A jockey wheel is one of those parts you never think about until it fails at the worst possible moment, usually while you're trying to maneuver a loaded caravan onto an uneven site. Choose the wrong one and you'll fight to move your van, sink into soft ground, or watch a flimsy wheel buckle under load. The right jockey wheel makes coupling, uncoupling, and positioning your van effortless. This guide walks through the factors that actually matter so you can pick a wheel that suits your van's weight, your terrain, and the way you camp.
Match the Load Rating to Your Van
The single most important spec is load rating. Every jockey wheel has a maximum vertical load it can carry, measured at the coupling. For a small camper trailer or pop-top, a standard 150kg-rated wheel is usually fine. But a fully optioned dual-axle caravan or off-road van can put 200kg or more of ball weight onto the jockey wheel when uncoupled, especially with a full water tank and gear loaded toward the front.
As a rule, find your caravan's tow ball download (often 8 to 12 percent of the laden weight) and choose a jockey wheel rated comfortably above that figure. Running a wheel at its absolute limit shortens its life and risks failure on rough ground. A heavier-duty wheel costs a little more upfront but pays off in durability. If you're unsure of your numbers, weigh the van at a public weighbridge with everything loaded as you normally travel.
Choose the Right Wheel Type for Your Terrain
The wheel itself comes in a few flavors, and the best choice depends on where you park. A solid rubber or pneumatic wheel works well on hard surfaces like driveways, bitumen, and packed gravel. Pneumatic (air-filled) tires roll more easily over bumps and absorb shock, but they can puncture and need occasional pressure checks.
If you regularly camp off-grid or on soft ground, look at a wide or dual-wheel jockey. The extra footprint stops the wheel from digging into sand, mud, or grass. Some off-road models use a solid foam-filled tire that won't go flat, which is ideal for remote touring where a puncture is a real hassle. For purely sealed-surface use, a smaller solid wheel keeps weight and cost down. Think honestly about the worst terrain you'll face, not the easiest, and size the wheel for that.
Decide Between Standard, Ratchet, and Powered Wheels
How the wheel lifts the van matters just as much as the wheel itself. A standard screw-type jockey wheel uses a simple handle to wind the van up and down. It's reliable and cheap, but winding a heavy van takes effort and time.
A ratchet or geared jockey wheel reduces the effort needed to raise the coupling, which is a real benefit if you have a heavier van or limited mobility. At the top end, motorized or powered jockey wheels let you drive the van forward and back and steer it into position using a remote or controls, removing almost all the physical work of reversing into a tight site. They cost significantly more and add weight, but for solo travellers or anyone with a large van, the convenience can be worth it. Match the mechanism to how often you set up and how much effort you want to spend.
Check the Clamp, Stem, and Mounting
A jockey wheel is only as good as its mount. The clamp that secures the wheel to the drawbar needs to suit your stem diameter, commonly 48mm but sometimes 42mm or larger on heavy-duty setups. A weak or poorly fitted clamp can let the wheel slip under load, so a solid cast clamp with a strong handle is worth paying for. Off-road vans often benefit from a swing-up or removable jockey wheel that tucks out of the way to protect it from rocks and improve departure clearance.
Also consider the stem length and travel. You need enough vertical adjustment to lift the coupling clear of your tow ball and to level the van on sloping sites. Check that the wheel retracts high enough to clear obstacles when you're underway, and that it locks securely in the raised position. Quality off-road components from brands like ARK Corporation are built around these realities, with heavy-duty clamps and rugged wheels designed for Australian touring conditions.
Related ARK parts
Spares, upgrades and alternatives from the same ARK range:
- ARK XO350 Trailer Jack
- ARK XO500 Trailer Jack
- ARK XO750 Trailer Jack
- ARK XO350R Ratchet Style Trailer Jack (ORJW1SU)
- ARK XO750T Tube Mount Trailer Jack, Silver (ORJW750TD)
- ARK XO Series 8-Inch Spare Wheel (ORJWPSW8)
The Practical Takeaway
Start with your van's ball weight and pick a jockey wheel rated well above it. Then match the wheel type to your worst terrain, choose a lifting mechanism that suits your strength and how often you set up, and make sure the clamp and stem fit your drawbar properly. Spending a little more on a heavy-duty, terrain-appropriate wheel saves you the frustration of a failed wheel on a remote track. When in doubt, size up rather than down. You can browse rugged, tour-ready jockey wheels and drawbar gear in our ARK Corporation collection to find a setup that matches your van and the way you travel.