Whether you’re hitting rugged tracks for a bit of challenging fun, or heading remote with a camper trailer in tow, the Aussie off-road lifestyle has become a part of our culture.

One of the key elements to an enjoyable, successful and safe 4X4 trip is being prepared for any situation. Knowing how to safely recover your 4X4 in the event of an incident is all part and parcel of the off-road experience, and having the kit and knowledge you need to recover your vehicle is paramount. Here’s a look at some of the recovery elements you need to consider when hitting the tracks.

Recovery Gear for Your 4X4

There’s a lot of different products on the market that are specifically designed to assist in recovering your 4WD if it gets into a situation where it becomes bogged or stuck. To prepare yourself for this, properly rated recovery points should be at the top of your list when you get started. Many people assume that the factory tow points that are fitted to your 4X4 are suitable for recovering your vehicle, but that is simply not the case and indeed using factory tow points (or worse – a tow ball!) can actually be very dangerous and has in the past actually led to fatalities. Perhaps the most versatile and easily fittable recovery point you can put on your vehicle is a Hitch Receiver Bracket and Shackle.

This bracket fits into your tow hitch, but is rated to 4.75 tonnes which means it’s ideal as a recovery point. This recovery point will allow another vehicle to use a snatch or recovery strap to pull you out of any bog hole or other sticky situation, or it’s an ideal point for another vehicle to use as a winch point.

Recovery Gear for your Trailer

You might think that as long as you have the right recovery gear for your 4X4 that you should be right, even if you’re towing a trailer. The thing is, when you’re towing a trailer off-road, whether it’s a light camper trailer or a larger off-road caravan, you’re adding a whole extra vehicle that will need recovering due to increased overall vehicle length and weight. 

To safely get both your tow vehicle and trailer out of trouble, take a look at our recommended must-haves.. Firstly, an off-road jockey wheel such as Ark’s XO750 XO Series Jockey Wheel is worth its weight in gold in an emergency situation where you may need to consider unhitching your trailer to perform a recovery. This jockey wheel can be deployed when seriously stuck to remove the trailer from the vehicle allowing the vehicle to self-recover, reposition and then using the 750kg load rating of the jockey wheel to skull drag the trailer out of its own situation. And not only does it offer the ability to assist in a recovery situation, it’ll also make maneuvering your trailer around at camp easier than ever.

Another accessory that can assist greatly in a recovery situation is a corner steady jack such as Ark’s XO Corner Steadies. These allow you to both stabilize a corner of your camper trailer while at camp, as well as  jack the trailer up to execute a remote tyre change. Certainly handy on a rugged track if your trailer suffers a puncture or a tyre that has rolled off the bead.

Speak to the team at Ark for all your Recovery Needs

Having the gear to recover your 4X4 and your trailer when bush is a hugely important part of heading off-road in Australia, and when it comes to getting off-road and exploring this magnificent country, Ark are the proven experts. They’ve been leaders in trailer parts, towing gear and 4WD accessories for over 40 years, are 100% Australian owned and independent.

Reach out to the team at Ark today to find out how they can help turn your camper trailer into the ultimate off-road home-away-from-home!

While a jockey wheel has a similar function, whether it’s on a small box trailer or a large, off-road caravan, the simple fact is that not all jockey wheels are created equal, and what works for one kind of trailer may not work for another. On one end of the spectrum, a small box trailer will be used periodically for carting a few hundred kilos of load at most. On the other end of the spectrum, a large off-road caravan that’s fully loaded for an extended trip around the country could weigh anywhere from two to three tonnes. The simple fact being that you’re not going to be able to use the same jockey wheel on these two different trailers.

Considerations for Smaller Trailers

A smaller box trailer will predominantly be used on solid surfaces, and if you are not going places where it’s going to be subjected to rugged terrain, soft sand or harsh conditions. Some of the things you’ll want to consider if you’re looking at a jockey wheel for a small box trailer are:

• Do you Need a Wheel: Small box trailers aren’t too difficult to move around without a jockey wheel, and for some people, a jockey stand may be more suitable such as the Ark Standard Jockey Stand, which comes in well under $100. That being said, if your box trailer is fully loaded, it may still be a struggle to move around without a wheel, so consider this carefully.

• Price Point: While the jockey wheel is certainly an important component of your trailer, regardless of how big it is, you probably don’t want or need to go spending hundreds of dollars on a you-beaut jockey wheel that is suitable for any condition. Something along the lines of the Ark Economy Jockey Wheel is around the same price point as a jockey stand, so under the $100 mark and is still rated up to 350kg.

Best Jockey Wheels For Your Caravan

• Features: Consider the features for what suits your trailer and your needs. Do you need a swivel jockey, or will a fixed one suffice? Would a foldable winding handle be beneficial? Ark’s Standard Range of Jockey Wheels are well priced and comes in a range of options that are bound to suit your needs.  

Considerations for Large Caravans

We’ve already mentioned that caravans tend to carry larger loads than a box trailer, but another huge consideration is the locations you’ll most likely be camping. Unfortunately, even the best caravan parks can have poor surfaces, especially in poor weather, so taking things like this into consideration is necessary.

• Off-Road Use: Jockey wheels that are specifically designed for off-road use have a number of benefits that standard jockey wheels don’t, such as sealed bearings, dual wheels and variable yoke locks. The Arx XO Series is the pinnacle of off-road jockey wheels and is an ideal option for any vanner looking to camp in more remote spots. Not only do they have a large 750kg rating, dual wheels and a rust-resistant finish, but their magnetic and removable side-winding handle makes raising and lowering your van easier than ever.

• Ease of Movement: Moving caravans around can be tricky business, so considering a ratchet jockey wheel is a sensational idea for vanners. These units, such as the Ark Ezi-Mover Ratchet Jockey Wheels, enable a single person to maneuver large caravans into positions that are impossible to reach when the van is attached to a tow vehicle. They’re easily operated by rotating the adjuster knobs and give you four functions: forward, reverse, neutral and stop/lock.

Ark Are The Jockey Wheel Experts

When it comes to towing, whether it’s a small box trailer or a large caravan, Ark are the undisputed experts. They’ve been leaders in trailer parts, towing gear and 4WD accessories for over 40 years, are 100% Australian owned and independent.
Consult the experts at Ark today to find the right Jockey Wheel for your Caravan! 

The jockey wheel is an important component of any trailer, but especially a caravan. The thing is, not all jockey wheels are the same, and when it comes to caravans getting one that suits is really important – after all, the last thing you want to ruin your holiday is the jockey wheel to fail!

There are a few things you need to consider when selecting a jockey wheel for your caravan. First, the dimensions of your van, including the size, weight and drawbar height – is a huge consideration, as you’ll want to make sure that the jockey wheel you select can physically handle your van. Secondly, your tow vehicle and any accessories you may have specific to towing, such as a stone guard. For example, if you’re towing a large caravan that has off-road suspension and big tyres with a modified 4WD, the whole setup will be sitting much higher off the ground than if you’re towing with a standard ute, sedan or station wagon. Thirdly, is to consider the kind of destinations and places you’ll be towing your van. For example, if you’re looking at staying at a caravan park in town with a firm base/concrete slab to setup your van, then your requirements will be very different to someone who is looking at doing a lap of the country and setting up at rugged and remote bush sites. 

Once you’ve considered your unique needs, you’ll want to look at the options available. Here are some of the options that you’ll come across and that you should be considering depending on your needs:

Standard Jockey Wheels

A standard jockey wheel, such as the Ark Economic Jockey Wheel, features a 250mm maximum height extension, a solid rubber tyre and is rated for up to 350kg. While a reliable and less expensive option, they are really only suitable for lightweight towing.

Premium Jockey Wheels

Rated up to 350kg with solid rubber tyres and Sunraysia-style powder coated rims, a premium jockey wheel such as these, are a high-quality and stylish option. They also have a few neat little features, such as the Easy-tilt swivel system clamp handle and fold-away winding handle. 

Heavy Duty Jockey Wheels  

For those towing a bit more weight, a Heavy Duty Jockey Wheel, such as this option, is available in either fixed or swivel options and features a high 500kg load capacity and sealed bearings that protect the wheel in an off-road environment. There are Heavy Duty Jockey Wheel options with both 8in and 10in wheels, so whether you’re looking for affordability or ease of movement, there’s an option available.

Pneumatic Jockey Wheels

This style, such as the 10″ Pneumatic Jockey Wheels, features a large 10in inflatable tyre specially designed to cope with difficult ground conditions. That makes them great for off-road use and even towing and camping on sand or other soft sites.

Differences Between Trailer Jockeys and Caravan Jockeys

Ratchet Jockey Wheels

For example, the Ark Ezi-Mover Ratchet Jockey Wheels are designed to easily maneuver caravans weighing up to 2 tonnes on an even surface with minimal effort. They’re easily operated by rotating the controls and feature four functions: forward, reverse, neutral and stop/lock.

Offroad Specific Jockey Wheels

If you’re planning to explore the more remote regions of the country and expecting to camp at remote and rugged campsites that are only accessible to 4WDs and off-road caravans, then you’ll need a jockey wheel to suit. An off-road specific jockey wheel, such as the XO Series, are specifically designed to handle anything the Aussie bush can throw at it. They’re super tough, but they’re also highly versatile with multiple height options, a highly maneuverable trailing yoke design, different yoke locking positions and are available in many sizes, weight ratings and cover most of the styles mentioned above. 

Where to go for more information?

Ark are the experts when it comes to jockey wheels for your caravan. They’ve been leaders in trailer parts, towing gear and 4WD accessories for over 40 years, are 100% Australian owned and independent.

Consult the experts at Ark today to find the right Jockey Wheel for your caravan!