Forum Discussion

noteven's avatar
noteven
Explorer III
Jul 22, 2021

Tag axle for truck camper rigs

Tag axle article

Code 13 Roll the Weight Police

edit - quoted from the article:

"In 2017, after several people showed interest in purchasing our unit, I decided to design a tag axle to sell. We faced two initial challenges. Number one was to submit a “Request for Interpretation” to DOT/NHTSA. That process took 18 months, moved through NHTSA Chief Crash Avoidance Office to Chief Counsel and resulted in a favorable interpretation of the design. NHTSA, Chief Counsel, determined that the unit would be considered a trailer not a tag axle and would carry its own GVWR. The designation was as a Weight Distribution Truck Camper Trailer (WDTCT) requiring a VIN number, lights and brakes."
Truck Campers
  • Lwiddis's avatar
    Lwiddis
    Explorer II
    Jul 22, 2021
    “Nicky” used a tag axle mounted just aft of the coupler to carry some of the weight of “Tacy’s” long, long trailer.
  • n0arp's avatar
    n0arp
    Explorer
    Jul 22, 2021
    Kayteg1 wrote:
    n0arp wrote:


    Also, it looks like it would diminish the ability to leave the pavement - a large benefit to having a truck camper in the first place.

    Don't you worry.
    When crossing the ditch, the axle frame will bend to shape under 12,000 lb load.


    I'm just visualizing dropping the rear truck axle off a 10" shelf, which is out of downtravel range on a lot of trucks, and getting hung up on this contraption with the rear truck tires up in air. You'd have all the weight on this and have to use 4x4 or momentum (which means going over a drop like that too fast) to pull it off with the front tires. Fun, and likely to damage something. Maybe I'm unusual in the places I pick to camp, but I think the ability to get further than other campers is a major selling point for TCs.
  • Kayteg1's avatar
    Kayteg1
    Explorer II
    Jul 22, 2021
    n0arp wrote:


    Also, it looks like it would diminish the ability to leave the pavement - a large benefit to having a truck camper in the first place.

    Don't you worry.
    When crossing the ditch, the axle frame will bend to shape under 12,000 lb load.
  • Kayteg1's avatar
    Kayteg1
    Explorer II
    Jul 22, 2021
    Over the years I have seem TC build with their own tags, I have seen tag wheel mounted on the receiver, yet after a decade or 2 I have never seen them on the road, or campgrounds.
    Do you think this is going to be different?
    That set sure will screw your turning radius.
    Not even talking about crossing the ditches.

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