Unicorn 2 Jockey Wheel

[PaulT]

Ever since I bought my Unicorn 2 Cartegena the jockey wheel has given trouble. No matter how much I tighten the clamp, the shaft wil eventually slide through the clamp, usually when I change direction with the mover. The whole front of the caravan then crashes down and I have to use the steadys to get it lifted up again - (note I don't lift it on the steadys just support it, refix the jockey, wind it up, lower the steadys etc) As can be seen from the picture (hopefully it's attached) I've even bent the clamp through overtightening. Could I ask any fellow U2 owners to have a look at their jockey wheel clamp and tell me if the two "ears" on the clamp should be inside the part of the bracket that is fixed to the frame or whether they should slide over the top?

http://s1341.photobucket.com/user/PaulT1801/media/DSCF0224s_zpsnauhtals.jpg.html?sort=3&o=0

 

[Trevormc]

I can see why you are having problems.

The ears of the clamp should be on the outside. The way it is at the moment i would say its scrap all distorted and no way of returning it to work properley.

I would take it off and go and buy a new one, then it should work as intended.

Trevor

 

[Sproket]

By over tightening it, it has become distorted thus now not being the same diameter now as the jockey wheel support tube, a new clamp should sort it out daft as it may look but the clamping surface area is really minimal but effective, but once distorted a new one is required, normally the pinch bolt snaps due to too much brute force...

You can see how distorted yours has become hmy:

 

[PaulT]

Bit confused here! Trevormc says the ears should be on the outside but the picture that Sproket has published shows the ears on the inside! Or are they both saying the same thing in different ways?

Also, on mine, the main part of the clamp is welded to the chassis - can I buy just the half that moves?

 

[Sproket]

I would say the ears go on the inside, due to yours being so distorted it has flared out where the pinch bolt has made contact and that makes it look like it's larger than the fixed part of the clamp...

Hmm ! you should be able to remove the pin, but if it's riveted it will require one end to be ground off to allow it to be removed.....

 

[PaulT]

Hmm ! you should be able to remove the pin, but if it's riveted it will require one end to be ground off to allow it to be removed.....

The other end to the pinch bolt has a nut and a bolt so I can get the clamp apart but....can I just buy the half that is distorted?

 

[Sproket]

I don't think so unless its a specific Bailey part ..

 

[PaulT]

I don't think so unless its a specific Bailey part ..

That's it - must be a popular part to fail!

Thanks Sprocket.

 

[Trevormc]

Sorry about that, it was the picture that put me off.

Trevor

 

[Gafferbill]

.........jockey wheels on caravans and their clamps are not designed to cope with the forces that can be present when a motor mover is used. (......they should be given the number of owners who now after fit movers)

Looks to me that at sometime the jockey wheel has become caught when the caravan is pivoting during a manoeuvre and bent the clamp.

 

[Jaydug]

The two horizontal bars should be straight and they should go inside the clamp. If it were mine I would buy Ebay item number 121599347105 which is an Alko jockey wheel clamp. You can't use the complete clamp since yours is probably welded to the A-frame so I would remove the hinge from both and swop the new with the old. It may be necessary to use a new hinge pin but a galvanized bolt of suitable size would work.