A jockey wheel carries the detached trailer's drawbar load, not the trailer's total payload. AL-KO's VT jockey wheel page says the choice depends on two values: the stationary nose load while parked, and the manoeuvring load allowed while the trailer is moved.
Stationary load and manoeuvring load
AL-KO's FAQ gives a clear example: a model designed for a stationary load of 500 kg may only be suitable for 300 kg while manoeuvring. Compare both values before choosing a model.
Worked example
Example data: trailer 2,500 kg, nose load 250 kg (the real value is read from the trailer plate). A 500 kg stationary model gives twice the nose load in capacity. Against the 300 kg manoeuvring limit, the load uses 83% of the rating and leaves a 17% margin. If the margin is small, consider the next class up. The two Suer models fit this calculation as follows:
| Model | Max. static load | Wheel | Outer tube | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A 110 | 1,000 kg | 280 × 65 mm solid rubber tyre | Ø 70 mm | Fully automatic |
| DM-432 | 2,000 kg | 310 × 90 mm steel balloon wheel | Ø 90 mm | Bevel gear, semi-automatic |
A 2,000 kg DM-432 on a 250 kg nose load gives eight times the stationary capacity. The cost is a larger tube and a bevel gear drive. For this reason the final decision is made together with how often the wheel is lowered and the ground.
Tyre and ground
AL-KO notes that on soft or uneven ground, wide or pneumatic wheels are often better suited than compact solid rubber wheels, and that wider solid rubber wheels spread the load better on soft ground. The A 110's 280 × 65 mm solid tyre therefore suits firm, level ground, and the tyre width needs checking separately where the ground is soft. The wheel type, solid rubber, pneumatic or steel balloon, is chosen for the ground; the same stationary load rating does not mean the same behaviour across types.
Tube and how often the wheel is used
AL-KO lists tube diameters of 48, 60, 70 and 73 mm. The outer tube of the A 110 is Ø 70 mm and that of the DM-432 is Ø 90 mm; a wheel whose tube does not match the mounting cannot be fitted, whatever its load rating. AL-KO also points out that semi- and fully automatic versions make extending and retracting easier, which matters for trailers that are moved often. On the trailer side, the clamp or flange size, the fixing pattern and the folding clearance are checked against the place where the wheel will be fitted.
Three pieces of information decide the choice: the stationary nose load on the trailer plate, the manoeuvring load of the exact model, and the ground on site. Send these three to Aris Makina and we will check the model together with the tube size and the mounting.
