I am very new to this caravanning thing, totally obsessed mind you but have only owned a caravan for 18 months so keep pestering you nice people on here for advice. Anyway, the point of my thread is that whilst away last week I saw several caravans where the owners had lifted the jockey wheels whilst using them. I do not even begin to pretend I know a lot about caravans but this doesn't seem right to me. I know you are not supposed to put too much stress on the corner steadies so would have thought this was a bad idea. What do you lot think?
The corner steadies of the van are designed to take the weight of the van, spread over the four corners, and keep it err... 'steady'. They can take all the weight that your van is designed to cope with once you have levelled it. It is quite acceptable to take off the jockey wheel once you are levelled and the steadies are down. Remember though, do not level with the steadies, they are not designed for that! Some people remove the Jockey wheen to use the clamp for a TV mast, but I always leave ours attached and wound down. I see no value in removing it under normal circumstances.
Alistair
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Hi Ali. I consider the wheels and jockey wheel as the three points that carry the weight of the caravan. The stays/legs are surely designed to stabilize the caravan whilst sited, and stop any rock n roll. I dont put my legs down, until my 'van is levelled. As far as I can see, the jockey wheel supports the chassis, so is designed to share the weight.
Quote: Originally posted by Fogey on 07/6/2008
Just a point. Removing the jockey wheel is another deterrent for would be thieves to get past when they think of stealing your caravan.