Tag Axle-Pluses and Minuses

[midasman]

Still looking for my next rig. Wondered if you guys with tag axles would buy one again. Does anybody feel they are not worth the trouble? Would you guys with tags ONLY buy a rig with the tag?

Repeating my question about Aquahot. Is the maintenance/repair worth it to have heated floors and instant hot water? My 2 Propane furnaces and gas/120 volt water heaters all work VERY well from a reliability standpoint. I do NOT winter where it is COLD...
I am actually looking at the Entegra Aspire so far--2010--2013. Dutch Star w/ Spartan, IFS and Comfort Drive also looking good, if not more expensive...
Thanks in advance, guys.
Pete

[Two_Jayhawks]

Like several others we are on our third DP, first was 36', then 40', both non tag. Looove the tag as well as not carrying LP.

[Kayteg1]

My vintage Prevost has liftable tag, but it is only 15 tons conversion, so tag is "not must".
I lift the tag for sharp turn from the storage.
Once it took me 100 miles drive to realize my tag was still up.
No noticeable difference in handling.
From what I remember from no-tag 40-footer - crossing ditches at angle was pretty unpleasant, but how often you do that?

[Ivylog]

Like Dennis, this is my third DP and like him and MM tag and AHot is now on my MUST HAVE list. I would even add Girard awnings to the list although I'd probably find one for $3000 instead of $$$$.

Because of a change in the max axle weights for MHs... you can now get one with a single 24,000 rear axle which will give you decent CCC without a tag. I would still want a tag because of the improved handling on curvy road and windy days when passing trucks.

[bluwtr49]

I'm on our second coach but the first with a Tag. The handling and stability is wonderful. As has been said the tag is for the additional weight but the handling is a great side benefit. Is it a "Must Have"??? Not necessarily as there are a lot of 40' and smaller without tag axles that still ride and handle very well.

Aqua Hot, I would never buy a coach without Hydronic heating. Our previous coach had a Hurricane system which I almost like a bit better but any of them are great.

[Blaster_Man]

We've had both. We bought the coaches we liked that had the features we liked. One was a tag one was not. Of course the tag rides better and has more carrying capacity, two more tires. Get the floor plan you like.

[Mr_Mark1]

Obviously a tag axle is there to carry extra weight. I don't know of many coaches that offer it as an option. The weight dictates a tag axle.

The pluses are that it helps prevent porpoising and forces the coach to drive straighter. If you are going over a speed bump, the drive axle pops up and is softened on the down side by the tag axle.

In the event that you are noticing wear on the front tires, you can switch the tag tires to the front. We did that with our Dynasty when we got a bad alignment at Colton Truck in Colton, CA. I didn't catch the beginnings of extreme wear until Nashville. We got a perfect alignment at TAFA (Truck Axle Frame and Alignment) in Nashville.

A diesel fired furnace system just can't be beat. First, it's pulling fuel from the huge on board fuel tank so there are generally no worries on running out of fuel as long as you start full.

Our previous coach had Aqua-Hot and our current coach has a Webasto system (similar to AH) with a 20 gallon water tank (electric/diesel) along with a tankless system for the shower.

MM.

[Executive45]

I've owned three DPs...a 40' Tourmaster non tag, a 40' Dynasty non tag and my current Executive with a tag and AquaHot. In answer to your question(s) both the tag AND the AquaHot are must haves. My wife likes long hot showers and there's no out time for the water heater to regenerate. I jump in right after her.

The tag is also a must have. The ride and comfort driving is second to none. The ONLY advice I'd give you is to ensure the tag is driver liftable. I can flip a switch and the tag lifts allowing a sharper turning radius and keeps the tag tires from dragging sideways on the pavement....Dennis

[Kayteg1]

I did own 40' Country Coach build on Gillig chassis and had no complain about 2 axles.
Before I did own 20' Class C on Toyota with 3 axles and that thing suck.
So even tag axle adds stability, well build coach can ride well without one, while giving you more storage space and less maintenance.
Than you have to remember that on heavy coach the tag axle is a must due to allowed weight on rear axle and there is no way around it.
I hear about Prevost owners turned around on turpikes due to over weight on the rear axle regardless tag axle.
Also if you tow, tag axle will be appreciated.
Bottom line, if the overweight of the axle is not an issue - drive what you like and see how it handles.