We've had a problem twice so far this year where our jockey wheel has dropped mid journey. The first time it hapenned I assumed that we hadn't tightened it properly. This time though it appeared tight still but the wheel seemed to have wound down to the floor! It was a really windy day - can this cause the handle to unwind? Or is the jockey wheel faulty? Or is it human error and are we doing something wrong when putting the wheel up?
That's the reason why I asked if the jockey was being locked because if it's not then the vibration can allow the small wheel to spin and drop out of the thread. I know because this happened to me a few years back until someone told me that there is a notch where the spindle frame locks in to. Since then I haven't had a problem but quite often people don't know about this and they end up removing their jockey wheel whilst the caravan is in tow.
If you don't want to remove the jockey wheel completely release the bracket screw and lift up the jockey wheel post in the usual way then lock the bracket screw in position. Finally wind the wheel up on the thread until it is jammed to the drawbar and will not move.
This shoud stop it unwinding in transit and also help to eliminate noise.
I mentioned this to my husband after the incident earlier. We definitely hadn't been locking into the grooves at the bottom of the post. But when we tried unwinding the top jockey handle while the wheel was locked to test it, it still seemed to unwind so we weren't sure whether this was the problem? I'm not sure if that makes sense!!
I was convinced we should have been locking it so I'm happy to say I was right if that's the issue resolved
The jockey wheel and the handle and linked together by means of a thread, that's why when you turn the handle it winds the wheel up and down. The basic procedure is to.... a) Hitch up the caravan. ...b) Wind up the jockey wheel and locate it into the groove as it rises and continue winding till the handle fully locks (winds no further). ...c) Release the jockey wheel clamp (on the 'A' frame) and lift the whole jockey upwards till the clamp is located near to the bottom of the post then re-tighten clamp to secure the jockey wheel. If the winding handle then turns then there is something wrong with the jockey wheel. Hope this explains more in detail to ensure that you are actually locking the jockey wheel up right.
We had a similar experience with the jockey
wheel dropping (rather scary, going down a steep hill!) and cured the problem by
replacing the original tightening handle with one from another make of
van.The replacement holds much better than the original.
Happened to me twice with two separate Jockey wheels.Both were locked in proper position,only had to replace the first one,luckily.Fixed it with a Bungy Cord that stopped the handle from turning and lowering the wheel.No trouble since. Loved the noise when the wheel hit the tarmac on the motorway!!!??!
I'm fairly sure we've done most of the procedure properly apart from making sure the wheel mount is in the slots. I'll make doubly sure next outting but I think we'll invest in a bungee cord just in case!
We were on the A1M when we heard the (now familiar) banging this trip!!
I should also say that we've had this caravan for a couple of years and have taken it all over with no problems yet this has hapenned twice in the last month. I'm wondering whether it was damaged the last time it hapenned.
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Topic: Jockey Wheel - Are we missing something?
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