How to Properly Maintain the Trailer Jockey Wheel?

The trailer jockey wheel is a simple mechanical device designed to lift and lower the coupling head from the trailer ball and stabilize the front of the trailer when moving the front of the trailer in and out of the trailer. If the trailer jockey wheel can get the following proper maintenance, it will provide you with years of trouble-free service.

(1) The jockey wheel is designed to comfortably bear the maximum nose weight of the trailer. Therefore, you should ensure that the installed jockey wheels are suitable for the size of the trailer, the total weight of the trailer, and the specified front-end weight of the trailer.

(2) At any time, the winding action of the horse jockey wheel should be smooth and easy. This will allow you and other operators to wind the trailer steering wheel with minimal effort. Having an ergonomically designed handle will help.

(3) Check whether the outer tube of the jockey wheel is damaged. Sometimes, the locking handle of the pipe clamp may damage the pipe (this may be a separate jockey wheel clamp, or it may be part of the Overspeed coupling cast housing.

(4) Ensure that the thread of the locking handle does not directly act on the jockey wheel and there is a cushion between the wheel tube and the locking handle and tube. The cushion distributes the load when tightening the handle and locking the jockey wheel in place, and can also prevent damage to the outer tube.

(5) If the trailer jockey wheel is left behind during transportation, or it has been detached from the road, the outer tube or inner tube may be damaged. This may prevent the inner tube from being completely wrapped into the outer tube. If it is, then it should be replaced.

(6)It is always wise to regularly remove the inner valve stem and lubricate the moving parts.

(7) Regularly check whether the tires of the jockey wheels are damaged, and make sure that the tires have no cuts and missing large pieces of rubber so that they can run smoothly on the ground. The jockey wheels manufactured by HAWAY are designed with rubber tires, which can withstand strong forces, but we should still treat them with caution.

(8) Check the caster side plates (install jockey wheels and tires). Make sure these are not damaged and the jockey wheels can still rotate freely.

(9) Check that the tire is not damaged and that the wheel is running smoothly on its spindle within the castor side plates that retain it. Wind the jockey wheel down until it touches the floor and then continue to wind it to raise the coupling head at the front of the trailer. If the coupling head is attached to the tow ball you will have to release it from the ball.

(10) If attaching the trailer to the vehicle, position the vehicle and trailer so that the coupling head is above the ball. Open the coupling head and then wind up the jockey wheel in order to lower the coupling head onto the ball.

(11) Ensure that the coupling head is securely connected to the ball and locked in place. Then continue to wind up the jockey wheel so that the inner assembly is fully retracted and stow it in position with the inner and outer assemblies “locked together”. Your jockey wheel assembly might have an R clip and chain device (or similar) to ensure that the handle cannot rotate. If fitted ensure that you use it.

(12) If the jockey wheel is an “auto-lift” style then you only have to wind the top handle to lock out the jockey wheel. If it isn’t, then after you have locked the inner and outer assemblies together you might have to unwind a clamp handle (locking the jockey wheel in place) to release the jockey wheel, then raise and stow the jockey wheel as high as possible before locking it in place again with the clamp handle.

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As a professional manufacturer of trailer parts, we have accumulated decades of manufacturing experience in this field. We have a strict production team and a complete management system, which can provide you with safe and high-quality products. At the same time, we will also provide thoughtful services and effective solutions according to your needs. If you are interested in our trailer jockey wheels, please contact us immediately!