A jockey wheel or trailer jockey is an easy-to-use, self-contained device primarily designed 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 is the device that raises and lowers the trailer, utilizing a hydraulic system. A jockey wheel acts because the "punch" arm by raising and lowering the trailer using its crankshaft. The trailer is then moved along with the crankshaft of the trailer by the towing arm. Jockey wheels could be either directly or indirectly driven; the latter kind of wheel is more regularly used.

There are many forms of jockey wheels, each suitable for particular circumstances. There are basically two types: straight shafts and counter-rotating shafts. They differ with regards to design, size, kind of material used and the direction they are fitted. The most frequent types of trailer jockey wheels are the straight shafts and the counter-rotating ones. The straight shafts feature a single large counter-rotating arm that is placed in the center of the wheel, which has a cross bar attached at another end.

These arms are connected by a large numbers of smaller arms that are fitted at the ends of the primary body. All the arms have a cross bar attached so 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 round the outside of the arm. These are fitted on the trailer jockey wheels and engage the wheels at their ends. Clamp brackets are also used in tandem with the jockey wheels to lock the trailer securely set up.

Mounting brackets, in turn, are made out of different materials. Some of them are created out of steel, while some are made out of aluminum or plastic. The former is more preferable since it is stronger and is light-weight; as the latter can be cast, but is comparatively expensive. It is important to decide on the mounting bracket that will work best with the trailer. However, all jockey wheels and mounting brackets are relatively easy to set up on trailers of any sort, irrespective of the type of vehicle they're destined to be used on.

The next phase entails mounting the wheel on the trailer, where it will engage the trailer's winch system and the cable ties. At this point, installing windshield or roof shingles should come in to the picture. Next, the cable will run from the winch to a cable trimmer to the wind shield and finally to a cable cutter to complete the job.

Once installed, you should practice driving the vehicle minus the load on it for a few days to ensure that these devices is in perfect working condition. Alternatively, when going over http://www.basictrailerparts.com.au/product/clamp-for-standard-jockey-wheels/ and uneven surfaces, it is important that you utilize pneumatic tires because they offer better traction on soft and muddy ground. Apart from using the appropriate jockey wheel on the trailer, additionally it is important to make use of a jack to raise the vehicle to a working level. Guarantee 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, make sure you drive the automobile slowly and cautiously on the rough surface, taking care never to step on the gas or the brake pedals.