Motor mover and jockey wheel combination

mendipwalker replied on 03/06/2018 22:58

Posted on 03/06/2018 22:58

Last year I got a motor mover (manual engagement type) fitted to my Bailey Ranger and it is a great help for a solo caravanner. The main observation is that off tarmac there is an issue, the jockey wheel drags badly, especially turning in mud or loose chippings. Makes a big mess, slows it right down and puts high load on jockey wheel assembly. Thinking about it there is around 50kg noseweight sitting on a small moulded plastic wheel so no great surprise.

So what is the solution? My ideas so far are :-

1) Move heavy objects to rear of caravan before siting but even awning isn't that heavy

2) Fill water drum & waste container and place to rear of caravan a mess about & they could slide but 2x 25L would give 50kg albeit at less distance behind axle than hitch is in front

3) Change jockey wheel for something larger and pneumatic pneumatic tyres are standard on building site wheelbarrows because they have less rolling resistance in mud

Any other sensible ideas, or practical experiences, would be welcome

Milothedog replied on 06/06/2018 18:33

Posted on 06/06/2018 15:20 by Cartledge

For the short time you are using the motor mover, get your passenger or nearby volunteer to sit in the caravan doorway with the door open and the jockey will be much lighter on the ground. Always being careful the passenger isnt too heavy to lift the whole thing oyff the ground and assuming the door is behind the axle.

 

Posted on 06/06/2018 18:33

That should entertain those already pitched up and sitting outside their outfit and enjoying a nice glass or two cool

Cartledge replied on 07/06/2018 08:25

Posted on 06/06/2018 18:33 by Milothedog

That should entertain those already pitched up and sitting outside their outfit and enjoying a nice glass or two cool

Posted on 07/06/2018 08:25

The "passenger" may need a glass or too after the ride.....

DougS replied on 07/06/2018 18:20

Posted on 07/06/2018 18:20

If you keep the standout of the jockey wheel assembly as small as possible (but without getting the inner into the slot come across.) I have found that this reduces the bending load on the jockey assembly meaning that it works well on all the surfaces we have come across.

Don't have it fully extended and the tube clamped at a large amount of extension.

mendipwalker replied on 27/10/2020 11:24

Posted on 27/10/2020 11:24

As I said, am solo smile I suppose 31Kg of Goldie would do as counterbalance if laying in end washroom & she is probably old and calm enough to do that now laughing

 

lornalou1 replied on 27/10/2020 11:56

Posted on 27/10/2020 11:56

Thats a long time to reply after your first posting over 2 years ago, did you foget about it. surprised 

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