Tag Axel

53,000 pounds - wow! Our last weight was only 37,000 loaded for winter and with a full gas tank (full-empty-empty on the other tanks). We're like a Mini Cooper by comparison.

The Phaeton tag can be dumped manually for a tight turn and it dumps automatically when backing.

Does having a liftable tag mean you have one less axle/set of tires on the road at toll booths. Dump truck drivers here have to pay only for what's on actually on the road, so they always go through with the lift axles up.

Mr.Mark wrote:

GMandJM wrote:
One good thing about a tag is that you pretty-much don't need to worry about being over your weight limits. The less-good thing is that because the tag takes up space, you have less basement space to carry "stuff" there.

Golden-HVAC is right: You're more likely to not fit into a campsite because of your length, not your width (some exceptions, of course). Our coach is functional with any/all slides in, so it's never been an issue.

Unlike Dennis' fancy Executive, the tag on our 42' Phaeton isn't liftable.

The tag on our previous coach (Monaco Dynasty) lifted. On our current coach, the tag releases pressure but still carries a partial load but allows for a tighter turning radius. At 53,000 lbs., the tag still needs to carry some weight.

MM.

MM, YOURS weighs MORE than mine..:h. Damn, now I'M gonna have to start looking at new coaches...:W.....Dennis

GMandJM wrote:
One good thing about a tag is that you pretty-much don't need to worry about being over your weight limits. The less-good thing is that because the tag takes up space, you have less basement space to carry "stuff" there.

Golden-HVAC is right: You're more likely to not fit into a campsite because of your length, not your width (some exceptions, of course). Our coach is functional with any/all slides in, so it's never been an issue.

Unlike Dennis' fancy Executive, the tag on our 42' Phaeton isn't liftable.

The tag on our previous coach (Monaco Dynasty) lifted. On our current coach, the tag releases pressure but still carries a partial load but allows for a tighter turning radius. At 53,000 lbs., the tag still needs to carry some weight.

MM.

One good thing about a tag is that you pretty-much don't need to worry about being over your weight limits. The less-good thing is that because the tag takes up space, you have less basement space to carry "stuff" there.

Golden-HVAC is right: You're more likely to not fit into a campsite because of your length, not your width (some exceptions, of course). Our coach is functional with any/all slides in, so it's never been an issue.

Unlike Dennis' fancy Executive, the tag on our 42' Phaeton isn't liftable.

There was a period of time when a lot of manufacturers were making larger coaches without a tag. By the time the owner loaded them up with some basic items they were overweight. When the exemption for RV's came into play, all it did was provide a little extra CCC so that these large coaches were not overweight when they rolled off the show room floor.

Our friends have a 40' Camelot that measures over 41+ feet. It has a ton of storage because there is no loss of room for the tag axle. It can easily be overloaded.

In the last few years many coaches are seeing tag axles added. One of the reasons I bought my Newmar was because it's the only true 40' on the market with a tag.

Tag axles have many advantages, not just one or two. They add weight carrying capacity, extra braking, straighter tracking, eliminate porpoising and one that is often missed. They'll turn sharper than the same length coach without a tag. The reason being, is that the drive axle is pushed farther forward making a shorter wheelbase, without giving up the ride of a long wheelbase. The steerable tags turn in sharper.

Lastly, as one person asked, slides are generally smaller on Class A motor homes. The reason being, you have to be able to traverse the interior while underway. Your large TT's and fifth wheels are often impassable inside because the slides meet each other. Often their designed to let you get to the bathroom or refer, but not to the entire coach.

Skid Row Joe wrote:

Kayteg1 wrote:
If you need tag axle for driving straight, you start from wrong point.
Tag axles are for extra weight carrying and on good coaches they are liftable.
I had my vintage Prevost park in spot with sharp turn required, so lifted tag for better turning.
200 miles later I start thinking "did I lower the tag down?"
I did not and could not tell the difference in driving but fact is that it was slower driving in weekend traffic.
The tires on bus conversion operate at 60-70% of weight carrying capacity, so dropping another 30% is not posing any danger.

Not entirely accurate.

Tag axles are for braking purposes, first and foremost. Everything else is gravy, or non-essential. The fact that their GVW rises significantly, is icing on the cake. The beauty of the tag axle comes into play when in a sudden cross-wind, as well as the fact that a tag axle coach RIDES significantly better/smoother.

SRJ, you're messing with us aren't you! :R

LOL!

MM.

STEVEP220 wrote:
I own a 38" DP with 1 slide.

38 inches? That's only 3' 2". Wow, that's a very small coach. You'll be happy with anything over 40 feet. ;-)

Ivylog wrote:
I'm a little surprised that we have not seen some larger DPs without a tag axle. In 2012 an exemption for MHs was added to a highway bill that exempted RVs from the 20,000 lb federal single axle limit. Granted Newell's and Prevoist's with a tag needed this higher 24K for their drive axle.

Skid Row must have gone off the wagon... again. Tags only for extra braking

If I forget, my lifting tag will go down when the tranny shifts out of 2nd gear, not at a certain speed.

Uh.....no. Tags are not for braking only.:S Re-read post(s).

I'm a little surprised that we have not seen some larger DPs without a tag axle. In 2012 an exemption for MHs was added to a highway bill that exempted RVs from the 20,000 lb federal single axle limit. Granted Newell's and Prevoist's with a tag needed this higher 24K for their drive axle.

Skid Row must have gone off the wagon... again. Tags only for extra braking :S

If I forget, my lifting tag will go down when the tranny shifts out of 2nd gear, not at a certain speed.

Kayteg1 wrote:
... "did I lower the tag down?"
...

Not a problem with today's coaches. On my coach, at 8 mph, all six rear wheels go to the travel position automatically.