Still need more help

[andysworkshop]

Still need more help please with Jockey wheel, I have added picture of what is on caravan trailer A frame, Still not sure what one we need...
Cheers

 

[Damian]

Have a look at this:

http://www.thomson-caravans.co.uk/advice/maintenance/pdf/bbhandbookchassis72-83.pdf

 

[Raywood]

The chassis is one made by B&B who were bought out by ALKO and basically shut down many years ago. If the chassis still has the original hitch it will be an imperial sized one, I cannot remember the exact size they were. The importance of that is that you do need a matching towball to tow if possible, as the hitch will be slightly larger than current ones. The current metric towballs do fit, but the correct size is needed, as if the hitch gets very worn it can result in the trailer coming adrift, and the age of the chassis would suggest this is possible. Probably better to replace the hitch in practice.
I have dealt with a case where this has happened with a trailer carrying a boat.
If you need a new jockey wheel, it is possibly best to take it off and visit dealers who might have one. I suspect boat accessory dealers might be a better bet as they will be more used to this, as boat trailers tend to stay in use longer.

 

[Dustydog]

From memory my old Castleton Rovanna had a B&B chassis fitted with a 2” hitch coupling. It is NOT compatible with the current 50mm tow ball.

 

[Hutch]

From memory my old Castleton Rovanna had a B&B chassis fitted with a 2” hitch coupling. It is NOT compatible with the current 50mm tow ball.

And you say your short term memory is not good 😛

 

[Raywood]

This is true to a certain extent. I did point this out in that the old type hitch will be slightly larger than the modern ones. This will normally work, but wear on the hitch might just reach the point where the trailer comes off the towball, so the correct towball is essential, although personally given the age of the hitch I think replacing that might be the safer option.
I have come accross one accident due to this but I would suspect there have been others.

 

[ProfJohnL]

Using an incompatible hitch to tow a trailer I am certain would be deemed unsafe.

Don't even risk it. Either get a compatible tow ball or replace the caravan hitch for a more modern 50mm Bal. You may need to get specialist engineering help to make sure a new hitch will correctly operate the over run brakes.

 

[emmerson]

Andy, the two different towballs are easy to tell apart. The modern 50mm has a flat top with "50mm" stamped on the flat. The old 2inch one is round on the top. Just because it is a B&B Sigma does not necessarily mean it is two inch. Royale caravans all have B&B, from 1970 onwards, and all have 50mm hitches.