The right jockey wheel for your caravan
Support load, tyres and co. - these are the things to watch out for
Do you like travelling with a caravan or tow your camping equipment with a trailer? Then you know: the jockey wheel is extremely important for stability and manoeuvring on site. Find out here what the differences are.
Table of contents
The jockey wheel – what is it used for?
During the journey, the jockey wheel plays no role. It is either cranked up or removed completely. How the latter works is explained later in the topic "Changing the jockey wheel".
The jockey wheel becomes important when you unhitch your caravan. Crank it down to park safely, keeping the drawbar horizontal.
You can then use the jockey wheel to move your caravan into the correct position on the pitch. It allows manoeuvring.
A good jockey wheel can also positively influence the manoeuvrability of manoeuvring aids.
What role does the support load play?
When choosing a jockey wheel, first determine your caravan’s permissible support load. This is the weight of the drawbar on the jockey wheel or trailer coupling.
Check part 1 of the registration certificate, point 13. This information allows you to assess which jockey wheel suits your caravan. Find detailed information about support load here.
Practical support load scales can be found here
Support load matters also because of different jockey wheel mount designs. The diameter of the steel tube determines how much load it can bear. Example: 60 mm diameter → 400 kg static load.
Always adhere to the permissible support load. Exceeding it can be dangerous and costly.
Depending on the support load, choose your new jockey wheel. Some have an integrated support load scale for immediate safety.
Find a jockey wheel with support load indicator in the Berger online shop.
How to measure the support load: video explanation
Important considerations regarding tyres
Now you know the permissible support load to select a jockey wheel, but which tyres are right? Consider your camping habits: surface type and duration of standing.
This blog shows how to change a new jockey wheel with support load scale on your caravan.
Your options:
Solid rubber / plastic
Solid rubber or plastic tyres cannot go flat, require little maintenance, and suit long standing times. However, the caravan is harder to push and sinks more on soft ground.
Air-filled wheels
Air-filled wheels often have larger diameter and width. Easier to manoeuvre the caravan; less sinking on soft/wet ground. Check air pressure regularly. For very large support loads and long standing, not optimal.
Find various jockey wheels in the Berger online shop.
The larger the wheel diameter, the easier it is to manoeuvre the caravan.
Changing the jockey wheel
It is easy to replace the jockey wheel yourself. Follow these 4 steps:
1. Jack up the caravan and secure with support blocks
2. Fully unscrew the crank on the clamp and pull out the holder with the jockey wheel downwards
3. Insert the holder of the new jockey wheel through the opening
4. Secure by cranking
This blog shows how to install a jockey wheel with support load scale on your caravan.
Watch all steps again in the following video:
Find support blocks in the Berger online shop.
Conclusion: The right jockey wheel helps you in everyday camping
The correct jockey wheel is a great help in everyday camping. It allows you to push your caravan more easily into position. Choosing the right wheel depends on your camping habits and the support load of your caravan. Therefore, it is important to get informed before purchase.
