Jockey Wheel Collapse while driving

[Sporneyman]

I have read a few other notes regarding this problem, with some replies on how to mitigate it or resolve it. I had an unfortunate experience just before Christmas 2025, when I had just collected our new caravan (an ex-demo 2023 model) and on a dual carriageway heard a knocking, so I stopped at the earliest opportunity as safely as possible and found that the jockey wheel had dropped right down with the actual wheel virtually torn to shreds. The sleeve had not unwound as the slot in the tube was still located in the correct position on the wheel arm. The dealer had tightened the locking lever before I left and I again checked it to be tight. I am therefore somewhat perplexed as to how this could have happened and it has made me feel uneasy about future towing.

I have read various articles about dropping jockey wheels and have noted the check recommended about locking the sleeve a few inches above the ground, in order that it can centralise itself easier, rather that locking it when it has pressure on it when it is on the ground. Taking this into account, when the hitch is coupled to the car the jockey wheel is then lifted up, so it should centralise itself (as it is off the ground with no pressure on it). I am therefore wondering if anyone knows of a failsafe solution to this problem. I have been caravanning for 5 years now and travelled extensively throughout the UK, without this problem occurring so any help or advice would be most welcome.

 

[borderbilly]

I had that on my ifor williams trailer, jockey wheel dropped and ruined, new one put on and had no problems ever since. I put it down to pilot error.

 

[JTQ]

Solutions noted over the years, though one problen I have not faced myself:

1) Tension the winding handle in the tightening direction with a bungie cord?
2) Remove the Jockey wheel?

 

[CaravanRamblings]

After a jockey wheel drop on a Spanish motorway we now lock a T Bolt hose clamp around the shaft so it can't drop if the locking mechanism fails.

The shredded jockey wheel of hot rubber made a heck of a mess.

Amazon.co.uk

 

[JTQ]

After a jockey wheel drop on a Spanish motorway we now lock a T Bolt hose clamp around the shaft so it can't drop if the locking mechanism fails.

The shredded jockey wheel of hot rubber made a heck of a mess.

However, this will not stop the self unscrewing of the jockey wheel's jacking leadscrew, with the same road impact risks.

It's that unscrewing, with its associated handle rotation, I have seen happen, rather than the whole assembly come undone, but accept that is a further risk that you solution nails.

 

[CaravanRamblings]

However, this will not stop the self unscrewing of the jockey wheel's jacking leadscrew, with the same road impact risks.

It's that unscrewing, with its associated handle rotation, I have seen happen, rather than the whole assembly come undone, but accept that is a further risk that you solution nails.

Our failure was the clamp so it addresses that.

Never had the handle turning. It locks the wheel very firmly in the two side slots. Without locking it in the side slots the wheel can easily rotate and unwind though...