Make your T@B easy to push/pull in gravel or dirt with a 10" Croft Pneumatic Wheel Kit!

VictoriaP

Croft has updated their double pneumatic swivel wheel, it now has flat free tires. https://www.crofttrailer.com/tjwk20-sff-croft-flat-free-wheel-kit-with-swivel-feature/ Price has gone up another $10 as a result.

For those of us who’ve had the Purpleline mover installed, a flat foot is not useful. I do currently use a double plastic wheel for hard surfaces, of the type Sharon_is_SAM posted, as well as the pneumatic Frankenwheel of Dalehelman’s design. The difference I see between the Frankenwheel and the Croft is the position of the cup that pins to the jack post—the Frankenwheel has the cup positioned well over the axle and indeed above the tops of the tires, while the Croft puts it at axle height. The biggest problem I have with Frankenwheel is the amount of torque that extra height seems to place on the jack post when the Purpleline is in action. You can see it wobble as the trailer moves. The Croft should hopefully be a bit more stable, and the flat free tires address the problems with using pneumatics that have already been mentioned.

I’ve not had any real issue putting the Frankenwheel on or off and did not need to cut the post to use it, but I do have a Boondock. The Croft sitting several inches lower should address that problem at least somewhat too, though.

Bayliss

@VictoriaP............figures they would come out with a flat-free version right after I purchased one.  Ughhh.  I may contact them and see if they will send me a pair of wheels.  Thanks for the info.

VictoriaP

Bayliss said:

@VictoriaP............figures they would come out with a flat-free version right after I purchased one.  Ughhh.  I may contact them and see if they will send me a pair of wheels.  Thanks for the info.

I know, right? Sorry for the hassle. Have you had a chance to try yours yet? Would love a review before I hit checkout.

Bayliss

@VictoriaP, no, I have not yet tried it out.  My three planned trips for this year were cancelled due to Covid-19.  All I have done is hold the Croft set-up next to my jack tube to confirm there will still be plenty of room for moving the jack tube up and down, and there is.  I didn't expect a problem since my trailer is the same as yours.  It is a very well made product, so I think you will be happy with it.

I probably won't fret about not having the flat-free tires.  The inflatable tires will likely roll better on softer surfaces and I intend to always carry the stock jockey wheel "just in case" something happens to one or both of the inflatable tires.

Denny16

@Bayliss, Greg, if you want the Airless flat free Croft, I will buy you’re inflatable Croft wheel unit, and you can reorder the new Flat Free wheel set.  I am in SF Calif area, so shipping should not be too much.  

Cheers

Bayliss

Thanks, @Denny16.  I have decided to stick with the inflatable tires, for the reason I indicated in my earlier post.  I appreciate the offer.

Mouseketab

The inflatable set appears to be discontinued. The flat free link is https://www.crofttrailer.com/tjwk20-sff-croft-flat-free-wheel-kit-with-swivel-feature/

Bayliss

JUST AN FYI.........I contacted Croft regarding their change to the flat-free tires, mainly to inquire as to whether there is any issue with the inflatable tires.  This is the response from their tech support representative:

"We were not intending to switch to the flat free version as much as we were forced to switch.  Due to the wuhan covid virus our supplier could not supply the wheels and tires in a timely manner.  It was going to be at least six months.  We did not want to turn down sales due to a lack of supply.  We decided to switch to the flat free version which they had in stock.  This allowed us to keep selling a product that people were asking for.  I have not had a single customer contact us about the tires popping."

They do sell the flat-free tires, but it's pretty pricey - - $37.95 each.

Dalehelman

If you have the pneumatic tires and are concerned about a flat. Add green tire slime Available at Walmart and carry a tire pump manual or electric. 

johnfconway

We are glad to have this wheel kit. It makes jockeying trailer to drop perfectly over hitch ball a breeze. If you have a T@B 400, don't expect you'll be maneuvering the trailer at will on gravel. I couldn't find the earliest posts, but the pushing it around with ease must have been a 320?

Pjknoble

So the double pneumatic swivel wheel from Croft with the link at the top will work on a 2021 T@B 400 Boondock?

VictoriaP

Pjknoble said:

So the double pneumatic swivel wheel from Croft with the link at the top will work on a 2021 T@B 400 Boondock?

If you read the most recent posts, Croft does not stock the pneumatic set currently due to procurement issues. Instead, they are stocking a flat free version. https://www.crofttrailer.com/tjwk20-sff-croft-flat-free-wheel-kit-with-swivel-feature/ Mine arrived today, and I hope to test it tomorrow on my 320. Looks to be very good quality, and yes, this will support a tongue weight limit of 600 lbs, so should be fine for a 400.

HOWEVER, as noted by others, you’ll need to have a fair amount of brute strength to move a 400 by hand on even a smooth paved surface. I’m not convinced it’s worth the money for use with a 400 unless you have the powered trailer mover that some of us have added to our rigs.

Pjknoble

Thanks @VictoriaP. Understood.  I am getting the Quattro as well, but that will be a few weeks yet.

VictoriaP

I had the chance to test the new flat free double jack wheel from Croft with the Purpleline Enduro trailer mover yesterday. Just a driveway test, so concrete aggregate with a grade ranging from 6-12% in spots.

Verdict: pretty good. The cup mount sits much lower than my Dale Helman-inspired double pneumatic Frankenwheel, and it’s clear that the lower cup mount puts less strain on the jack post when the trailer is moving under its own power. The way the cup sits between the wheels makes it a little awkward to get the pin in there, but that’s my only real complaint. The tires are a bit squeaky when underway compared to a hard plastic wheel, and they’re definitely grippier, but at the same time they’re less grippy than the pneumatics were on the same surface. No sliding on the sloped aggregate, not so grippy that they resisted changes in direction. Overall, I’m pleased.

I think this is a decent upgrade for any Purpleline owner. The pneumatic version, if it ever returns, might be the better choice...my pneumatics have deeper tread and are a touch wider, and between those features and the grip of a softer tire, I suspect they’ll outperform the flat free on softer ground. But for most campgrounds, the flat free is likely to be sufficient. Either is an improvement over the stock wheel for a Purpleline equipped trailer, and I think it’s an improvement over the double hard wheel that’s been my default for the last year as well.

EDIT: please read SteveW’s reply below. The pneumatic may not be a good option for Purpleline users on hard surfaces. 

SteveW

I have a purpleline mover on a 320 outback and with the croft pneumatic there is an issue. Spinning in place under mover power distorts the sidewalls of the tires and drags them across the tarmac. The turning radius seems to be too tight for the jockey wheel to rotate and realign to the direction of movement.  Since I installed the mover exactly for this (tight radius turns to line up with storage unit) - these pneumatics have not been used more than once and I am back on the factory provided hard wheel.

VictoriaP

SteveW said:

I have a purpleline mover on a 320 outback and with the croft pneumatic there is an issue. Spinning in place under mover power distorts the sidewalls of the tires and drags them across the tarmac. The turning radius seems to be too tight for the jockey wheel to rotate and realign to the direction of movement.  Since I installed the mover exactly for this (tight radius turns to line up with storage unit) - these pneumatics have not been used more than once and I am back on the factory provided hard wheel.

Interesting to hear, and what a bummer! I did see similar behavior from the pneumatics on my homemade double pneumatic on hard surfaces. I did not see it to any significant extent with the flat free Croft in driveway testing, though I totally agree the swivel radius is not as tight as the stock wheel. As a result, if you’re maneuvering in tight quarters, you may need to nudge the trailer one way or another more frequently to get the front wheels to turn the correct direction.

That said, I’m not convinced there’s any significant advantage to using a softer or larger double wheel on flat hard surfaces with some tooth, like tarmac. My standard sized hard double that I bought with the Purpleline originally performs fine in those situations, and I feel it outperforms my stock single wheel that came with the Tab in terms of maneuverability. I wanted the Croft for packed dirt and gravel sites where the smaller hard wheels have more trouble, and it does seem slip less so far on the exposed pebbles of my steep aggregate driveway. (Aggregate...never again! Terrible traction.)

Kr@cken

Just got my Croft dual tires today and having trouble getting it on the jack. Anyone have any hints. I have tried lithium grease but the fit just seems too tight so when I drop in the post it pushes the plate down. Not possible for me to mount or remove by myself. What is working for you? 
Thanks

VictoriaP

Kr@cken said:

Just got my Croft dual tires today and having trouble getting it on the jack. Anyone have any hints. I have tried lithium grease but the fit just seems too tight so when I drop in the post it pushes the plate down. Not possible for me to mount or remove by myself. What is working for you? 
Thanks

@Kr@cken, mine had no issues fitting onto the post at all. Getting the pin in was awkward compared to a “normal” jack wheel due to the cup being between the wheels, but that’s to be expected and doesn’t sound like what you’re experiencing. I wonder if the cup on yours is somehow a fraction smaller?

Kr@cken

I think it must be. I’ll reach out to the company tomorrow. Thank you for the feedback. 

Kr@cken

Greased things up and fit is OK. Now I have no idea how to get the pin in place. Is this the same model you guys have?

VictoriaP

Swivel the wheels 90° (at least, I think it was that far) while holding the cup in place to align with the holes on the post prior to installing. It still takes a bit of maneuvering, but you can line up the holes on both cup and post with the wheels askew so you can get the pin slotted in.

Bayliss

@Kr@cken, this post is in response to your personal message to me, which was inadvertently posted to the "Activity" section.  (See also my personal response in your Forum inbox, or personal E-mail, on how to send a personal message to a Forum member):

I agree with the mounting procedure described by @VictoriaP.

You basically want to have the tread of the two Croft tires pointing toward either the driver or passenger's side of your trailer.  That will allow you to align the holes on the swivel mount "cup" (for lack of a better term) of the Croft jockey wheels with the holes on your T@B jack tube.

IF you want to straighten the Croft tires in a front-to-rear orientation, just maneuver (push/pull) the front end of your trailer until the wheels rotate to the position you desire.

Please post on this discussion thread to let us know it that works for you.  Good luck!  (Greg)  

Kr@cken

Thank you so much. Rotating took care of the problem. I don’t know how I missed that asa an option. Really appreciate the assistance and love the feel of the new tire.

glan

I just purchased the Croft dual wheel flat free tire kit and so far am disappointed. It doesn't seem to maneuver any easier than my stock  plastic wheel, even on packed gravel. The wheels simply don't want to swivel when I try turning left or right. Perhaps I just have too much weight on the front hitch. I have a 2018 Tab 320 CS-S with the spare tire mounted on the front hitch. Anyone else having this issue? Perhaps I have it mounted incorrectly. It swivels freely  on pavement but not on gravel. 

Dalehelman

@glan
Thats exactly what I found out. I have since gone back to a single 6” ball bearing Urethane wheel I found at HF. In soft gravel or dirt I use a couple plastic jack pads like this.

sharfie

@Dalehelman
Did you buy the wheel already mounted? I went on the HF website and could not find that wheel. And, where did you find the orange pads?

rfuss928

The original pneumatic jockey wheel on our 2009 T@B has an axel offset from the pivot greater than the radius of the tire.  This "caster" makes the wheel swivel readily whenever any side force is applied.  IMO, most of the posts I've seen on retrofitting a wheel to the jack post seem to lack adequate caster in the design for easy pivoting. 

Have fun!!

Dalehelman

You are correct HF doesn’t show it on their website. Here is the same wheel except with a swivel instead of a rigid caster. In unfortunately it’s 4 times the price. If you have a HF store I would check their inventory. The jack pads can be found at most RV stores or Amazon.

Service Caster Brand 6 Inch Heavy Duty Swivel Caster Wheel Polyurethane Wheel – 900lbs./Caster – Swivel Plate Caster with Roller Bearing
by Service Caster Corporation
Learn more: https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B07HGC1N37/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_imm_awdb_0MVGKGR62YCZ7Q63JTDY

sharfie

@Dalehelman Thanks for the information and pardon my lack of knowledge but, is there a way to use this on our jockey wheel set ups? I have a 2018 320 and i can't see how the caster in the link would attach.

Dalehelman

Just take the wheel off by removing the 1/2” bolt. Then replace the old wheel with the new one using the original swivel mechanism. Using whichever bolt fits best. You do not use the swivel from the new wheel.