Jockey Wheel

Submitted: Wednesday, Mar 04, 2009 at 12:18

ThreadID: 66490 Views:4528 Replies:7 FollowUps:4

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Darbro74

HI,
My van has a ball weight of 220Kg - which i believe is quite heavy. The current SOLID WHEEL jockey is slightly bent and i dont have alot of faith in it. Used the van once and it almost buried itself in the dirt - possibly how it got slightly bent.... Purchased a standard pneumatic jockey wheel, however this has a Max Load Rating of 500lb`s (225Kg). Needless to say, when i first used this jockey, the tire was flattened to a point where it could not be moved. I had 48psi in the tyre...Should i have had more air in the tyre, or is it simply not going to be suitable for the van. Does anyone have suggestions of a jockey wheel that would best suit.

Thanks

Darbro

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Reply By: Notso - Wednesday, Mar 04, 2009 at 12:43

Wednesday, Mar 04, 2009 at 12:43

I've used the standard solid tyre jockey wheel on every van I've owned. Never any problem. Always carried a flat board that I whack under the Jockey where the ground is soft.

Is the van a dual axle or single axle?

Have you actually checked the Ball Weight of the van, a lot of them are way out from that displayed on the placard.

AnswerID: 352142

Reply By: Darbro74 - Wednesday, Mar 04, 2009 at 12:53

Wednesday, Mar 04, 2009 at 12:53

Hi,

Van is single axle, had it weight from Towball fitter / suppliers. I had had numberous "correct" weights, however they were between 110Kg and 380Kgs....a little too different for my liking, so took to and had it properly weighed.

Cheers

AnswerID: 352144

Reply By: Pat (vic) - Wednesday, Mar 04, 2009 at 13:44

Wednesday, Mar 04, 2009 at 13:44

Hi, do yourself a favour and get rid of the pneumatic jockey wheel as I have had two of them and didn’t last long they burst with only about 150kg.
I replaced it with a solid rubber and one piece steel rim 10” about $30 for the wheel only and haven’t had any problems since.
When moving the van always lower the jockey wheel as to not bend the shaft and use a flat plate under it if the ground is soft.

Cheers Pat

AnswerID: 352153

Reply By: Member - Willie , Sydney. - Wednesday, Mar 04, 2009 at 14:17

Wednesday, Mar 04, 2009 at 14:17

I got a pneumatic one and had the tyre filled with silicone by a tyre fitter in Parramatta. Apparently it is often done to forklift tyres.

I did it because the damn thing kept going flat. No problems now and it holds it's shape better under load.

Willie.

AnswerID: 352154

Reply By: Lucko - Wednesday, Mar 04, 2009 at 17:30

Wednesday, Mar 04, 2009 at 17:30

If your van conforms with generally accepted rules, 220Kg on the ball would give you a 2.2 Tonne van (10% of gross is what you should have on the ball). That seems quite high for a single axle van, depending on the suspension system you have. The Alko leaf spring system, for example, I believe is only good for about 1.5T.
Anyhow, I've found the hydraulic TrailerMate an excellent jocky and van jack. As said earlier a plank under the wheel helps that 'sinking feeling'. We always carry several pieces of 50mm timber, good for under the jocky or to level the van.
Mark

AnswerID: 352185

Follow Up By: Member - Old Girl (QLD) - Wednesday, Mar 04, 2009 at 19:32

Wednesday, Mar 04, 2009 at 19:32

We have bad luck with the manual jockey wheels, probably human error. Just bought a hydraulic TrailerMate . Fantastic we always use wood for that and the stabliser legs. Put stand under a frame and lock the jack away from five finger bandits. So easy to use.

FollowupID: 620402

Follow Up By: Darbro74 - Wednesday, Mar 04, 2009 at 22:24

Wednesday, Mar 04, 2009 at 22:24

Hi Mark,
One thing i have learnt is that the "general rule of thumb - 10% of gross weight" is not actually correct. According to that rule - or the other rule of the ATM - GTM = Ball weight, the weight on the ball should be 110Kg. However, as my van is the largest in its range, the wheels are quite a way towards to the rear - hence its is already very nose heavy. The van does have the independant rear suspension - leaf spring. Looked at the Ezimove Ratchet systems, but dont think it will suit due to position of jockey mount.
Cheers for your thoughts.

Darbro

FollowupID: 620456

Reply By: Member Boroma 604 - Wednesday, Mar 04, 2009 at 20:46

Wednesday, Mar 04, 2009 at 20:46

Gooday,
You can get a much heavier duty one made by Manutec, not sure where to buy it, try one of the Caravan parts supply people, won't be cheap but are very sturdy.
Cheers,
Boroma604.

AnswerID: 352217

Follow Up By: Member - Ed. C. (QLD) - Wednesday, Mar 04, 2009 at 23:06

Wednesday, Mar 04, 2009 at 23:06

Trailer Warehouse
has The Manutec ones.. I'm sure others do as well, but this bloke carries a pretty wide range of trailer parts, and if he doesn't have what you're looking for, he'll try to source it for you.. pretty good to deal with, from my experience....

Confucius say.....
"He who lie underneath automobile with tool in hand,
....Not necessarily mechanic!!"

Member
My Profile Send Message

FollowupID: 620462

Reply By: Member - Don M (NSW) - Thursday, Mar 05, 2009 at 08:32

Thursday, Mar 05, 2009 at 08:32

As Graham said above....ditch the jockey wheel and get your self a Trailermate. They come with a wheel or a flat plate, I use the plate...best thing since sliced bread and best investment I have made in relation to the caravan.

AnswerID: 352264