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
>
>
>
>
>
> ----- 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
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