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

Dennis.....I would think that it would depend on the coach. Some, like mine, only take the pressure off, but still leave the axle down. Some lift all the way off the ground. You bring up a good question and maybe it would be smart to have a way to support (chain) your tag if you needed to remove the tires. I think even if you had a liftable tag, removing only one rim would probably make the opposite side want to press down and angle the axle in such a manner as to cause issues.I think in my case, in an emergency, I would run the tag tires up on blocks, release the air and chain the tag up. Mine would also need the air disconnected as mine goes back into service at 5 mph. I wouldn't have any concern about the weight on the duals, since it would be an emergency issue. It might be a good project to design a chain with hooks or some sort of connector that would fit, if you needed to chain the tag up.

If needing a tire in the middle of BFE (without cell service) I would remove the unmounted spare from my roof and install it... yes I'm still capable of doing that. If no spare then I'd remove one of the tag axle tires and put it where needed and increase the drive axle tires on that side to max pressure. I would take the air line off the airbag on that side and plug it off so it does not push the axle down too far.. Note to self... get a plug that will fit that hose from my shop although you could bend it 180 to seal it off.On the Monaco's that lift the tag we have a pair of air chambers and chains that raise the tag axle. If the side without a tire still needs to be held up then changing the length of the chain would be the easiest way to hold it up BUT the air line would need to be plugged on that side.If you remove both tag tires there is no need to chain it up as the shocks will stop it before it hits the ground BUT you need to make sure the arch that goes over/under the drive shaft is not going to hit it. If it is going to hit, it would be easy to reroute the tag's airbag lines to the air chambers that raise the tag IF you had a pair of male couplings... add two couplings to the list.

Another consideration is do you have the tools to do the work?

One possible issue with just raising the tag is that at speeds over 15 mph it may automatically comes back down.On mine raising the tag drops the air pressure low enough that the rear settles until air pressure builds up again. Than the tag is clear of the ground.

Have you tried to removed it? You need one of those heavy air impact wrenches to remove it or a 20 foot pipe to slide over the wrench to get the torque you need to get the nut off. On the plus side, you can use the leveling jacks to jack it up, so that one less tool you need.

Tag Axle Question | Good Sam Community

Executive45
Explorer III
Oct 15, 2015
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
Explorer
Oct 15, 2015
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
Explorer
Oct 15, 2015
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
Explorer
Oct 15, 2015
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
Explorer III
Oct 15, 2015
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
Explorer
Oct 14, 2015
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
Explorer II
Oct 14, 2015
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
Explorer
Oct 14, 2015
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
Explorer III
Oct 14, 2015
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
Explorer
Oct 14, 2015
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.

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