Trailer swivel wheel not swiveling

Ken & Peggy

Ken & Peggy

Moderator
Staff member
Donating Member
The front swivel wheel on our 550 has never swiveled while pushing/pulling the trailer around once un-hitched from the car. I should say it has never swiveled very well. I usually wind up tapping it with my foot to 'steer' as I move it around. Anybody else having the same problem? Is there a way to fix this?
Ken
 
Ken,
We have the same issues. I lighten the load with a lift and use my foot help me steer by kicking the wheel. I think a rubber wheel may work better. I haven't tried anything yet.
If you expect the wheel to swivel and force it, you may do damage to the jack by bending it. Steve
 
Yeah, that's basically what I do to, but it seems to me the wheel should swivel more easily. Our pop-up trailer wheel swivels effortlessly, and it's at least twice as heavy. Is there a way to lubricate the jack to improve the 'swivel'?

Ken
 
This should solve the problem:

1) Hitch the trailer to your tow vehicle.

2) Raise the jack so it's off the ground (doesn't need to be cranked all the way up), then rotate it as if you were putting it in the travel position but stop at about 45 degrees.

3) Make a mental note of how much of the inner metal tube (with the wheel) is exposed outside of the outer tube.

4) Now crank the jack so that the wheel comes out as far as possible (still in the 45 degree position).

5) Using a heavy duty wheel bearing grease, rub a thin coat over the inner metal tube from the point that was previously hidden, but became exposed when you cranked it out (see the mental note in step #3).

6) Crank the inner metal tube back in to about where it previously was.

7) Spin the wheel around a couple of times to evenly distribute the grease inside the outer tube.

8) Wipe off any excess grease; lower the jack; & unhitch the trailer.

It should now pivot more freely. :)
 
Steve'nEllen said:
Ken,
I think a rubber wheel may work better. I haven't tried anything yet.
Click to expand...

Craig recommends not changing it. The pneumatic tires in that size won't hold the weight & when they go flat (and they will), they are much more trouble than they are worth.

If using a semi-pneumatic tire, it will develop a flat spot when sitting over a long period of time. And then it won't roll very well... :(

:cool:
 
To add more to that. We had one customer change his wheel to a pneumatic one and during the night when him and his wife where sleeping it popped because their weights combined with the tongue weight (a unit equipped with a furnace) exceeding the rating of the tire. Craig and I did a bunch of research of small tires like that with the idea of putting one on and found non that had a high enough load rating.

Cary
 
Thanks Betsey. I wasn't sure exactly what type of grease to use, as sometimes it can cause more trouble than it's worth (attracting dirt, debris, etc.). I will try that before our next outing and let you know how it works.
Oh, and I would never put a pneumatic tire on the trailer. I have seen a hard rubber wheel, though, that could be an option - but I will see how greasing the piston goes before attempting any major changes.
Thanks again,
Ken
 
Cary,
I won't be trying that kind of a tire, but may look at the hard rubber type if the bearing grease doesn't help.
Thanks,
Ken
 
Bearing grease works great!

I did as Betsey described and greased up the jack - and can now move the trailer around with no problem, maneuvering with precision into it's spot in the garage.
Thanks Betsey!
Ken
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top