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 is used to reduce the stress on the trailer's tow-line. jockey wheel clamp 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 with its crankshaft. The trailer is then moved together with the crankshaft of the trailer by the towing arm. Jockey wheels can be either directly or indirectly driven; the latter kind of wheel is more regularly used.

There are various types of jockey wheels, each suitable for particular circumstances. There are basically two types: straight shafts and counter-rotating shafts. They differ with regard to design, size, type of material used and the direction they are fitted. The most typical forms of trailer jockey wheels are the straight shafts and the counter-rotating ones. The straight shafts include a single large counter-rotating arm that is placed in the center of the wheel, that includes a cross bar attached at the other end.

These arms are connected by way of a large numbers of smaller arms that are fitted at the ends of the primary body. All 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 number 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 may also be found in tandem with the jockey wheels to lock the trailer securely in place.

Mounting brackets, subsequently, are made out of different materials. Some of them are made out of steel, while others are made out of aluminum or plastic. The former is more preferable as it is more durable and is light-weight; as the latter can be cast, but is comparatively expensive. You should decide on the mounting bracket that may 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 kind of vehicle they're destined to be utilized on.

The next step entails mounting the wheel on the trailer, where it'll engage the trailer's winch system and the cable ties. At this time, installation of 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 lastly to a cable cutter to perform the job.

Once installed, you should practice driving the vehicle minus the load on it for a few days to ensure that the device is in perfect working condition. On the other hand, when exceeding rough and uneven surfaces, it is important that you utilize pneumatic tires as they offer better traction on soft and muddy ground. Aside from using the appropriate jockey wheel on the trailer, it is also important to utilize a jack to raise the automobile to a working level. Guarantee that the vehicle is raised using the right method - usually utilizing an extension ladder - and is maintained properly in order not to damage the automobile or its components when raising it. Finally, make sure you drive the automobile slowly and cautiously on the rough surface, taking care not to step on the gas or the brake pedals.