Upgrade jockey wheel?

bikerdude666 · 25th July 2017, 19:15

Just a quick question, our caravan is currently fitted with the solid plastic jockey wheel, which seems to dig in to the gravel at the storage place. I was wondering if maybe it'd be better to swap it for a wheel with a tyre on it, as that would probably go over the gravel easier?

Any opinions?

Heddy · 25th July 2017, 20:04

Well, you never see a builders barrow with a solid wheel, so yes, get a blow up tyre on it. (I can't spell pnuematic)

HarryM1BYT · 27th July 2017, 09:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by Heddy

Well, you never see a builders barrow with a solid wheel, so yes, get a blow up tyre on it. (I can't spell pnuematic)

I can spell it - Yes a pneumatic tyre is much better on soft surfaces like soft grass or loose pebbles etc., but they tend to puncture unless kept blown up.

macafee2 · 27th July 2017, 19:19

it may not fit into the forks of the ??? what ever its called. It will may also be a greater diameter and so sit lower but as others have said, much better.

As the 75 sits a bit low at the rear, replace the spindle spilt pin of the jockey wheel with a R clip. You can then remove spindle and wheel for towing. If storing for a long time, lift the jockey wheel and place a bit of wood under the base of the shaft. Let the shaft sit on the wood with wheel clear of ground, apparently stops it going out of shape.

macafee2

HarryM1BYT · 27th July 2017, 19:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by macafee2

it may not fit into the forks of the ??? what ever its called. It will may also be a greater diameter and so sit lower but as others have said, much better.

As the 75 sits a bit low at the rear, replace the spindle spilt pin of the jockey wheel with a R clip. You can then remove spindle and wheel for towing. If storing for a long time, lift the jockey wheel and place a bit of wood under the base of the shaft. Let the shaft sit on the wood with wheel clear of ground, apparently stops it going out of shape.

macafee2

I long ago replaced the spindle split pin with an R clip, just to make it quicker to get the wheel out. I'm not convinced it matters all that much if that tyre goes out of shape, after all you will not be using it on the road, but if supported on a bit of wood and it loses pressure....

I am though concerned about UV attacking the tyre, so its a good idea to cover it to keep the sun off. Even more so the main two or four tyres. I'm lucky, my two are permanently in the shade, so no problem there and I make a point of moving it about occasionally to prevent them going out of shape.

bikerdude666 · 27th July 2017, 20:04

Thanks, hadn't thought of swapping the pin, when storing the van a known length of time it would be easy to park it up and swap it out for the solid plastic wheel.

As for the main tyres, the storage place is surrounded by hedges/trees, and theres only about 2 foot of space either side so should be fairly shaded most of the time. If not I can probably make up some sort of cover to go over them.

I'll measure the wheel tomorrow and then see about ordering one. Thanks.

25th July 2017, 19:15	#1
bikerdude666 Posted a thing or two Jaguar Xe diseasal Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Little Stanion, Corby Posts: 1,922 Thanks: 363 Thanked 390 Times in 241 Posts	Upgrade jockey wheel? Just a quick question, our caravan is currently fitted with the solid plastic jockey wheel, which seems to dig in to the gravel at the storage place. I was wondering if maybe it'd be better to swap it for a wheel with a tyre on it, as that would probably go over the gravel easier? Any opinions?

25th July 2017, 20:04	#2
Heddy This is my second home None Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: None Posts: 5,556 Thanks: 465 Thanked 1,161 Times in 924 Posts	Well, you never see a builders barrow with a solid wheel, so yes, get a blow up tyre on it. (I can't spell pnuematic)

27th July 2017, 19:19	#4
macafee2 This is my second home Rover 75 Saloon & Tourer Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Lincoln Posts: 14,961 Thanks: 1,630 Thanked 3,032 Times in 2,181 Posts	it may not fit into the forks of the ??? what ever its called. It will may also be a greater diameter and so sit lower but as others have said, much better. As the 75 sits a bit low at the rear, replace the spindle spilt pin of the jockey wheel with a R clip. You can then remove spindle and wheel for towing. If storing for a long time, lift the jockey wheel and place a bit of wood under the base of the shaft. Let the shaft sit on the wood with wheel clear of ground, apparently stops it going out of shape. macafee2

27th July 2017, 20:04	#6
bikerdude666 Posted a thing or two Jaguar Xe diseasal Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Little Stanion, Corby Posts: 1,922 Thanks: 363 Thanked 390 Times in 241 Posts	Thanks, hadn't thought of swapping the pin, when storing the van a known length of time it would be easy to park it up and swap it out for the solid plastic wheel. As for the main tyres, the storage place is surrounded by hedges/trees, and theres only about 2 foot of space either side so should be fairly shaded most of the time. If not I can probably make up some sort of cover to go over them. I'll measure the wheel tomorrow and then see about ordering one. Thanks.