Removing Jockey Wheels

[sarah647]

I'm a novice to all this, but I was under the impression the jockey wheel is used to level the caravan when on site. The stabilsers are there just to stabilise it.

However, I've been on three sites now where people have removed the jockey wheel completely. Are you supposed to do this or is it required to level the caravan?

Thanks

 

[Jaydug]

This topic frequently comes up on forums. Some leave the jockeywheel down; others raise it. Can't see any reason for removing it all together - unless for security reasons.

Personally, after levelling the van fore and aft by using the jockeywheel, I lower the steadies and leave the jockey wheel down.

I also travel with the JW raised but left attached to the van. Some guys like to stow it in the boot.

 

[MichaelE]

Most run through the A frame now so much more difficult to remove without getting covered in grease.

See no valid reason for removing it unless you put a pole in the hole for clothes dryer etc.

 

[vauxhall2]

steadies are just that steadies,not designed to carry the full weight of the front of the caravan.just a few things ie. spare wheel 20 kgs,calorlite gas bottles x 2 20 kgs.add all the other bits.add 4 persons eating tea at the front table and you are asking the steadies to do a lot of work.all this is pressing onto a thin plywood floor.this is why i leave my jockey wheel down.

 

[vauxhall2]

gas bottles are 20 kgs each.

 

[Lutz]

The steadies must be capable of carrying the noseweight of the caravan without necessarily having to distribute this load on the jockey wheel. They must also be able to take the load of the occupants of the caravan moving around inside and their weight can be well in excess of the noseweight, especially when everybody is inside at one end.

 

[vauxhall2]

its a matter of opinion i suppose.the steadies are possibly able to take a greater weight than we know about.the rear ones of ours are fixed to the chassis which is fine,the front ones are bolted directly onto the ply floor and the extra weight could damage the floor.nothing can be gained by lifting the jockey wheel.

 

[Guest]

I think you seem to be forgetting the most important part of weight distribution on a caravan Michael,and that is that most of the caravans weight is through the axle and therefore through the wheels, is the major weight factor.

So there is no need to use the jockey wheel for support, that's not its function, although 7 contact points maybe better then 6.

I would also suspect that on a modern van the corner steadies can support more than a jockey wheel, after all the jockey wheel is held in place by a single hand tightened clamp.

 

[vauxhall2]

I think you seem to be forgetting the most important part of weight distribution on a caravan Michael,and that is that most of the caravans weight is through the axle and therefore through the wheels, is the major weight factor.

this has nothing to do with stabiliser pushing up onto the thin ply of the floor when a great weight is put upon it at the front corners and when there is nothing else to hold it up and for this reason i support the front of the caravan with the jockey wheel and always will until they change the name from steady to support.just my opinion.

 

[Guest]

Sorry Michael, I was replying to this.

1 "steadies are just that steadies,not designed to carry the full weight of the front of the caravan.just a few things ie. spare wheel 20 kgs,calorlite gas bottles x 2 20 kgs.add all the other bits.add 4 persons eating tea at the front table and you are asking the steadies to do a lot of work.all this is pressing onto a thin plywood floor.this is why i leave my jockey wheel down."

Which indecently IS the full weight of the front of the caravan, therefore the steadies are quite capable of taking the"full weight of the front of the caravan",because as I said in my reply "almost all of the vans weight is over the axle! so the corner steadies support and spread very little of the caravans weight. of course if you over do it then I suppose in your case damage to the ply could happen, but damage could also occur because the steadies are not sufficiently down and taking weight/flex to.

 

[vauxhall2]

of course if you over do it then I suppose in your case damage to the ply could happen, but damage could also occur because the steadies are not sufficiently down and taking weight/flex to.

the things i quoted in the front locker are the normal things a caravan carries.i also load my van to the book and only a fool would overload.the steadies are set correctly and checked every two days.so jockey wheel down then i have no worries.