Replacement Jockey Wheel

PhilMaxwell
PhilMaxwell Forum Participant Posts: 14
edited March 2016 in Parts & Accessories #1

Some advice please...

My Caravan was supplied with a pneumatic tyre on the jockey wheel but it's old and cracked and looses alot of air overnight.  I don't think it's tubed.  It's also quite a large diameter and when fully retracted it's still very close to the ground.

Going on the assumption that it's time for a new tyre. 

Been reading up on the red plastic hub Maypole ones (which fit) but they aren't getting good reviews.  Splitting, exploding, imploding, cracking etc are all words I don't like to read in a review.

Can anyone recommend a make/brand or even a wide tread solid rubber tyre that I can replace my old one with...?

Comments

  • Trini
    Trini Forum Participant Posts: 429
    edited March 2016 #2

    We bought an ALCO wheel atfer trying a plastic hub type.

    The Also is far better and unlike the cheaper which is 30psi, it runs at 50psi and after 2 years no visible deterioration etc when using the mover.

    Still carry the cheaper alternative as back-up.

  • IanH
    IanH Forum Participant Posts: 4,708
    1000 Comments
    edited March 2016 #3

    Completely agree, Trini.

    Our caravan came with an Alko jockey wheel. After about 5 or 6 years it gave up the ghost. Tried all sorts of cheap replacements and none lasted very long.

    Eventually bought another Alko one and, as you say, it takes a higher pressure and is generally more robust. Lasted about 2 years so far and stays inflated.

    It does have an inner tube.

  • Navigateur
    Navigateur Club Member Posts: 3,880 ✭✭✭✭✭
    1000 Comments
    edited March 2016 #4

    I looked at a device at the Scottish Caravan Show and am going to get one when the Easter binge is paid for.  It consists of a new, longer axle for the jockey wheel, and two new wheels to fit one each side. Spreads the load and allows the wheels to contra-rotate
    when direction changes.  The original wheel can be discarded, or kept for support.

  • JohnS4752
    JohnS4752 Forum Participant Posts: 10
    edited April 2016 #5

    Does anybody mind if I join this discussion and ask for some help? I have a twin axle caravan which has the standard plastic jockey wheel fitted. I use a secure srorage site which has rough scalping type material underfoot and often use gravel type hard
    standings on caravan sites. I use an all wheel motor mover in all cases. Add to that the fact that I have just had my drive resurfaced and I am thinking it is time to get rid of the hard plastic jockey wheel in favour of more gentle rubber. My outfit has an
    AL-KO chassis and I am tossing up between buying an AL-KO Plus replacement with pneumatic tyre or an AL-KO Premium with slightly wider, solid rubber tyre. The latter also has a little bit of sprung suspension which, it is said, makes it easy for uneven surfaces
    and is also advertised as good for use with movers. I worry a pneumatic tyre will  not stand the test of rough surfaces but I know both will be less rough on the drive's surface. Can anybody help me by sharing their knowledge and experiences please?

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
    1000 Comments
    edited April 2016 #6

    We have the alko premium jockey wheel on our single axle and the "springing" is actually the nose weight gauge and the wider wheel does not tend to "bury"into gravel 

  • IanH
    IanH Forum Participant Posts: 4,708
    1000 Comments
    edited April 2016 #7

    I looked at a device at the Scottish Caravan Show and am going to get one when the Easter binge is paid for.  It consists of a new, longer axle for the jockey wheel, and two new wheels to fit one each side. Spreads the load and allows the wheels to contra-rotate
    when direction changes.  The original wheel can be discarded, or kept for support.

    We bought an adapter that converted the exisisting jockey wheel into two wheels - it fitted on the existing set up and was removable, so you only had to fit it when needed.

    Trouble is, it didn't work.

    When using the mover, the turning action is such that the front end of the caravan swings in an arc, pivoting on the axle - unlike a car, for example that goes in a snooth curve. The two wheels couldn't align themselves in the direction of travel in the
    same way that the single wheel does and so they just dragged sideways.

    I got a refund.

Categories