What Is a Jockey Wheel?

Basic function of a jockey wheel

The jockey wheel is a convenient and helpful piece of kit for whoever has to transfer caravans or trailers. It is a small wheel that is supplied with a swivel bracket, which can be easily bolted to the front of a trailer or caravan. It is this excellent piece of kit that serves as a prop and maneuvering tool and makes trailer handling so much easier for users of all experience levels. The primary function of a jockey wheel is to serve as a pivot for trailer movement in the absence of a towing vehicle. By rotating the wheel, the users can steer their trailer in any direction with minimal bodily effort. The wheel carries the weight of the front section of the trailer and transfers it uniformly on the surface of the ground.

Why trailers need jockey wheels

One of the most common applications for the use of the jockey wheel is to park or maneuver a trailer into a small space. With the assistance of the jockey wheel, the user has an easy time maneuvering the trailer to the desired direction by simply turning the wheel. This is very handy when parking in a small garage or narrow driveway. Another common use of the jockey wheel is when hitching up or unhitching a trailer to/from a vehicle. The wheel can be used to lift or drop the trailer hitch to an appropriate height, making easy attachment or release to/from the vehicle possible. Having the capability to change height makes it immaterial to use multiple people to raise heavy trailer tongues by hand. The jockey wheel is also beneficial if a caravan or trailer is to be parked for an extended duration. Suspending the front of the trailer above the ground using the wheel helps in preserving flat spots on the tires and guards against trailer suspension damage.

Key Features Inside a Jockey Wheel

Materials for the outer tire and wheel

The wheel assembly on the outside is the exposed component that touches the ground during running conditions. اذهب مقطورة manufactures jockey wheels with various wheel sizes to suit various applications. Rubber-clad iron wheel, nylon wheel, and beach wheel are the primary options seen across their entire range of products.

Rubber-covered iron wheels provide excellent toughness and traction on most surfaces, best for general purposes. Nylon wheels are designed for light-duty construction with superior chemical resistance, making them best suited for corrosive environments. Beach wheels have broader profiles and special tread patterns for sand and loose surfaces, best for boat trailers subject to marine conditions.

Internal shaft and spindle

The inner shaft is the core of the jockey wheel mechanism, which propagates rotation from the crank handle to the vertical adjustment system. The precision-machined product must support high loads and yet remain smooth in operation. Tube diameter  51mm is a common specification for GO Trailer’s regular jockey wheels, intended to provide maximum strength-to-weight ratio. The spindle connects the wheel assembly with the main shaft, allowing the wheel to operate freely with the load of the trailer. High-quality steel construction is employed to ensure long-term reliability even under severe loads and adverse environmental conditions.

Bearings and their function

Bearing is a significant factor in the performance of the jockey wheel, facilitating smooth rotation and minimal friction within the system. The high-precision bearing components ensure that the wheel rotates freely while it sustains radial and axial loads. Good quality bearings have a major impact on the overall lifetime and smooth operation of the jockey wheel assembly. GO Trailer selects bearings based on load requirements and conditions. Sealed bearings are resistant to dirt, sand, and water contamination, and they increase service life and reduce maintenance requirements. Consistent bearing lubrication ensures smooth function over temperature cycles and usage.

Crank handle and gear mechanism

The crank handle and the gear mechanism make up the user interface to operate jockey wheels. Side winding and top winding are the two significant configurations offered by GO Trailer, both for specific user styles and application conditions. Side winding handles provide ergonomic gripping within confined spaces, while top winding configurations provide improved access in certain trailer designs. The gear system maximizes user force input so that heavy trailer loads can be easily elevated with minimal physical effort.

How GO Trailer Designs Its Jockey Wheels

Materials used by GO Trailer

Steel is the material of choice in GO Trailer’s jockey wheel design, selected for its greater strength and durability characteristics. We have extensive experience in materials science ensures optimum steel selection for every application. The highest strength is achieved from high-carbon steel for load-carrying parts, and special alloys ensure higher corrosion resistance for marine environments.

Engineering for durability and strength

We have senior engineers, senior welders, experienced workers, and a series of highly automatic production workshops such as CNC machines, drilling machines, sawing machines, milling machines, hobbing machines, punching machines, laser cutting machines, and so on. This total manufacturing capability supports accurate tolerance and consistent quality for all the jockey wheel components. Advanced engineering ensures each unit meets or exceeds recommended load ratings without compromising compactness and light weight.

Smooth running and easy handling

GO Trailer’s design philosophy is based on the user experience of smooth running and easy handling. Careful machining eliminates binding and ratchety spots throughout the adjustment travel, with careful component selection to ensure consistent performance over a variety of load conditions. The result is a smooth-running jockey wheel from initial mounting through to years of operation.

Fixed vs. swivel jockey wheels

GO Trailer offers fixed and swivel jockey wheel configurations to meet various application requirements. Lateral movement capability with vertical adjustment capability is offered with the side sway jockey wheel. Max Payload includes 1200lbs/1500lbs/2000lbs specification accommodates trailer size and weight requirements from small to large. Swivel designs like the electric trailer jockey wheel with swivel bracket offer ultimate maneuverability for complex parking maneuvers. Fixed designs give uncomplicated operation and greater dependability for uncomplicated applications where lateral travel is not required.

Manual or automated operation

Traditional manual operation remains popular for reliability and economy. The higher quality wind jockey wheel depicts this design with Max Payload includes 1200lbs/1500lbs/2000lbs capacity styles and proven mechanical dependability.

For easy convenience, GO Trailer offers the electric trailer jockey wheel with swivel bracket. Motor is 12V/550W and Speed is 6-7M/min specifications. This revolutionary system has a simple operation at the touch of a button, most applicable to applications with heavy use or mobility-impaired individuals.

Long-term usage maintenance tips

Lubrication tips

Regular cleaning prevents the dirt and debris from accumulating and inhibiting the functioning of the jockey wheel. Remove sand, salt, and other material after each use, particularly for beach activities. Lubricate moving parts with marine-grade lubricants as recommended by manufacturers, focusing on bearing points and threaded adjustment mechanisms. Galvanized provides protection from corrosion, but maintenance ensures that the protective coating remains intact. Inspect the finish regularly and make necessary repairs to chips or scratches prior to rust development.

Wear and tear inspection

Inspect bearing play and the adjustment mechanism’s smoothness during normal use. Excessive looseness or binding indicates potential wear on parts that must be corrected. Inspect wheel condition for flat spots, cracking, or abnormal wear patterns that may affect performance or safety. 10 inches is the standard adjustment range for GO Trailer jockey wheels. Inspect full travel capability during inspection to ensure proper performance over the entire working range.

When to replace parts

Replace bearings as excessive play or abnormal noise becomes noticeable during operation. Wheel replacement is necessary when wear in the tread is impacting traction or when cracks are visible in the wheel frame. Inspect load ratings and replace parts if trailer weight surpasses original specifications.

The Right GO Trailer Jockey Wheel Choice

Wheel size to match trailer weight

Accurate jockey wheel selection begins with accurate trailer weight measurement. The dual wheel trailer jack with bracket offers a Load capacity of 2000 lbs through increased stability through its dual-wheel operation. Lighter loads are met by the European-style jockey wheel offering Max Payload is 300lbs in a compact design.

Heavy-duty is met by the swivel trailer jack lifting stand with base, offering Static load capacity is 12000lbs and Dynamic load capacity is 10000lbs capacities for maximum versatility.

According to terrain and usage frequency

Beach applications require sand surface wheels, while the general road and parking lot surfaces are addressed by general-purpose rubber wheels. The jockey wheel with brake is able to enhance safety on inclines. We are committed to serving customers warmly, in a friendly and prompt manner, but never at the sacrifice of our commitment to safety, quality, and ethical business practices. This commitment helps ensure GO Trailer jockey wheels deliver reliable performance in a broad spectrum of operating environments and usage patterns.

FAQ

Q: What load capacity should I choose for my trailer?

A: Balance the jockey wheel capacity to your trailer’s tongue weight, usually 10-15% gross trailer weight. GO Trailer offers capacities from 300lbs to 12,000lbs.

Q: How often do I need to lubricate my jockey wheel?

A: Grease bearings and moving parts every 6 months or after marine/beach use. More frequent lubrication may be required in harsh environments.

Q: Can I change from manual to electric operation?

A: Yes, GO Trailer modular designs typically provide upgrading potential. The electric trailer jockey wheel with swivel bracket offers retrofitting potential for existing installations.

Q: What is the difference between side and top winding handles?

A: Side winding handles are more ideal for confined areas, while top winding allows for better access for taller individuals or specific trailer configurations.