When it comes to a camper trailer or caravan, you know how vital each small part is. Something that is overlooked is the jockey wheel. However, a good one can make it quite painful to move around your trailer.
We will discuss the best heavy duty jockey wheels for caravan and camper trailers in this blog. It will be simple and easy to understand.
What Is a Jockey Wheel?
A jockey wheel is a small wheel on the front of your camper trailer or caravan. Assist in moving the trailer from a point away from the car.
It folds up or down as needed for the purpose of rolling the trailer or parking the trailer. To unload your trailer, the front end is held up by the jockey wheel.
If it wasn’t there, your front trailer just would hang down to the ground. Not good.
Why is the Jockey Wheel so important?
Thousands of dollars are spent on the camper trailer by many people. However, they don’t remember the little things, like the jockey wheel.
The point is, a poor jockey wheel can make your life very difficult. It may not be able to lift itself out of the mud, fail to keep spinning when carrying a load or simply break. When it happens on a campsite or rough track, it’s a big issue.
The ideal camper trailer jockey wheel is one that makes it easy for you to drive your rig on your own. It is not necessary to call for help each time you wish to park or hitch up.
When shopping for a heavy duty jockey wheel, you’ll want to pay attention to its size, weight, and price.
There are no “standard” jockey wheels. Here’s a list of things to look for before purchasing one.
Always check the load capacity of a wheel! Off-road trailers can be quite large. Find a jockey wheel which will be able to support 500kg or more.
Wheel Size Larger wheels will roll more smoothly on uneven surfaces. A tiny wheel will sink into soft soil/mud. The larger pneumatic (air filled) wheel is much better off-road.
Strong material and Build Steel or cast iron handles. Zinc coated parts or Galvanised parts do not rust for longer duration. Don’t go for a cheap plastic piece that’s likely to break.
Clamp Size – Be sure to clamp to the A frame tube of your trailer. The standard sizes are 48mm and 60mm. Inspect your trailer before you purchase.
The jockey wheel should be easily adjusted to go up and down on a camper trailer. Try to find a smooth locking pin or handle mechanism.
There are a variety of different types of jockey wheels available for off road use and here are some of the best.
1. Pneumatic Tyre Jockey Wheels
They are like a small bicycle wheel with an air filled rubber tyre. They are the best choice for off-road use.
They roll smoothly over rough terrain, dirt, sand and gravel. The air tyre takes up shocks, which means that when you move your trailer it doesn’t bounce about. Numerous off road camper trailer owners opt for this style.
2. Solid Rubber Wheel Jockey Wheels
They won’t require air and will never go flat! They are excellent for those that camp on hard or semi-rough terrain.
They are not as smooth as pneumatic ones, but they are low maintenance. There is no more chance of you having a flat tyre on your jockey wheel!
3. Swivel Jockey Wheels
These can be rotated from side to side, so you can easily maneuver your trailer on your own. A swivel-type caravan jockey wheel may be considered if you park your caravan regularly in confined areas or drive it by yourself.
4. Socks or socks with a lining.6. Steady Jockey Wheels.
They are used when you park your caravan to level and stabilise it. These are not to move the trailer, but for holding the trailer on uneven surfaces. Many people wear these together in sets of 4 as in the corners.
Caravan jockey wheels are crucial for ensuring stability and safety during travel.Caravan jockey wheels play a vital role in maintaining stability and security on the road.
When buying heavy duty jockey wheels for caravans, look out for the following features.
Rustproof Galvanised or Powder-Coated Finish means the wheel will stay clean and shiny long after outdoor use.
Handle Operation A good handle should be smooth that is, it should not be stiff. When it does not roll easily, it will be a chore to use in the field.
Quick-Release Clamp For fast removal and reattachment of the jockey wheel. Very convenient for when you’re pressed for time.
Load Rating Clearly Marked Always buy from a brands that make the load rating clearly marked. This indicates that the product is tested.
If you’re interested in getting the most from your jockey wheel setup, this is the guide for you.
There is a simple method to select the right one:
Step 1: Weighing your trailer. Determine the actual weight of your camper trailer or caravan.
Step 2: This will give you an idea of what clamp size you will require.
Step 3: Consider “Where will you camp? Soft ground? Go pneumatic. Was it hard ground or semi-rough ground? Solid rubber is acceptable.
Step 4: Establish a budget. Quality heavy-duty jockey wheels are more expensive, but last much longer. This is good to spend a bit more.
There are some mistakes people often make when using jockey wheels.
Some things people do wrong:
Purchasing an undersized wheel. Every time, a small wheel will go down into soft soil. When it comes to off road use always go bigger!
Failure to take account of the load rating. Your trailer is 1000kg and your jockey wheel is rated for just 350kg, it will not pass! Never underestimate the weight of your trailer.
Failure to lubricate moving parts. A jockey wheel is a wheel that contains moving and rubbing metal parts. These do not move without grease. Now and then spray it with lubricant.
Driving at a low speed. It is important to ensure your jockey wheel is raised and locked when towing. If it gets stuck on the road, it’ll be used up shortly.
Why Off-Road Camper Trailer Jockey Wheels Are Different
Standard caravan jockey wheels are built for flat driveways and caravan parks. Off-road ones are built for something much tougher.
Off-road jockey wheels have heavier steel, larger tyres, and stronger clamps. They can handle the vibration and rough movement that comes with bush camping and 4WD tracks.
If you take your camper trailer off the sealed road, please do not use a cheap standard wheel. It will let you down when you least want it to.
Final Thoughts
A jockey wheel might look like a tiny part of your whole setup. But it plays a big role in how easy your camping trips are.
The right camper trailer jockey wheel makes hitching and unhitching smooth and easy. A heavy duty option means you can trust it on rough terrain without worrying about it failing. Take your time to pick the right one. Check the load rating, the wheel type, and the clamp size. A small investment now can save you a lot of trouble out in the bush.