scourer will sort it out.
All towballs are painted black before despatch from the manufacturers merely for protection against being damaged and avoiding any surface rust before reaching the customer. There is no other reason why it's painted and if you conduct a search on Google about removing paint from the towball before towing, there's plenty of information about this topic. The link below provides the information you need so just follow the advice.
If it's a Winterhof stabiliser hitch then ball must be clean shiny metal when you hitch up. Best bet is to clean ball with abrasive paper then apply some grease over it while stowed. When you tow clean ball with meths & if required abrasive paper as well. If there is room for a cover then caravan shop will stock Alko towball cover which looks like a golf ball & won't come off.
A stabiliser hitch needs clean shiny ball. Standard hitch which is greased does not. So if you are towing your garden trailer as well no need to clean ball.
Thanks for the advice, I suspected having to clean the paint off. I wondered if they have invented a new protective coating, and next time at the caravan shop, I will get a cover.
We had to remove the black paint form our new superb when we got it. You may struggle to get a cover that fits it when its under the bumper as the gap is very small.
When I asked Skoda they said it wouldn't need a cover. Well it does or it starts to rust! We have tried various things. Currently we're using a balloon!
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Topic: Tow Ball?
