Driving back from the Tunnel after a couple of hours we could hear a banging from the back of the car.Found somewhere safe to stop and was shocked to see the jockey wheel was about an inch off the ground.It was still secure in the clamp but the handle had unwound through vibration and gradually lowered the wheel.In future I will make sure that the handle is really tight.
Happened to us three weeks ago (or I forgot to secure it ). Luckily for us it was spotted by a another driver who pointed it out as we were driving along. My thanks to that bloke. Didn't notice a thing but it must have been dragging for a while as the tyre was ground flat! Luckily I got a replacement wheel and tyre. Five minutes to change it so no big deal. Now it'll be case of check, double check, (and as advised by the CC), stop after 10 minutes of driving and check again. Older and wiser? Not in this case.
read of many doing this over the years.think a simple solution is bungy ties round the handle and the wheel holding backet at the bottom.this will stop it unwinding.
Happened to us last year en route to daughter's - took the caravan to stay in overnight so she could have the family/friends BBQ and we could stay over and have lots of drinkipoos. Last couple of miles loud banging, stopped as soon as we could pull over, found the same. Plastic centre of the wheel completely shot. What a job getting the 'van into their gravel driveway!!! Son-in Law kindly lifted up the front of the 'van with the hitch while I took it in with the motor mover (godsend that was) Quick trip over to nearest caravan shop only a few miles away for a new wheel. I KNOW I tightened the winding handle as I have a laminated full check list for every trip. But ever since, I have attached a short strong bungee to give the belt-and-braces philosophy.
I don't know why they don't make the caravan ones like the ones on our 3.5 ton trailers,there are two lugs that line up when the handle is fully tightened and a R clip goes through the two so the handle can't unwind and when the whole thing is raised there is a short length of chain and a clip to stop it dropping if the clamp comes loose. I always unclamp my caravan one and chuck it in the boot.
I had this on our Brenderup trailer this weekend. Been driving for about two hours and heard a noise, was slowing down when a car on the outside lane slowed and confrimed something was wrong.
Seems a bit of a bodge having to put a bungee cord on it?
I got new tyres on my van at the weekend and I asked the fitter to balance them, at first he looked surprised but when he was finished he told me I was the first person to ask him to balance tyres for a caravan/trailer. I told him only the best tyre fitter would provide such a great service.
I'm surprised you don't 'feel' any wobble through the tow bar or noise in the car if the wheels are out?
I can hear a bearing on our gardening / allotmenteering trailer grumbling when towing that, all it needs is nipping up, but I'm in no hurry to get that done at the mo'.
Quote: Originally posted by roulston on 17/4/2013
I got new tyres on my van at the weekend and I asked the fitter to balance them, at first he looked surprised but when he was finished he told me I was the first person to ask him to balance tyres for a caravan/trailer. I told him only the best tyre fitter would provide such a great service.
I had the same. But they actually said they dont need balancing.
I insisted on them balancing them.