Simplify Caravan Setup: Choosing the Right Jockey Wheel & Stand
Is your traditional top-winding jockey wheel standing between you and campsite Nirvana? Save time, space, and a little sweat at setup with these smart jockey stand ideas.
The Essentials of Jockey Stands
Ease of use may be a catalyst for updating your jockey stand, but other factors influence your options. Your choice must safely support your van and raise the coupling enough to clear the tow hitch, accounting for uneven ground.
Do I Want a Wheel?
Wheels are handy if your caravan is light enough to move by hand or with a ratchet, like on this Power Mover Jockey Wheel (or as an option on some models). Off-road, large wheels that easily articulate assist recovery in tricky terrain. For heavier vans, the Optitec weighing 22kg serves both as an electric caravan mover and jockey wheel. Alternatively, a stand could be more durable and offer more contact with the ground. The good news is that many jockey systems give you a choice if you change your mind.
Jockey Stick Compatibility
The typical fixed Australian caravan jockey stick has a 48-50mm outside diameter (OD) tube with ridges for height adjustment for common single and double 50mm clamps. They’re still common, but your jockey stand may use a different attachment if it’s made for heavier work or if you’re introducing a swivel mechanism, which many manufacturers have come up with some clever solutions for.
Side-winder Options
If space is tight, a side-winder jockey mechanism needs less room and force to operate thanks to an internal gearbox. Manutec, ALKO, and ARK offer side-winders on selected swivel and fixed jockey stands.
Drill-Powered Jockey Stands like the BOS Jockey Unit
BOS makes jockey stands with optional wheels compatible with their drill-bit system. They raise/lower trailers up to 400mm using a lithium-powered drill. They weigh about 8kg, are rated to 1800kg, and come with a removable foot so the stick can stay permanently attached to the A-frame. The foot swivels on a ball joint for greater ground contact.
Hydraulic Operation (Trail-A-Mate)
The Trail-A-Mate is a hydraulic jockey wheel doubling as a trailer jack. To lower, release pressure; to lift, pump the handle. Its 50mm tube model supplied with a wheel weighs 15kg. A 60mm version with a proprietary clamp suits vans with ATMs exceeding 3500kg. Trail-A-Mate supplies compatible proprietary jack engagement fittings, but they often come fitted to caravans at the chassis crossbars.
12V Power (Black Jack – Mini)
New from Titan RV, the latest 12V-powered Black Jack – Mini spotted here at eTime uses your van’s Anderson plug to electronically raise your trailer—no cranking needed. Weighing 8.5kg and rated to carry 1000kg, the Black Jack Mini is a convenient solution.
