BOS Jockey & Stabiliser Legs FAQs
BOS is a well-known name in the caravan industry, trusted for high-quality, heavy-duty gear that makes setting up your caravan quicker, easier and more stable.
At Carac, we’re continuing to expand our BOS range, with more jockey units, stabiliser legs and accessories now available to suit different caravan setups and touring needs.
To help you get the most out of the range, we’ve put together answers to some of the most common BOS questions. From choosing the right jockey unit to measuring for stabiliser legs and understanding which accessories can make setup even easier, this guide is a handy place to start.
>> Browse all BOS products here <<
General
What’s the difference between a BOS Jockey Unit and BOS Stabiliser Legs?
They perform two different jobs on your caravan.
The BOS Jockey Unit is mounted at the front of the caravan on the drawbar. It supports the front of the caravan when it is unhitched and allows you to raise or lower the coupling for hitching, unhitching and levelling the caravan from front to back. Add an optional jockey wheel and it can also help with manoeuvring your caravan over short distances.
The BOS Stabiliser Legs are mounted underneath the caravan and are used to stabilise and level it once you’re set up. They help eliminate movement inside the caravan and can be individually adjusted to suit the site.
Both can be operated effortlessly with a cordless drill, with a manual handle available as a backup. Used together, the jockey unit helps position and level the front of your caravan, while the stabiliser legs provide a stable setup once you’re parked.
What drill should I use with my BOS Jockey Unit and Stabiliser Legs?
BOS Jockey Units and Stabiliser Legs are designed to make setup quick and easy with a cordless drill, while the supplied manual handle gives you a handy backup if needed.
We recommend using a general-purpose 18V battery drill with a minimum torque of 50Nm. Make sure the clutch function is switched on when operating your BOS products. Impact drivers, hammer drills and air tools should not be used.
The patented BOS gearbox uses a unique 12mm drive, which allows effortless operation and also adds an extra level of security compared with a standard 1/2" drive.
Can I travel with my BOS Jockey Unit and Stabiliser Legs fitted?
Yes. Both the BOS Jockey Unit and BOS Stabiliser Legs are designed to remain fitted to your caravan while travelling, which saves you having to remove and refit them every time you set up.
Before hitting the road, make sure the jockey unit is fully retracted and securely fastened, with the base plate, wheel and any extension pipes removed.
The stabiliser legs should also be fully retracted and locked into their travel position. BOS recommends removing the stabiliser base plates when travelling on rocky or particularly rough roads.
How long is my BOS product covered under warranty?
BOS products are backed by a 5-year warranty, giving you plenty of peace of mind.
As with most product warranties, damage caused by incorrect use or accidental damage is not covered. This can include the caravan moving while unhitching and bending the inner pipe, travelling with the unit incorrectly secured, or losing a stabiliser base plate while on the road.
It’s also a good idea to keep your proof of purchase in case you ever need to make a warranty claim. If you’re unsure whether an issue is covered, get in touch with us at Carac and we’ll be happy to help.
>> Browse all BOS products here <<
Stabiliser Legs
How do I measure my caravan for BOS Stabiliser Legs?
To make sure you order the correct size BOS Stabiliser Legs, start by parking and levelling your caravan on a flat surface.
Measure both the front and rear mounting positions, as the heights can differ. Measure straight down from the top or inside edge of the welded U-bracket to the ground. For accurate operation, the stabiliser legs need to sit vertically at 90° when levelling.
BOS Stabiliser Legs are available from Carac in 400mm, 500mm, 600mm and 700mm lengths. If your measurement falls between two sizes, choose the smaller size to ensure there is enough clearance when the legs are retracted.
If you regularly camp on uneven ground or need a little extra reach, 100mm extension pipes are also available to increase the working length of the stabiliser legs.
Jockey Units
Which BOS Jockey Unit do I need – BOS 2, BOS 3 or BOS 4?
The main differences are the clamp size, amount of travel and mounting setup.
The BOS 2 Rib Sidewinder is a 50mm jockey unit designed to fit into your existing standard 50mm clamp. It offers 350mm of extended travel and is a great option if you already have a suitable clamp fitted to your drawbar.
The BOS 3 Rib Gearbox is also a 50mm unit, but gives you a little more adjustment with 400mm of extended travel. You can choose the standard version to fit your existing 50mm clamp, or we also offer a BOS 3 with the heavy-duty double clamp system already included. The double-clamp version is particularly useful on crowded drawbars where space is limited, and the clamps can be adjusted in height to give you some extra flexibility.
The BOS 4 Lug Black Ops is the heavy-duty 60mm version. It is designed for caravans and trailers fitted with a 60mm clamp and uses a larger 48mm stainless steel inner pipe with welded adjustment lugs. It offers 350mm of extended travel.
All three use the patented BOS gearbox with a 12mm drive, can be operated with a cordless drill or manual handle, and are load tested up to 1,800kg in a rigid clamp setup.
In short:
- BOS 2 = 50mm and 350mm travel
- BOS 3 = 50mm and 400mm travel
- BOS 3 Double Clamp = the same BOS 3 with a more rigid mounting system included
- BOS 4 = the larger 60mm Black Ops option
Is a wheel available for the BOS Jockey Unit?
Yes. BOS Jockey Units come standard with the BOS Articulated Base Plate for a solid and stable footing when your caravan is parked, but you can easily swap it for a BOS Jockey Wheel when mobility is needed.
The 8" (205mm) solid rubber wheel makes it easier to manoeuvre your caravan around the driveway, campsite or storage area without having to remove the jockey unit. With a 400kg load rating, it is built to handle the demands of caravan use, while the integrated grease nipple makes ongoing maintenance straightforward.
Simply replace the BOS base plate with the wheel when you need to move your caravan, then swap back to the base plate when you want maximum stability.
What are BOS Extension Pipes for?
BOS Extension Pipes give your jockey unit extra reach when you need more height between the ground and your caravan’s drawbar. They’re particularly handy on taller caravans, uneven sites or when you’ve swapped from a wheel to a base plate and want to regain some of that lost height.
The 120mm stainless steel extension pipe adds an extra 120mm of height to your BOS Jockey Unit and can be combined with additional extensions if you need even more reach. The extension pipe also comes with a Quick Release Pin, making it easy to fit and remove when required.
One important thing to remember: the 120mm extension pipe is designed for BOS Jockey Units only and must not be used with BOS Stabiliser Legs. For stabiliser legs, use the dedicated 100mm extension pipe instead.
Which clamps will my BOS Jockey Unit fit?
The standard BOS 50mm jockey units are designed to fit standard 50mm clamps. If your caravan has a 60mm clamp, you’ll need the BOS Black Ops 60mm Jockey Unit instead.
There are also several mounting options available, including swing-away brackets, double clamps and centre-mount clamps. If you’re not sure which setup suits your caravan, get in touch with us and we can point you in the right direction.
Does BOS offer anti-theft accessories for the Jockey Units?
Yes. BOS Security Screws replace the standard clamp handle, making it much harder for someone to simply remove the jockey unit from your caravan. Each security screw comes with a key, so it’s a simple way to add an extra layer of protection when leaving your caravan unattended.
There are two different thread options, so it’s important to choose the right one for your clamp. The M12 x 45mm version suits BOS clamps as well as various Ark and Optitec clamps, while the 1/2" BSW x 2" version is designed for clamps such as AL-KO, Manutec and Traila A Mate.
If you’re not sure which thread your clamp uses, give us a call before ordering and we can help you select the correct security screw.
We are here to help!
Still not sure which BOS setup is right for your caravan? Our team at Carac is always happy to help you work through the options and find the right combination of jockey unit, stabiliser legs and accessories for your setup.
We’re continuing to expand our BOS range, so there’s now even more choice when it comes to making setup easier, more stable and more convenient.