A jockey wheel is used to position and move a trailer when not hitched to a tow vehicle. It comes in two styles, soft and hard rubber/plastic. Care must be taken not to overload it, and it should be placed on a stand when parked on a soft surface.
A jockey wheel is usually found at the front of a trailer near the hitch. This wheel is used to help position the trailer or to help move the trailer when it is not hitched to a tow vehicle. This wheel will also be attached to the trailer jack in many cases.
This type of wheel can be found in two different styles: a soft, pneumatic tire, or a solid rubber or plastic tire. Both have independent advantages. The soft, air-filled tire is easier to roll on and will generally support a greater amount of weight on a soft surface. The hard rubber or plastic tire is less expensive in most cases and will support the most weight on a hard surface.
The jockey wheel makes it much easier to hitch the tow vehicle to the trailer. By allowing the operator to easily move the trailer a few inches in all directions, the tow vehicle does not have to be exactly positioned to attach the hitch to the ball. This ease of mobility coupled with the lack of maintenance required makes this a popular towing accessory.
When using the jockey wheel, care must be taken to ensure that there is not an excessive amount of weight on it. The jockey wheel is designed to move only on empty trailers. Attempting to move a wheel-loaded trailer could damage the wheel, hitch, and even the trailer jack.
When towing a trailer that has the jockey wheel attached to the trailer jack, be sure to raise the jack to its highest position before moving. Otherwise, the jockey wheel can scrub and scrape the road. This will cause the tire to have a flat spot, hindering the trailer’s ability to move easily on the wheel. If possible, it is recommended to remove the jockey wheel from the jack before using the trailer.
When parking a trailer equipped with a jockey wheel, always place the wheel on a stand when placing it on a soft surface. Otherwise, the trailer could sink into the ground and damage the jack or wheel. Jockey wheels are not designed to support a large amount of weight on a soft surface and therefore must have a board or other flat item placed underneath to distribute the weight over a larger surface area.
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