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This has happened to me on a couple of occasions with an Alko hitch. It gave me the fright of my life when on a motorway; I suddenly heard a noise and thought I had a blowout. The jockey wheel had dropped to the floor and I recall tightening it.

I think it is possible for the wheel not to fully seat (even though it may appear to be) when you pull up the shaft and even though it was fully tightened it can work loose. I now make sure that I well and truly waggle the jockey wheel to make sure it is defiantly seated before tightening.

It is possible, when lifting the jockey wheel into its travelling position, to clamp it otherwise than perfectly vertical. ...at a slight angle. The clamp can still feel tight but as the wheel is at a slant it does not touch the clamp all the way round. Bouncing along can then rock it into the vertical and it wobbles down. Always look down through the A frame at the jockey wheel just to check that it is straight.

Phil

Hi Tim,

I had this happen on a dover ferry.

I was entering  the upper deck and the flaps bounced up as our weight crossed

them.When i was getting off the ferry i could hear a noise and pulled in.

The wheel had dropped down fortunately no damage done.

I make doubly sure now the clamp is locked  on tight.

Terry