A jockey wheel or trailer jockey can be an easy-to-use, self-contained device primarily created for lowering and raising the coupling end of a trailer and for stablekeeping the rear of the trailer while towing it to and from another vehicle. It really is used to reduce the strain on the trailer's tow-line. A wheel jack may be the device that raises and lowers the trailer, utilizing a hydraulic system. A jockey wheel acts as the "punch" arm by raising and lowering the trailer using its crankshaft. The trailer is then moved combined with the crankshaft of the trailer by the towing arm. Jockey wheels could be either directly or indirectly driven; the latter type of wheel is more often used.
There are numerous forms of jockey wheels, each suited to particular circumstances. There are basically two types: straight shafts and counter-rotating shafts. They differ in terms of design, size, type of material used and the direction they are fitted. The most typical forms of trailer jockey wheels will be the straight shafts and the counter-rotating ones. The straight shafts feature a single large counter-rotating arm that's placed in the biggest market of the wheel, which has a cross bar attached at another end.
These arms are connected by way of a large number of smaller arms which are fitted at the ends of the main body. All of the arms have a cross bar attached in order that the upper surface of the wheel can be lifted by it easily. Alternatively, the counter-rotating ones feature an arched design with a series of vertically mounted clamp brackets around the outside of the arm. They are fitted on the trailer jockey wheels and engage the wheels at their ends. Clamp brackets are also found in tandem with the jockey wheels to lock the trailer securely in place.
Mounting brackets, in turn, are made out of different materials. A number of them are created out of steel, while some are created out of aluminum or plastic. The former is more preferable since it is more durable and is light-weight; while the latter could be cast, but is comparatively expensive. jockey wheel clamp is very important choose the mounting bracket which will work best with the trailer. However, all jockey wheels and mounting brackets are not too difficult to set up on trailers of any sort, irrespective of the kind of vehicle they're destined to be used on.
The next step entails mounting the wheel on the trailer, where it will engage the trailer's winch system and the cable ties. At this point, installation of windshield or roof shingles will come in to the picture. Next, the cable will run from the winch to a cable trimmer to the wind shield and lastly to a cable cutter to perform the job.
Once installed, it is advisable to practice driving the vehicle minus the load on it for a couple days to ensure that these devices is in perfect working condition. On the other hand, when exceeding rough and uneven surfaces, it is important that you utilize pneumatic tires because they offer better traction on soft and muddy ground. Aside from using the appropriate jockey wheel on the trailer, it is also important to make use of a jack to raise the automobile to a working level. Ensure that the vehicle is raised using the right method - usually utilizing an extension ladder - and is maintained properly so as not to damage the vehicle or its components when raising it. Finally, be sure you drive the automobile slowly and cautiously over the rough surface, taking care never to step on the gas or the brake pedals.
