How to Choose a Jockey Wheel for Your Boat Trailer?
Choosing the right jockey wheel can make the movement of the boat trailer more convenient. There are a few variables to consider in your choice-the load on the jockey wheel, the material it is made of, and the diameters of both the jockey wheel and its sleeve (the vertical metal tube). The followings are the considerations for choosing jockey wheels for your marine trailer.
If you are replacing your entire jockey wheel assembly you should start by measuring the height of your existing one from the handle to the bottom of the wheel. If you already have a bracket welded onto your boat trailer that the new jockey-wheel assembly needs to fit you will also need to measure the diameter or outer width of the sleeve (the vertical metal tube).
Types of Jockey Wheels
A standard or fixed jockey wheel is welded or bolted onto the trailer drawbar. You can adjust the height of the jockey wheel by moving the shaft up and down. The wheel can be either solid or pneumatic.
With a “swivel bracket” jockey wheel, you pull a release handle, and the wheel rotates into a horizontal position for traveling. An “adjustable swivel bracket” allows you to choose whether you remove the wheel, swivel it into a travel position and adjust the height.
There are two types of wheels on jockey wheels - solid and pneumatic.
Solid-Made from rubber or nylon, solid tires are best for use on solid ground surfaces like paving and concrete or tightly packed soil.
Pneumatic-These air-filled tires are designed for loose ground such as beach sand and muddy soil.
You may not be able to swap between solid and pneumatic wheels. If your jockey wheel was supplied with a solid tire, you might not be able to use a pneumatic wheel on it because they often have a larger diameter than solid wheels.
Jockey Wheel Sleeve
If you are replacing your existing jockey wheel with something similar, measuring the outer sleeve (vertical metal tube) will help decide the new one.
(1) A 34mm sleeve is the smallest available and not usually found on boat trailers because they are too lightweight.
(2) A 42mm sleeve is used on some light, unbraked trailers.
(3) A 48mm sleeve is the most common size for boat trailers.
(4) The 60 and 63mm sleeves are for heavy-duty boat trailers with a load capacity of 750 kg.
Load Rating
You first need to consider the load on your jockey wheel. Calculate the weight of your boat including when it’s loaded with gear, plus the trailer weight then add an extra 20% as a safety margin. This is the weight your jockey wheel should be capable of carrying. If the wheel isn’t strong enough to take the weight, you risk bending it or you will struggle to wind it up and down.
The trailer jockey wheels designed and manufactured by HAWAY can support the trailer and make the movement of the trailer easy, and our guide wheels are made of heavy-duty materials with a load capacity of more than 2000 pounds. If you want to know more about trailer accessories after reading the above, you can get a comprehensive solution by contacting us.
As a professional manufacturer of trailer parts, we have accumulated decades of manufacturing experience in this field. We have a strict production team and a complete management system, which can provide you with safe and high-quality products. At the same time, we will also provide thoughtful services and effective solutions according to your needs. If you are interested in our trailer jockey wheels, please contact us immediately!
