Alko Jockey Wheel Loosening
Whilst towing home from the borders recently, we were alerted to the fact our jockey wheel was loosening by a passing motorist despite ensuring it was tight before leaving. As we are returning to caravanning after a number of years away, I was just wondering if it has to be extremely tight or has it to be checked every hundred miles during a journey.
Thanks in anticipation.
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We never had a problem, although I am always getting moaned at by OH for over tightening taps, bottles etc. However, I was always careful to make sure there could be no vibration, by fully tightening into the slot and ensuring it was not possible for the wheel to move. I always checked it on any loo stops.
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Thanks StevenL I thought i had tightened it sufficiently, maybe not. All the best.
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which bit? the clamp on/on the A frame or the handle for winding it up & down? Is the jockey being raised up into the 2 slots in the outer tube?
I've never had a problem but I just give the end of the clamp bar or the handle a bit of a thump with the heel of my hand .... no need to swing off either of them.
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As EmilysDad says, you don't say which part came loose, but i've had problems with both.
The winding part came loose on the motorway once as a result of the tyre being caught in the airflow. At that time I had a pneumatic tyre that had deflated, and this caused an oscilation that made the jockey unwind itself. I reckon this would also happen if the wheel is free to rotate, especially if its quite big. I now tend to use a bungee to hold the jockey in place, and always ensure that the wheel itself is hard against the A frame.
Last year we arrived at Willingcott, and the clamp sprang open as I was about to unhitch, and the handle dropped off. I reversed onto the pitch and had to use the wheel jack to support the A frame while I levelled.
The handle itself had sheared, and that was my fault. I was in the habit of kicking the jockey wheel into position if it jammed under the A frame whilst levelling or hitching up. This caused the handle to slowly bend and eventually break, but I had noticed that I couldnt tighten it fully on the previous couple of sites.
This also meant that a piece or the thread was stuck in the A frame, but luckily I was able to get this out.
Luckily, there was a dealer just down the road, so I bought two new handles..one for a spare. Also, I'm no longer lazy when hitching up, and pay more attention to the position of the wheel.
I think in your case, I would just take the handle out when pitched with the legs down, and inspect it. If its looking worse for wear, get a new one.In fact, get a new one anyway just in case. Mine cost £12 each
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