Jockey wheels can be an vital, but frequently overlooked component of trailers. Due to their importance selecting the correct size for your trailer is crucial. The function of the jockey wheel is ensure that your trailer stays in a level, steady position when it is not hitched, and to ensure stability while you load your trailer. They can also ease the stress on your back as they help in the maneuverability of the trailer , too.
A smooth or serrated jockey wheel?
This is the first query that you might encounter while choosing a jockey wheel. What exactly is the different? Smooth jockey wheels are the most commonly used and are the most common choice for all light- to heavy duty trailers. One drawback of the smoother ones, however there is the possibility that, in the event that the clamp isn’t secured sufficiently the shaft may slip through the clamp and strike the road in the course of travel. This could result in a severe damage to the tyre , and possibly the need to replace the whole assembly.
Serrated wheels for the jockey is fitted with a an outer sleeve that is ribbed. It is typically the case with commercial wheels that are heavy duty and have dimensions of 48mm or more. The downside is that they need an appropriate clamp to match the ribbing of the outer sleeves. The sleeve’s ribbing can solve the problem of the shaft moving through the clamp.
Which is the retractable wheel?
Retractable Jockey Wheel
The second question you may encounter while searching for a wheel jockey what exactly do you mean by a retractable wheel? What’s the difference between this wheel and one that’s not? A retractable coupling eliminates the requirement for the use of a clamp. Instead, it is bolted straight to the opposite side of the coupling for trailers an adjustable fixing plate with multiple holes (typically with a square tube coupling or t-pole).
What are the different sizes of a house?
This is the next thing to think about. There are two dimensions to consider. The primary dimension is the size of the jockey’s wheels. We stock six different diameters. There are 35mm and 42mm 48mm, 48mm with serrated 60mm and 63mm.
Therefore, for lighter weight trailers, 35mm size would be the ideal size.
For larger trailers as well as certain trailers for boats that are not braked You will require 42mm.
Trailers for caravans and commercial use will need a minimum of 48mm
Heavy duty commercial trailers usually require a serrated 48mm, 60or 63mm diameter.
The diameters of 60 and 63mm are the most common sizes and can be able to support up to 750kg of nose-weight capacity. The width is crucial when picking jockey wheels where the clamp is a part of the moulding of the entire coupling and isn’t able to be altered.
The other dimension to consider is the closed and open height. It is only available on adjustable height units and , while it isn’t as important, it can be helpful to understand what the limits of lift are between the two sizes.
So…in the end
There are many things to think about when selecting the best jockey wheel: what kind of trailer it’s used on, what size you require to choose from, whether you want an unidirectional or serrated model or it is possible to retract the wheel. be the best option. Be aware that when you choose a retractable model be sure ensure that there’s no clamp that is attached to the coupling. However, it can be a multiple-hole fixation piece to which it can be fixed.
