Towbar, Caravan & Trailer Spares & Accessories

Jockey Wheels

Most jockey wheels on caravans & trailers end their life by being accidentally left down or too low to the ground when driving off, they may last a few miles but that's about it! So when the final checks are done before towing it's worth just double-checking that the Jockey wheel is tucked up out of the way and the jockey wheel clamp is tight.

The Kartt premium caravan jockey wheel made especially for caravans is a well-designed product that overcomes many caravan users’ problems, making this Kartt Premium Jockey Wheel an easy choice when looking for a replacement. Kartt has truly created a caravan jockey wheel that is finally, truly fit for purpose.

It's well worth looking at all the Kartt jockey wheels, the gauge of steel used in their construction is higher than most with a stronger winding handle and wheel holder. They also use higher quality steel bearing and nylon wheel bearing. To finish they are all tested to twice their recommended capacity.

Choosing the right jockey wheel

With many different sizes of jockey wheels available, it might seem quite a daunting task to choose the right one.

If you are replacing an existing wheel then the existing clamp size may dictate the jockey wheel required. Then the amount of nose weight and normal terrain would need to be considered. Normally we would say that a lightweight trailer up to 500kg gross with a normally loaded trailer nose load of up to 45kg could use a jockey wheel with a 34mm diameter tube, up to 1000kg trailer with a nose load of 75kg a 42mm diameter tube and over 1000kg with a nose load of over 75kg a 48mm tube.

This is only a guide, so it's best to look at the trailer or caravan jockey wheel specifications to ensure the figures given are in excess of your trailer requirements.

The serrated or ribbed tubes used on heavy duty jockey wheels give a far better grip on the clamp so not only do they take more weight but are less likely to slip. The amount of pressure needed on the clamp handle is usually a lot less as well.

The wheel itself is quite important, if you are likely to use the trailer or caravan on soft ground then a wide rubber tyre or even a pneumatic tyre would be best.  Otherwise, the tyre and size of the wheel fitted on most jockey wheels are designed to take the weight they specify.

Finally, caravanners often worry about the nose weight of their caravans. Excessive nose weight causes strain to the vehicle and leads to the caravan being unstable. Alko offer a jockey wheel caravan with a nose weight indicator to give you peace of mind every time you hitch up your caravan.


Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Jockey Wheel used for?

A Jockey wheel is simply fitted to the front of a trailer or caravan to aid manoeuvring and hitching and unhitching from the towing vehicle. Most jockey wheels are telescopic so the coupling can be hitched and unhitched by simply winding or unwinding the jockey wheel handle.

Why do I need a Jockey Wheel?

A jockey wheel makes moving the trailer and caravan around much easier. It is essential when the nose load is heavy. The jockey wheel is most commonly used to hitch and unhitch from the towing vehicle.

Can I fit a jockey wheel to any trailer or caravan?

Yes, however, the drawbar may need strengthening on lightweight trailers. Usually, on braked trailers, the jockey wheel tube slides through the coupling, otherwise, it is fitted to the drawbar using a clamp.

What are the different sizes of jockey wheel?

There are several jockey wheel tube diameters 34mm, 42mm, 48mm and 60mm. It is important to select the correct diameter if you are replacing an existing jockey wheel as it needs to be the correct size for the clamp hole or the hole in the coupling.

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