ARK 10” Pneumatic Jockey Wheels - Caution

[DaveR]

Hi Swaggers
I decided to share this is it is not something I noticed immediately when buying my new ARK 10” Pneumatic Jockey Wheel for the CT.
This link is from the ARK web site for the jockey wheel I have, it clearly says 350 kg's rated.
http://www.arkcorporation.com/p/3342/u-bolt-swivel
But when I got it, and looked for Tyre inflation pressure guidance, I see the Tyre has a load rating of 136 kilos only.
Long way short of the 350 advertised.

I have been looking for an alternative 10” Pneumatic Wheel and best I find so far is rated to 200 kilos.

Buyer beware they say...
Bugger that, I have contacted ARK already and shall get them to look into it.

Cheers
Dave

[Brad_m]

Take it back and get a refund as it's not as advertised and clearly not fit for purpose.

Then avoid anything sold by them.   

[DaveR]

For the sake of sharing info, I'll give more details of this.
Speaking with the folk at Ark, it seems they are not aware of the fact the tyres fitted to these jockey wheels are of a different weight rating.
Makes you wonder what checks are made when they design and make them...... 
In addition, is seems there are next to no tyres on the market anywhere of this size which will take 360 kilos.

There are adds on evilbay for jockey wheels that look identical to the ark jockey wheel, but these have a weight rating on the tyre of about 70 kilos and have advertising of "Heavy Duty", Noice....

Now I understand why everyone bitches about pneumatic jockey wheels, they are overloaded from the start and will fail.

At this time, I am waiting for Ark to decide what they'll do about it, thing is, I want a Pneumatic Tyre for the CT.

Cheers
Dave

[Bookleaf]

I know it does not solve the purchase/weight claim problem, but there are "solid" pneumatic tires that look look the real thing but are filled with foam.
I think they have a higher load rating than straight pneumatic tires. 
And they are puncture proof and do not self deflate!!

Maybe the supplied tire could be replaced with one of these.

[DaveR]

Thanks Bookleaf.
I've got to go somewhere and have a look at some, but can't help but think on a gravel patch they won't roll as well as pneumatic.
I found 10 inch pneumatic wheels which can take 225 kgs at blackwoods, best so far online.

[BurnsOil]

Silly question, why do you need a capacity of 300kg at the jockey wheel.  A ball weight of 150kg for a camper trailer is rather heavy and if the ball weight is 150kg, the jockey wheel weight will be less - at least that is what I think I can remember from Physics/Engineering after a few beers.

[DaveR]

Its not that I need the 300 kilos as a constant weight, but rather, have the capacity for it for intermittent use to cover random peaks in weight when moving about.
Plus when the jockey swings around with steering the CT about the place, the load on the tyre is increased, if its only good for 136 kgs, this will make it fail eventually, I hope to have something that will last.
Hope that explains it.

[Marschy]

I know it does not solve the purchase/weight claim problem, but there are "solid" pneumatic tires that look look the real thing but are filled with foam.
I think they have a higher load rating than straight pneumatic tires. 
And they are puncture proof and do not self deflate!!

Maybe the supplied tire could be replaced with one of these.

I had one, they develop flat spots and use tyres that have ratings as previously stated. For me, mine was a waste of money and I ended up purchasing a 10 inch Ark solid rubber racket jockey wheel.

[DaveR]

I have a result, not what I had hoped for but a result.
The good folk at Ark have said "Oh Bother" we didn't know about the tyre being such a low rating. They are going to make amends.

In the time being, I found another which fits the same rim which can take 180 kgs and is a strong tyre also. Can be found on this site:
http://www.richmondau.com/wheels-rollers/steel-centred-pneumatic-wheels.aspx
In the middle of the selection are the 260 mm dia wheels. Then your axel size is needed to know which wheel to buy. It is going to be a very small gap, but am told by a specialist trolley tyre supplier it will fit with a few mill on each side to spare.
This is for anyone who may wish to upgrade tyre load when replacing a pneumatic wheel or tyre.

If your looking to get tyres of Evilbay, check the rating, as many don't list it or don't want to give you the details.

As for me, for bringing this to the attention of the Ark folk, I am being sent a swing down jockey stand for nix....  Mr Ark, noice, I'm now happy.

Regards
Dave

[Bird]

Its not that I need the 300 kilos as a constant weight, but rather, have the capacity for it for intermittent use to cover random peaks in weight when moving about.

I think your worrying a lot about nothing. I think your maybe expecting a lot from such a small tyre to have such a high rating.

I too have stuck with a solid.. although almost unmoveable in sandy ground.

[McGirr]

Have a small piece of flat timber in the camper so if you have a solid wheel it's easier to move no matter what surface your on.

Mark

[DaveR]

I think your worrying a lot about nothing. I think your maybe expecting a lot from such a small tyre to have such a high rating.

I too have stuck with a solid.. although almost unmoveable in sandy ground.

Reason for me to look into it in the first place was the tyre fitted to my 2 day old jockey wheel was not looking the way I would expect it to at the correct inflation pressure.
Now, after 2 weeks, with several movements around the driveway, the side wall is "bulging".
You have answered the reason why I took of the 10" solid, and now going through this.
With the 180 kilo rated tyre I'll pick up soon, I think it will be fine.

[Topender]

I have a result, not what I had hoped for but a result.
The good folk at Ark have said "Oh Bother" we didn't know about the tyre being such a low rating. They are going to make amends.

In the time being, I found another which fits the same rim which can take 180 kgs and is a strong tyre also. Can be found on this site:
http://www.richmondau.com/wheels-rollers/steel-centred-pneumatic-wheels.aspx
In the middle of the selection are the 260 mm dia wheels. Then your axel size is needed to know which wheel to buy. It is going to be a very small gap, but am told by a specialist trolley tyre supplier it will fit with a few mill on each side to spare.
This is for anyone who may wish to upgrade tyre load when replacing a pneumatic wheel or tyre.

If your looking to get tyres of Evilbay, check the rating, as many don't list it or don't want to give you the details.

As for me, for bringing this to the attention of the Ark folk, I am being sent a swing down jockey stand for nix....  Mr Ark, noice, I'm now happy.

Regards
Dave

Can I ask how much the new tyre is?  I have the same issue as yourself, but mine is the ratchet jockey wheel although mine was free from my old man .  My Outback Swan has a max ball weight of 173kg so to those questioning the need, that is getting there and as you said at 30psi the standard wheel is pretty much flat.  I must admit I didn't notice the max load rating, but my solution is at present to slightly over inflate and hope for the best......I know not safe or ideal hence the pricing inquiry.

Dave

[Barry G]

Thanks Bookleaf.
I've got to go somewhere and have a look at some, but can't help but think on a gravel patch they won't roll as well as pneumatic.
I found 10 inch pneumatic wheels which can take 225 kgs at blackwoods, best so far online.

A link for that would be handy if you have it.

[MrCruza]

Can I ask how much the new tyre is?  I have the same issue as yourself, but mine is the ratchet jockey wheel although mine was free from my old man .  My Outback Swan has a max ball weight of 173kg so to those questioning the need, that is getting there and as you said at 30psi the standard wheel is pretty much flat.  I must admit I didn't notice the max load rating, but my solution is at present to slightly over inflate and hope for the best......I know not safe or ideal hence the pricing inquiry.

Dave

The new tyre I just fitted to mine is rated for 160kg @ 50psi, so I think you may be a but under inflated. Check the pressure rating on your sidewall..

[Topender]

The new tyre I just fitted to mine is rated for 160kg @ 50psi, so I think you may be a but under inflated. Check the pressure rating on your sidewall..

Definitely 136kg @ 30psi.  With 50psi it is reasonable "so I've heard".  I'm waiting for it to go bang like the one in the thread from the other day, then I will have to do something about it. I only use it at home anyway as I have a solid that I take away.  I use it to turn my camper and to get it into the garage as I face my camper draw bar in because it gives us better access and is a better fit.

Dave

[DaveR]

I got one, must be the same as MrBitchi, 160 kgs at 50 psi.
The tyre was a better fit into the jockey wheel frame to that of the 180 kg tyre which has different width and dia.
Cost was $21 from a shop known for charging....
The CT wheels around on the same driveway a lot easier now with the new tyre.

[maverick01]

There must be a problem with ARK crap.

As we have a camper trailer thats roughly 14months old and lately it hasnt received as much use as i would like but i went out there the other day to fiddle with it and discovered the bearings in the jockey wheel itself have given way causing the jockey wheel to fall sideways and jam up in the jockey wheel bracket.

So now what i have to do is remove the jockey wheel and replace the bearings with quality bearings. Yes this is a 10inch solid wheel.

So anyone with a ark jockey wheel, I would advise you to replace the bearings with something you can rely on asif you have to drop the trailer when travelling for some reason you still wnat to be a ble to shift the trailer around.