I have a Lunar Delta fitted with motor movers and am having problems with with the jockey wheel , it is only 4 months old and is already looking like it is at the end of it's life the wheel is scuffed and the shaft is dented and slighly bent, am I doing something wrong or is the caravan too heavy for it (caravan is 1750kg) would a pump up wheel help to move the van easier and can you buy a heavy duty jockey wheel.
HI Are you moving it on shingle? I have had to fit a pump up wheel to move mine on the drive. Don't understand why it is bent unless it has been attempted to move and turn with the wheel in the travel position making it impossible to turn really.
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I have a heavy TA caravan and switched from a pump up to a solid jockey wheel as the former kept coming off the rim when turning using the motor mover, happened 3 times in less than 6 months. Much less issues with a solid one although not as easy on some ground.
I bought a wide solid wheel from a local caravan stockist. I had to keep having to remove the pneumatic one as it wouldn't wind up, I had to keep taking it off completely, and it went flat all the time.
I have a motor mover, the wide rigid type of jockey wheel works well on my shingle drive.
Have you driven with it too low and hitting the ground?
The pneumatic wheels are good for low ground pressure, ie they float over soft ground easier but they shouldn't be needed on a caravan. They are more suited to boat trailers (I have one on my boat trailer so it doesn't sink in the sand).
Keep the front of the van fairly low with a shorter jockey wheel when you move it to reduce the leverage being applied.
To become dented it must have been hit or the clamp overtightened at that point.
I use a pneumatic jockey wheel. The tyre came off the rim (might have been too soft?) so I put an inner tube in and it has been ok since. Important to check the pressure regularly 35 to 40 psi. Other tips are facing the wheel the way you start the mover and as previous posts, shorter jockey wheel and watch your nose weight. I carry a spare solid wheel and a split pin in case of emergency.
Fred.
"it is only 4 months old and is already looking like it is at the end of it's life the wheel is scuffed and the shaft is dented and slighly bent,"
sounds like you are hitting something ie when driving into your drive or speed bumps. Would check that the leg is fully up and locked.
also agree with the comments of'millermicm'
I had a problem when I first got my delta about 3 years ago and the jockey wheel was just about destroyed by the time of first service but it was replaced under warranty with a slightly more robust one and no problems since. however I do make sure that I avoid making large changes in direction of the jockey wheel when on freshly chipped tarmac roads as these seem to be the biggest culprit. The best way of reducing wear is to use a front mounted tow bar and only use the mover when absolutely essential, which in my case is not very often.
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