Ratchet Jockey Wheels

Submitted: Monday, May 07, 2007 at 21:20

ThreadID: 45196 Views:10074 Replies:9 FollowUps:7

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Brian B (Brisbane)

Hi Folks,

We recently changed over from our soft floor camper trailer to a new Goldstream camper and we are really happy with it.

I had an AT35 hitch installed and like a lot of other people have mentioned in the posts I have read, they can be a real bugger to line up etc.

I picked up one tip about using a piece of ply with a timber edge attached placed underneath the jockey wheel to help make moving the camper easier and I will knock this up in the next day or so.

I am also considering getting one of those ratchet jockey wheels to help with moving it and aligning it when I have to hitch it up.

Has anyone got any advice on these type jockey wheels and do they think they would suit my purposes OK?

Thanks in advance.

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Reply By: Peter - Monday, May 07, 2007 at 21:28

Monday, May 07, 2007 at 21:28

Brian
We had a Goldstream (Gold Storm) camper and I fitted it with a the ratchet jockey wheel. Made moving the van very easy. The only problem I had was every now and then it would tend to roll over on the jockey wheel tyre, even with 50psi sometimes it would happen. (I did have 2 batteries in the boot so that made it a bit heavier). Don't buy the SuperCheap ones, I had the ALKO one which is a lot more solid construction (also a lot dearer - around $300 I think)
Peter

AnswerID: 238469

Follow Up By: Brian B (Brisbane) - Tuesday, May 08, 2007 at 09:00

Tuesday, May 08, 2007 at 09:00

Peter,

Thanks for the information.

FollowupID: 499626

Reply By: Notso - Monday, May 07, 2007 at 21:30

Monday, May 07, 2007 at 21:30

They are Heavy and a real pain in the A.

Use the flat bit of ply and you'll find it easy to get that little bit of movement you need.

AnswerID: 238470

Follow Up By: Brian B (Brisbane) - Tuesday, May 08, 2007 at 09:01

Tuesday, May 08, 2007 at 09:01

Thanks. I will make up a piece of ply.

FollowupID: 499627

Reply By: Derek from Affordable Batteries & Radiators - Monday, May 07, 2007 at 21:37

Monday, May 07, 2007 at 21:37

Hi Brian

My rig weighs 2500kg loaded. Goldstream 'Getaway' and I tried a ratchet wheel but it just spun and did not move the van.

I would also recommended a good solid piece of wood.

Regards

Derek.

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AnswerID: 238474

Follow Up By: Brian B (Brisbane) - Tuesday, May 08, 2007 at 09:01

Tuesday, May 08, 2007 at 09:01

Thanks Derek.

FollowupID: 499628

Reply By: Member - Poppy (QLD) - Monday, May 07, 2007 at 21:39

Monday, May 07, 2007 at 21:39

G'day Brian
After battling for 12 months with the standard pnuematic jockey wheel on our Cape York CT, I purchased a good quality ratchet type from our local trailer parts supplier and mate it was the best purchase I ever made, makes lining up the hitch such a breeze, not to mention getting the CT into tight spots where you want it facing the opposite way to where you back it in. Go for it
Cheers Ray

AnswerID: 238476

Follow Up By: Brian B (Brisbane) - Tuesday, May 08, 2007 at 09:01

Tuesday, May 08, 2007 at 09:01

Thanks Ray.

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Reply By: Member - Douglas M (SA) - Monday, May 07, 2007 at 21:52

Monday, May 07, 2007 at 21:52

hi Brian,
I bought one in Broom when my normal one collapsed. They are heavy but as has been said, excellent for lining up the hitch to drop in the pin and also for moving the trailer around the shed.
Doug

AnswerID: 238481

Follow Up By: Brian B (Brisbane) - Tuesday, May 08, 2007 at 09:02

Tuesday, May 08, 2007 at 09:02

Thanks Doug

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Reply By: Member - nrb1748 (VIC) - Monday, May 07, 2007 at 22:47

Monday, May 07, 2007 at 22:47

I agree with the other comments - the ratchet type are bulky and heavy.

There are different size wheel/tyres available for the standard type jockey wheel. The larger size with the wider solid rubber tyre are much easier to use and don't bury themselves into the ground as much as the standard size. Maybe worth checking what size wheel/tyre you have. If you already have the larger size, I'd recommend the piece of ply.

nrb1748

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AnswerID: 238496

Follow Up By: Brian B (Brisbane) - Tuesday, May 08, 2007 at 09:02

Tuesday, May 08, 2007 at 09:02

Thanks for the advice.

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Reply By: AdlelaideGeorge - Tuesday, May 08, 2007 at 08:48

Tuesday, May 08, 2007 at 08:48

Hi

I have a heavy boat and trailer and I'll need to manoeuvre it into a tight space 'winter home' soon.

Could somebody describe the use of the 'piece of ply with a timber edge attached' method of for manoeuvreing please?

Happy days

George

AnswerID: 238534

Reply By: Member - Vince B (NSW) - Tuesday, May 08, 2007 at 13:35

Tuesday, May 08, 2007 at 13:35

Hi Brian.
I must agree with Peter. Don't touch the super cheap item> If you are after an alko wheel, there is on for sale on ebay. The alko wheel is definitely built better than some of the cheap units around at the moment.
Regards.
Vince

AnswerID: 238567

Follow Up By: Brian B (Brisbane) - Tuesday, May 08, 2007 at 17:02

Tuesday, May 08, 2007 at 17:02

Vince,

Thanks.

I am just about to have a look at what is on ebay.

Have a good one.

FollowupID: 499673

Reply By: WA 1968 - Wednesday, May 09, 2007 at 22:47

Wednesday, May 09, 2007 at 22:47

Brian

I have an ALKO one. Pinched it off my old man when he sold his van so i cost me nothing..think i let him drink some of my beer last time he was down. I use it on my Coromal PS451. If he didn't have one I would have bought my own. Best piece of equipment we have got. THe only drama we have, is a bit of a bitch to use on grass. We have to push our around the back when not in use and carves the guts out of the grass.

Only complaint really.

Ash