Tag axles

[Dougjpr]

Do all coaches with tag axles have a option to lift the tag ?

If not, how would you know? If you are viewing coaches online.

I would figure that if I was seeing a coach in person I would be able to find a switch labeled as a tag lift or a dump.

Just curious as I continue to try and learn more about these coaches so I can make an educated decision when/if we decide to buy.

Looking at 2005-2006 model years, mostly Newmars

Thanks

Doug

[Executive45]

On mine, very little adjustment makes a big difference at the axles....Dennis

[Kayteg1]

My vintage Prevost has just regural pressure regulator (common in shops for adjusting air pressure going to tools).
I never played with it, but that sounds like what you are talking about Dennis.
On the other hand, when I drove main axle into the ditch and tag got overloaded, I start hearing over-pressure valve popping, so there is a limit how much you can play with it.

[Executive45]

wolfe10 wrote:
Not sure I agree with the "adjustable from driver's seat".

Adjustable, YES. But having "balanced" many tag axle coaches by finely tuning tag axle PSI using individual wheel position scales, I would think VERY few could do this by feel. And, a mistake here could easily overload an axle and cause a blow out.

To clarify, Doug, I did not say "driver's SEAT. I said the tag should be adjustable by the driver. This is different from a switch on the dash. In fact I know of no mfg that provides this "feature". Many tag axle coach mfgs only allow the mfg or their rep to adjust the tag. Most high end Monaco's allow the driver to do so. Mine has a gauge in the engine compartment that allows me to do just that. I have adjusted it on occasion after weighing my coach...as always, thanks for your valuable insight and allowing me to clarify my statement....Dennis

[wolfe10]

Not sure I agree with the "adjustable from driver's seat".

Adjustable, YES. But having "balanced" many tag axle coaches by finely tuning tag axle PSI using individual wheel position scales, I would think VERY few could do this by feel. And, a mistake here could easily overload an axle and cause a blow out.

[Executive45]

Two things about a tag that I feel are "must haves". First is liftable as it shortens your turning radius and the second is it should be driver adjustable. This means you, as a driver should be able to adjust the amount of pressure placed on the tag at any given time. This allows you to adjust the axle weights on your coach. Heavier the tag the heavier the steer axle, lighter the tag, the heavier the drive axle. Important when weighing your coach and adjusting the handling of it.....Dennis

[Kayteg1]

My 20' Toyota/Dolphin had fixed tag.
My 40' Prevost conversion has liftable tag.
Tags are build for different reason. Toyota used 16' chassis to build 20' coach on it. 10 ' overhang on 20' motorhome is not acceptable.
Lot of gasoline powered motorhome had tag for this purpose. When commercial chassis having originally 4' rear overhang is extended by 8 feet, the tag has to fill up the hole.
On my Prevost tag was build for weigh carrying. Design for carrying passengers, the 6 wheels would not be rated for the weight. My vintage conversion is much lighter and it happen to me to drive 80 miles with tag up not even noticing the difference.
Some chassis have very S***ty suspension that makes white knuckles driving. Adding tag helps to stabilize such animal.
Why liftable on long coach? With tag up, my conversion takes about 8 traffic lanes for U-turn. With tag down add about 3-4.

[S-n-L]

Doug,

I too have a tag that lifts however I do not use it often.

What I think is more important and useful than a tag that lifts is a tag that can vary the pressure on the tag while driving.

This adjustment allows you to change the weight each axle carries. If you are heavy on the steer axle you can reduce the pressure on the tag to move weight from the front to put it on the drive axle.

I am not sure if all tags have this feature but I would want it. Our coach has this and all Monaco, Holiday Ramblers and Beavers above a certain level have this.

Stuart

[DSDP_Don]

Doug.....some tags lift off of the ground and some just take the weight off of them. I think it looks cool when a tag lifts all the way up. Mine only takes the weight off of it.

You would have to do your homework to know which ones do what when looking online. I think once you find that a tag lifts off the ground on one level of coach, like a Monaco Dynasty, you'll know that the Dynasty and the models above it will lift.

I can't think of any Freightliners that lift off of the ground, maybe others can add what brands do what.

[Mr_Mark1]

Some coaches offer steerable tags. Our previous Dynasty had a lifting tag that would lower after a certain mph as stated above.

Our current coach has a 'release pressure' tag. It will not lift totally but will release the pressure so that I'm not dragging the tag tires and can make a tighter turning radius. Putting all the weight on the drive axle might be too much, hence, the 'release pressure' tag.

I can see the rear-end drop a little when I lift the tag. There is a lot of weight back there so the drive axle can 't take all the weight.

MM.

[bluwtr49]

I've never heard of a tag that will not raise. Not to say there aren't any, just haven't heard of them.

[Ivylog]

The big Monaco lift and will automatically go down when it shifts into 3rd if you forget to lower. I rarely raise mine unless I'll be doing several sharp turns. A raising tag would not be on my "Must have list".

[RayChez]

Well Newmars now are using Freight liner chassis which have the lift tag and you can also steer the rear to make turns a lot easier. Most of these are on high end coaches. They also have the Z - TRW comfort drive that some really like.

You might find some Newmars still using Spartan, but they had made the switch to Freight liner a few years back.