Jockey Wheel .......Again.

[Les4art]

For years I have smiled at beginners who constantly ask the same old question:- Should the Jockey Wheel be down or up when dwelling in the caravan?

Each time I could be seen screaming at the question with the answer as I was always told it:- The rear corner steadies are an extention of the caravan chassis and are quite strong. But, the front steadies are only bolted onto the caravan floor and so should not be left to support the whole of the front end of the caravan without the aid of the jockey wheel.

My problem now has turned that bit of knowledge on its head, as we have this year up-graded our caravan to a new Compass model. Now Explorer Group have developed a rather natty 'nose-weight' system on the jockey wheels of all their new 2007 caravans.

Question: when parked on site do you lift the jockey wheel up so as to relax the spring tension of the 'nose-weigher' thus putting all the weight onto the front two stabilisers, or, do we risk weakening the nose-weight weighing spring by keeping the jockey wheel down?? Help Please.!!

 

[Danny_5134221]

Les,

I personaly leave my jockey wheel down on site, but why dont you swap your jockey wheel for a cheaper one when on site and have peace of mind that you are not damaging the gauge, or place an axle stand under the chassis to take the load.

 

[Rubix]

I expect to be lynched for saying this but :

What is the harm in leaving it down anyway, it takes a few seconds and more support is surely better than less.

It's like saying I'll only inflate three tyres on my car !! Surely that is what the jockey wheel is there for.

And, and this is what clinches it for me, rather than establish if your 'Van has it's front steadies mounted to the chassis or floor, just put it down and then you won't get it wrong.

Ok, soap box is available for the next user, I await the wet sponges or rotten tomatoes.

 

[Rodone]

.......plus, if those built in noseweight guages are as innacurate as the one that I tried, it will make little difference whatever you do to the spring!!!