Jockey wheel buying guide

A jockey wheel is a height-adjustable telescopic device designed to be bolted or welded onto the A frame of a trailer. These devices feature one or two swivel wheels which are used to make the trailer easier to manoeuvre while decoupled and a screw jack which can be used adjust the height of the trailer even while loaded. A jockey wheel is so-called as it is designed to 'jockey' or guide the movement of trailers.

An essential accessory for any trailer, a jockey wheel allows you position your trailer so it can be lifted and lowered onto a tow bar with ease. Most jockey wheels can then be stowed away securely while the vehicle is moving.

A jockey wheel or jockey pulley is made up of:

• a U bracket or clamp which is bolted onto a mounting plate. This plate can be welded or bolted onto the A frame of the trailer. This bracket is also used to stow the jockey wheel with the help of a clamp handle.

• a painted or galvanised tube or square shaft which contains a threaded rod. This part works as a screw jack to raise and lower the trailer;

• a permanent crank handle at the top of the wheel which is used to control the screw jack;

• a bracket at the base of the tube which holds the wheel and allows it to turn 360°.

Jockey wheels are often held by captive fasteners which says a lot about the kind of care required to use this accessory.

Whether your jockey wheel is designed to tow a utility trailer, a flatbed trailer, a boat trailer, a caravan or even a van, it must absolutely be suitable for the type of loads of you want to tow.

Generally speaking, a jockey wheel is recommended as soon as the dynamic load capacity exceeds 50 kg. Most trailer manufacturers will supply a basic jockey wheel, but this type of device won't always provide the kind of user comfort most are looking for.

Luckily, you will usually be able to purchase a slightly more sophisticated jockey wheel for a really affordable price. An upgraded model will provide more precise and tailored movements for easier manoeuvring and less handling effort.

The larger the wheel diameter, the less effort is required to tow the trailer. There are a few different types of jockey wheel:

• lightweight telescopic jockey wheels feature a solid wheel with a plastic or steel wheel rim and a nose capacity of up to 75 kg;

• pneumatic jockey wheels;

• puncture-proof jockey wheels for caravans;

• two wheel jockey wheels with a load capacity of up to 200 kg;

• automatic jockey wheels with a load capacity of up to 350 kg;

• semi-automatic jockey wheels with spring locking for professional use.

Towing a caravan, van or boat trailer on the road should be relatively straightforward, but the job does get trickier if you are towing heavy loads in tight spots that don't allow a lot of room for manoeuvre. That's where motorised jockey wheels come in!

These jockey wheels feature a compact 12 V 350 W electric motor to help you park bulky trailers. Automatic braking, forward and backward functions... these wheels have it all including a control handle so you can manoeuvre your trailer while barely lifting a finger!

Your car engine must be switched off and the handbrake engaged.

To start, the trailer is attached to the tow bar and the jockey wheel is stowed. Proceed in 4 steps.

1. Pull out the clamp handle and allow the wheel to come down to ground level.

2. Lock the wheel in place.

3. Crank the handle of the jockey wheel until the trailer separates from the vehicle.

4. Move the trailer to park or store.

In order to pick the right jockey wheel, you need to:

• ensure that the tube of the new jockey wheel is the same diameter as your existing clamp. Otherwise, you can buy a clamp that fits and adapt it to your A frame;

• check the load capacity of the A frame; this will usually be noted in your trailer manual;

• if you choose a pneumatic wheel, ensure you have a pump or air compressor, and some puncture repair spray. It's also a good idea to have a spare inner tube.

Once you've done all that, you can set about finding the perfect jockey wheel to match the level of comfort you're after.