my jockey wheel has unscrewed and fallen to the gound

[raystimpson]

Empty post (likely not intentional - probably an Internet Explorer issue!)

 

[Parksy]

Hi Ray, it looks as though you've fallen foul of the Internet Explorer failure to update problem but not to worry, Click Here for easy to follow instructions on how to remedy this.

 

[Arryvanpulla]

Don't have any message Ray,.but as I see it you have unscrewed too far when lowering the jockey wheel.If you slacken the clamp which is situated at towbar height enough to raise the outer tube of the jockey wheel assembly then clamp it tight again using the locking clamp.Now just push the bit that has fallen out back into the tube,keep pushing it up and at the same time turn the top handle clockwise ( looking down) it should then reconnect ,it's only a screw thread .

 

[Parksy]

You might need somebody to help you to lift the hitch and A frame high enough for you to get the jockey wheel thread engaged in the receiving tube.

 

[Surfer]

Unfortunately we do not know the exact nature of the OP's experience. Last year prior to setting off for Stowford Meadows, we had a new jockey wheel fitted with a pneumatic tyre. We set off with the jockey wheel wound up and reach Barnstaple without incidence. On the last leg it is a very bumpy road for a few miles.
Unfortuantely the jockey wheel unwound itself and was banging on the ground eventually bursting a brand new tyre. We only noticed this on stopping at the reception. A check on other forums indicates that this is a fairly common occurence with the jockey wheel unwinding itself. Now befroe we depart, we really ram the handle across to prevent it coming loose again.

 

[colin-yorkshire1]

Unfortuantely the jockey wheel unwound itself and was banging on the ground eventually bursting a brand new tyre. We only noticed this on stopping at the reception. A check on other forums indicates that this is a fairly common occurence with the jockey wheel unwinding itself. Now befroe we depart, we really ram the handle across to prevent it coming loose again.

this used to occur quite regulary on older vans when the screw became slack, the solution in those days was to attach a bungee clip around the handle and then onto the gas bottle, something similar would probably still work, of course now the gas is inside the front locker you would have to find a alternative attachment point.

 

[Dustydog]

Don't forget to use a jack to support the hitch or screw down the front steadies before releasing the jockey wheel clamp.

 

[RodOne1]

The wheel could have got to ground level for two reasons. Either the clamp came loose and the entire jockey wheel assembly slid down, or the wheel and the inner shaft rotated and unwound itself. When you wind up the wheel, you will see that there is a cut out on either side of the outer sleeve. You should locate the arms that hold the wheel within these cutouts, and then providing you have tightly clamped the outer unit and wound the wheel in tightly, the jockey wheel is locked and cannot unwind itself.

 

[Dustydog]

The wheel could have got to ground level for two reasons. Either the clamp came loose and the entire jockey wheel assembly slid down, or the wheel and the inner shaft rotated and unwound itself. When you wind up the wheel, you will see that there is a cut out on either side of the outer sleeve. You should locate the arms that hold the wheel within these cutouts, and then providing you have tightly clamped the outer unit and wound the wheel in tightly, the jockey wheel is locked and cannot unwind itself.

I don't quite follow the last part.

Usually the lower section with the jockey wheel can't turn because it's "locked" within or outside the chassis.

The ones I've heard come undone involve the handle itself unwinding.

 

[RodOne1]

Hello Dustydog, I think that, in most cases to get the wheel high enough to be up inside the A frame, or flat against the chassis, the wheel must be up inside the cutouts that I mentioned, and once in this position an be considered locked in. I had a jockey wheel slip out of the holding clamp once, and suddenly heard a high pitched whine from the rear of the car, which was the inflatable tyre zipping along at about 60 mph! Since then I have always double checked that I have done up the clamp tightly. Beware good intentioned helpers when hitching up !!! Another time I was on a dual carriageway with another outfit in front and we could see that his jockey wheel had dropped onto the road. When safe to do so I flagged him down and found the jockey wheel all intact, but slightly bent. The windinghandle was ( I think) slightly loose ,, but the driver admitted he knew nothing about the slot cut outs and had just wound up the wheel to where he thought was "ok", and so with vibration and wind pressure we assumed the wheel had been turning around and lowered itself. I would have thought that if the jockey wheel is lowered by any other means than the handle it would have the effect of leaving the handle loose?

 

[Gafferbill]

......I do not like jockey wheels that cannot be completely removed from the caravan.
Mine always travels in the boot of my car when I am towing.

 

[ProfJohnL]

this used to occur quite regulary on older vans when the screw became slack, the solution in those days was to attach a bungee clip around the handle and then onto the gas bottle, something similar would probably still work, of course now the gas is inside the front locker you would have to find a alternative attachment point.

The grab handle perhaps