Tag Axle Question

[Executive45]

We traveled US95 yesterday through Nevada. (Between Carson City and Las Vegas) If you've been on that road you'll know there's nothing but desert and abandoned towns, or at least one's that should be. Anyway while cruising along I got to thinking about the tires. With that in mind I wondered if I had a flat out there on the tag, could I simply remove that tire and drive on into Vegas? Or if one of the other tires went, could I use one of the tags as a spare? What, if anything would be the result? I understand the tag is there for weight distribution. Reasoning says it would be possible unless you're close to maximum weight. I also thing both tag tires would have to be removed but maybe not. Any "experts" out here that can give me a definitive answer? Thanks....Dennis

[Executive45]

Thanks for the continued responses. This post was not because I was/am concerned with a flat. I was attempting to educate myself as to the feasibility of using a tag tire in another position should an emergency arise. It would appear this might be a viable alternative is nothing else were available. Thanks again for ALL the responses.....Dennis

[nevadanick]

There is plenty of help in Nevada and a tire service truck wouldnt be long getting to you. i travel back roads that are not paved and never worry about it, as sooner or later someone comes along. I also have a sat phone but for some reason dont carry it often unless i know i am going where there is no service.

[vic46]

Kayteg1 wrote:
Have not seen RV yet that would use different tire size on different axles.
Even in commercial application the only trucks having wider front are cement trucks.
Than new technology brought dually replacement with single wide wheel, but that is replacement choice, not factory application.

It is actually quite common.

[ArchHoagland]

Keep in mind that even if you don't show cell service dialing 911 may get you help.

All carriers are required to answer 911 calls no matter who you have cell service with.

There are many small cell companies, especially in remote areas. Mining and logging companies sometimes have their own cell towers. They will pick up 911 calls.

So, just dial 911 and see what happens.

[Ivylog]

Dennis, I would decrease the air pressure in the tag airbags down to 0 (we have a adjustable regulator) and doubt we would have to do anything else with one tire off the rim other than to air up the drive axle tires to max cold pressure and keep the speed down.

I currently have 315's on the front and 11R22.5 on all six rear tires and I carry a 295 unmounted spare tire. When I had 295's all the way around I carried a 275 spare tire (had a good one that size) and if a 295 was not available the 275 would go on the tag and the 295 where it was needed.

[Mr_Mark1]

Kayteg1 wrote:
Have not seen RV yet that would use different tire size on different axles.
Even in commercial application the only trucks having wider front are cement trucks.
Than new technology brought dually replacement with single wide wheel, but that is replacement choice, not factory application.

We have Michelin 365's on the front and tag axle. 315's on the drive axle.

🙂

MM.

[Kayteg1]

Have not seen RV yet that would use different tire size on different axles.
Even in commercial application the only trucks having wider front are cement trucks.
Than new technology brought dually replacement with single wide wheel, but that is replacement choice, not factory application.

[vic46]

Would tire width of the tag tire be an issue? If the tag tires are wider than the dulies there may not be enough space between the regular tire and the tag tire to properly cool the dual tires. I don't know, I am asking.
Vic

[Executive45]

Thanks for the responses. My tag is liftable so that's a non issue. I wasn't thinking about removing the RIM, only the tire. To do that, I'd only need a couple of pry bars. No reason to remove the rim. The only real issue on my coach is I don't have jacks so the front wheels would be a no go. With the drive axle I could drive up on a ramp with the good wheel to allow the bad one to be free. Inside dual would be a problem. Main thing I was thinking was if someone had a flat in the middle of no where, could roadside assistance use one of the tag tires as a spare, assuming nothing else was available. Sounds like it's doable with some caveats. Thanks again. I'll do some more thinking...:E :B....Dennis

[two-niner]

That road is patrolled 4 times each shift.

Think back: the hardest part of the decision is where to pull off and allow room for the tire repair truck. A flat tire flapping around is bound to do some very bad damage. Do you have something to allow the tag to be held off the road?

My Tour only takes the weight off the tag, I'd have to wait for help.

[wa8yxm]

One of the problems is this: The wheels are chosen by the body maker or chassis maker to support the weight of the RV.. If you have a tag axle, this assumes that at Freeway speeds the tag is in use... Lifting the tag puts more weight on the other axles. this can overload the tire so one blowout can quickly become 3 or 4 and you are now stuck.

So drive slow, very slow, and get it fixed ASAP.

[jporietis]

A torque multiplier works wonders in removing lug nuts by hand. I have a 4to1 so it takes less than 150 ft/lbs to get lug nut off

[Bill_Satellite]

Executive wrote:
We traveled US95 yesterday through Nevada. (Between Carson City and Las Vegas) If you've been on that road you'll know there's nothing but desert and abandoned towns, or at least one's that should be. Anyway while cruising along I got to thinking about the tires. With that in mind I wondered if I had a flat out there on the tag, could I simply remove that tire and drive on into Vegas? Or if one of the other tires went, could I use one of the tags as a spare? What, if anything would be the result? I understand the tag is there for weight distribution. Reasoning says it would be possible unless you're close to maximum weight. I also thing both tag tires would have to be removed but maybe not. Any "experts" out here that can give me a definitive answer? Thanks....Dennis

I blew and inside dual on my tag axle coach. It wrapped itself around some of the nearby components but I was able to use a grinder to cut away the junk and loose rubber/metal. I simply drove slower to the next town where the removed the entire tire but had no replacement. I then drove another 45 miles or so to a larger town and put 8 new tires on. At 80,000 miles it just seemed like a good idea.

[Kayteg1]

Executive wrote:
We traveled US95 yesterday through Nevada. (Between Carson City and Las Vegas) If you've been on that road you'll know there's nothing but desert and abandoned towns, or at least one's that should be. Anyway while cruising along I got to thinking about the tires. With that in mind I wondered if I had a flat out there on the tag, could I simply remove that tire and drive on into Vegas? Or if one of the other tires went, could I use one of the tags as a spare? What, if anything would be the result? I understand the tag is there for weight distribution. Reasoning says it would be possible unless you're close to maximum weight. I also thing both tag tires would have to be removed but maybe not. Any "experts" out here that can give me a definitive answer? Thanks....Dennis

I have my coach on the scales and with tag up the rear axle tires are still way below max capacity, so I have no problem here.
One thing about the tires is that they can take even 5x the overload for short period and double weight for long period at low speeds.
But don't try to drive fast with overload. The heat will accumulate and will destroy the tire.
22.5' have 450 ft-lb torque for mounting. I had one torque itself to estimated >2000 ft-lb. I put the original lug wrench with T-shaped bar one end on the stand and other end with 12' pipe to break it loose.