After 50 miles of towing my van I heard a thumping noise I stopped immediately and found my jockey wheel was on the ground. The wheel centre had melted but still rotated, lucky enough the rest of the jockey wheel was not bent or damaged.
Before I set out on my trip I hired the jockey wheel up as far as I could and matched it up to the profile on the chassis.
My question would be is it possible that the handle could rotate dropping the wheel and how can I stop it from happening again.
The wheel was easy enough to replace but it did cost me £22.00
Basically, the jockey wheel shouldn't drop while towing, so I'm afraid you didn't tighten everything as you should.
Personally, I always wind the lower half up into the upper part, tighten that, then tighten the whole thing in the A-frame bracket.
As David mentioned, if you wind the wheel right up there are normally two notches on the bottom of the outer sleeve which the arms supporting the wheel fit into to stop it spinning around whils in the storage position. Then full lift the wheel assembly by loosening the "L" shaped clamp and pulling right up into the A frame, and makesure the clamp is tight and secure, it might be an idea to spray a little WD40 over the thread on the clamp to make sure you you get it clamped good and tight.
It was the arm that supports the wheel that dropped.
Andy the way you decribed it was exactly the way it was done.
The jockey wheel was up into the two notches and the outer sleeve was moved up as far as it would go and secured to the A frame, the wheel was actually against the profile of the wheel on the A frame
When I examined the wheel (after the accident) I thought that the whole wheel assembley had dropped down through the L clamp but it hadnt moved only the spindle with the wheel dropped.
Im left with the possibility that I didnt wind the red handle up enough to lock it tight although the wheel spindle was in the notches it probable wasnt tight.
If this was the case could the top handle turn and lower the jockey wheel while towing ?
I've never known the handle to turn whilst towing although I have seen others with bungie straps attached to the when towing, I s'pose it a possibility.
If I am taking the van on a long trip I often take off the jockey wheel. This gives increased ground clearance over speed bumps and the like and removes chance of any jockey related incidents en route.
Have you checked the hitch and the tow ball. I have know of these getting broken when the jockey wheel takes a whack in this way.
I have never kown the jockey wheel to wind itself down. More likely is you forgot to tighten it up. I always check and double check when I hitch up the leads, hitch, jockey wheel and break away cable. Make sure the wheel is wound all the way up, usually a slot it winds up into, and then secure it alongside the a frame, not underneath.
------------- "You can not change the wind, but you can adjust your sails"
I thought £22.00 was a bit steep but needs must. The whole assembly would have cost me £39.00 sometimes the price rise is blamed on the stretch of water between us (same postal service) but as I said I really needed it.
From now on its either as Andy said bungie cord or as Ulti-Mate said take the jockey wheel out.
Ulti-Mate mentioned about ground clearance with the jockey wheel does anyone know about caravan movers and ground clearance I have thought about a mover but speed bumps and ground clearance are a worry.
Sorry for going of track there just thought id ask.
Thanks for your replies its great to have other like minded people to ask.
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Topic: Jockey wheel slipped
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