Had 2 drop on me. Once on leaving a dealer who had hitched up for me. Whole shaft was bent.
2nd was a Coachman where the filler piece snapped and fell out. I had to use the gas bottle spanner until I could find a dealer that had them in stock !
I had one with a huge plastic wheel that would catch on speed bumps! It was binned for a smaller steel wheel.
Did have one drop on me a few weeks back.
I parked outside my flat overnight and as I was going back to the yard in the morning, I did a cursory of all the lights, hitch, breakaway cable and lock screw...but never thought to check the winder!
Got to the Kessock Bridge and heard a clonk as I pulled away from the lights???
I pulled into the layby at the bridge and found the wheel on the deck!?!?
I can only imagine either someone had thought it hilarious to wind it down to the last bit of thread or it possibly wound itself loose with the vibration.
I informed the boss, but he wasn't sure as that particular trailer had just joined the fleet.
Yes, take mine off and put it in the front locker. Peace of mind when towing and it is easier to get in the front locker for the levelling boards when I get to site. My trailer one has a sprung clip that locks into the winding handle to stop it coming undone. A good idea.
After bumping mine on the speed bumps in my street and not being able to move the caravan with the mover I decided to always remove mine and put it in the front locker.
Everyone has their own opinion but you do what is best for you.
Just a point to ponder - we all religiously connect the breakaway cable (don't we?) in case the van comes unattached..... What if it does, and there's no jockey wheel? Fully wound up, it won't help much, but perhaps more than nothing?
I've only caught speed bumps on rare occasions when they've been very high - should the rear of a car and A-frame be that low, or does it indicate weak suspension and/or high noseweight?
Gram
------------- What's the difference between a chicken?
The only time ours has come down if I have not tightened it properly otherwise I cannot see the point of removing it.
I you have an accident and the emergency services need to move the van it will be very difficult if you are not capable of telling them where the jockey wheel is,also the front locker will be locked.
I have found in the past most jockey wheels lower tube has a slot in for the horizontal side bars which hold pin for jockey wheel. wind up till bars enter slot, then slacken clamp and lift jokey wheel up as far as will go usually tucksin to a frame cover and misses all speed bumps