Re: [tabtrailers] Re: JOCKEY WHEEL SOLUTION for newbies

6:45 PM |

Melissa, there are two things that are involved in the jockey wheel "maintenance." One is using some anti-seize compound on the threads of the clamp lever. This is available at most any auto parts store in a tube. The other is lubricating the threaded rod in the upper tube that tightens and loosens the nut in the lower section to raise and lower the jockey wheel.

Easy to do--first, make sure your front stabilizers are down, so it can support the tongue temporarily while you remove the jockey wheel assembly. Second, crank the jockey wheel up just enough to take the tongue weight off it, but not enough to lift it off the ground. Third, unscrew the clamp lever and put it aside. Fourth, use the top crank to completely unscrew the top of the jockey wheel assembly from the bottom. Fifth, lift the top assembly off/out of the bottom section. You don't have to remove the bottom section if the tongue is not high enough to take it out, because the nut at the top of the lower section will be visible and accessible. Sixth, put a good dab of lithium grease on either the bottom section of the screw shaft, and/or the nut threads--screwing it back together will distribute the grease along the threads. If in doubt, do it several times. Seventh, reverse the procedure to screw the two sections back together and reinstall the clamp lever and put the tongue weight back on the jockey wheel so that it just takes the weight off (or shares the weight with) the stabilizers.

You won't have to do this often, because the frequency of use is relatively low compared to other mechanical activity, and the internal surfaces involved are protected from dirt and other grime, unlike the stabilizer screws. I've done my 2004 T@B once since I've had it. You might consider using some dry silicone spray in the area where the crank handle goes down into the upper tube.

Again, the anti-seize compound is probably the more important part of the whole thing regarding the possible failure to clamp properly, and the entire assembly might wind up dropping. Lubricating the screw shaft will actually make the other accidental wheel drop (where the clamp properly does its job) easier, because the road vibration can cause the weight bias of the lower section to unscrew itself from the upper section. I believe Jim also advocated (properly) for people to use one hand to move the entire jockey wheel assembly back and forth while clamping until there is absolutely no "play" in it, both after raising if for transport and after lowering it to support the tongue.

Best wishes

Jerry J

----- Original Message -----

From: vitabin_c

To: tabtrailers@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Sunday, May 29, 2011 8:10 PM

Subject: [tabtrailers] Re: JOCKEY WHEEL SOLUTION for newbies

I too would be interested in the directions for lubing the jockey wheel. I'm thinking maybe I should do this before heading out on a 4000+ mile trip next month.

Thanks!

Melissa

--- In tabtrailers@yahoogroups.com, "Jerry Jones" <jjerryj@...> wrote:
>
> Karen, I will see if I can add some information about how to lubricate the jockey wheel screw shaft threads and apply the anti-seize compound for the clamp threads. Because the shaft threads are enclosed and not subject to picking up a lot of dust and road grit, they will not need lubricating on a regular basis.
>
> There are two types of drops that can occur. One is the failure of the clamp where the entire assembly can drop. The other is the lower assembly, due to vibrations and its weight on the screw shaft, unscrewing itself.
>
> Lubricating the jockey wheel shaft threads will actually make it easier for the wheel weight to unscrew itself from the upper assembly and work its way down if the crank handle is not secured from turning. Also, if you are not very careful to work the assembly back and forth while clamping it down (to take out any play), it may not be seated completely, and the entire assembly can drop. Even if all those steps are taken, while it will improve the holding ability and reduce the number and frequency, there will still be some that will drop. The bungee cord (or pin method) is still very good and inexpensive insurance against both types of drops.
>
> With over 30,000 miles on our T@B, I have had mine drop several times--the first was on our initial trip to the west coast in 2005 and back, before I was aware of the problem and prevention. And the last time was about a year ago, when I noticed the bungee cord stretched a little bit--it had saved the assembly from being damaged.
>
> Jim's two-handled knob lock lever is certainly a good improvement over the single lever. Hope he jumps in and repeats his lubrication approach.
>
> Jerry J
>
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>
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> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Karen Robinson
> To: tabtrailers@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Saturday, May 28, 2011 9:53 AM
> Subject: Re: [tabtrailers] JOCKEY WHEEL SOLUTION for newbies
>
>
>
>
> I too like the jockey wheel, being able to move the trailer around is a wonderful thing. Most problems people have with the wheel assembly are caused by not servicing it, yes, I know there is no info to do this. However, right after I got my trailer I was hooking up and it collapsed to the ground, I had to jack it up with my TV jack and I was literally AFRAID of it after that.
>
> At a rally I had the good fortune of having Jim the engineering whiz tell me that the assembly and especially the part that secures the wheel in place needed to be cleaned and lubricated. He did that for me and showed me how to visually check to be sure the clamp is tightened up to the tube. He said they have never bungeed or secured their wheel in any way except with the mechanism included in the wheel assembly and have gone on rough roads and long trips, and never a problem.
>
> I was so glad to learn that I didn't do anything wrong, it just didn't tighten down because it was bound up and I had tighted it as hard as I could, but it didn't really tighten because the screw thing was bound up.
>
> I hardly ever bungee my wheel now, only if I think of it and am feeling insecure for whatever reason, no problems ever again, I also bought one of his two ball levers and put the original one away.
>
> Jim, or Pat, if you read this, what was the name of that miracle lube he used, wish I had bought some, but he said I wouldn't need it for years.
>
> Now, if I can just get those stabilizers lubed correctly, that will be a big dirty job, I tried it early this spring, but I should have cleaned them off good before applying the graphite.
>
> Thanks Jim and Pat for all of your work and tips and expertise in everything camping and T@B!!!
>
> Karen
> So Utah