Electric Cables andJockey Wheels

[Jimbob1]

Hi Everyone,

Whilst on holiday in the New Forest we noticed that alot of caravan owners hadn,t got there electricity cables stretched out they were curled up in heaps,as I understand it this is a dangerous practice as cable curled up generates heat,am I right or have I got it wrong please?Also we saw several people with there jockey wheels up(off the ground)surely the jockey wheel should be down to take a certain amount of pressure off the levelling stays.I believe this magazine(PC)has had in the past articles relating the electric cables and the jockey wheels.Your views please.Jim

 

[MarcR]

It is a very stupid practice, I have seen a 110v extension cable at work melt and nearly cause a fire due to the cable still been left on the coil. I always ensure the cable is fully uncoiled and not left all heaped up.

At the weekend I noticed a caravan with the jockey wheel up, I thought the steadies where just as there name said steadies, surely this could distort the chassis.

 

[popupJohn]

ALWAYS lay the cable out even if it means going round a couple of trees.

If you leave it curled up you have a heavy duty electric fire element that could eventually melt all the insulation together and the 'BANG' no more cable.

Ive not considered the jockey wheel tho so cant comment

 

[Damian]

Jim, to answer your points, firstly, Electric cables,,they can cause problems overheating , or even melting if used whilst still wound tightly on a drum or cable reel, however, if they are laid loosely in large loops on the ground, it is unlikely they will overheat as the ground absorbs any heat from them.

secondly,the Jockey wheel is part of the main leveling system, and should be in the down position for exactly the reason you say, to ensure that the steadies are used ONLY as steadies, they are NOT full load bearing items.

 

[WatsonJohnG]

This comes up over and over again

I don't think that it matters.

At shows caravans often have the jockey wheel removed .

I went round one campsite and counted --it was about 50

50 up or down.

 

[WatsonJohnG]

Jim, to answer your points, firstly, Electric cables,,they can cause problems overheating , or even melting if used whilst still wound tightly on a drum or cable reel, however, if they are laid loosely in large loops on the ground, it is unlikely they will overheat as the ground absorbs any heat from them.

secondly,the Jockey wheel is part of the main leveling system, and should be in the down position for exactly the reason you say, to ensure that the steadies are used ONLY as steadies, they are NOT full load bearing items.

But the wheels are and they take most of the weight

 

[rayc]

Jim, my view is that if a caravan chassis can be damaged by a few people walking in the van with the jockey wheel raised then there is no way it will survive the stresses and strains of being towed.

As far as electric cables go then if they are wound tight on a drum and you draw lots of current then there may be overheating. This is compensated for by the cable being outside. Having said that I unwind mine completely and lay it neatly but that it just my way.

 

[Jimbob1]

Thanks everyone for the comments and the re-assurance.Jim

 

[Allyson]

We take our jockey wheel out, to accomodate the rotary line.

 

[trucker]

It dosent really matter re the jockey wheel, afer all you havnt got a jockey wheel at the back of the van have you? We sleep at the back of the van on the fixed bed, Will this distort the chassis, I think not!