Steering or non steering TAG AXLES/NEWMAR

[Krittergal]

Question for today! We are looking at 15 on up Newmar Dutch Stars, the 40 footers. The 15's have no steer on the tag axle. The 16s on up do. HOW BIG OF A DEAL is it for the STEER on the tag? Does anyone have a tag axle that has no steering? How is it? ALSO, we are looking for a DUTCH STAR 40 FOOTER, 15 or newer, if anyone is looking to sell. TAG AXLE, STEERING OR NOT, and how important is this? THANK YOU SO MUCH for all your insight! : )

[LJowdy]

The only thing I can attest to is my 2016 4369 steers better in tight locations (such as tight RV parks) than did my 40 foot Winnebago which didn't have a tag. The 4369 is shy of 44 feet long. Another thing you didn't mention is comfort drive. I wrote up a whole message on why I found it to be incredible. See: http://www.irv2.com/forums/f103/the-...ve-386980.html

[Algoma]

On the '15 you "dump" the tag axle air suspension which takes the weight off the tires and allows you to maneuver in tight spaces. I don't see that the steerable tag makes these turns any tighter.

[Dutch Star Don]

I think if you find one with or without, I wouldn't make either configuration a deal breaker. Our 2014 40' Dutch Star had the dumping tag. Because it was a 40' with a tag, the drive axle is pushed forward and actually gives the coach a very tight turning radius, which is closer to that of a 37'.

Our 40' 2019 has the steerable tag, which ALSO dumps. The steerable is suppose to give you 13% tighter turns, by pushing the rear end through the turn. Both coaches had dumping tags. I thought/think both coaches maneuvered well in tight spots. It is cool though to look out the window and see the tag turning. We pulled into a small campground today. One shot on a narrow road and I was in. I think many are surprised to see these large coaches turn so sharp.

[Mr_D]

Originally Posted by Algoma

On the '15 you "dump" the tag axle air suspension which takes the weight off the tires and allows you to maneuver in tight spaces. I don't see that the steerable tag makes these turns any tighter.

It doesn't. The tag dumped or lifted in my case works just like a steering tag and I verified this with Freightliner. It's marketing fluff. The drive axle does not move either.

[MD-Keith]

One thing to bear in mind -- with the steerable tag there is a measurable increase in tailswing as the tag is pushing the tail end out in the opposite direction of your turn. Not a big deal, but worth watching in close quarters. All in all, I like having the steerable tag, but as noted above, it should probably not be a deal breaker.

[dons2346]

Newell had a steerable tag for awhile, I think they don't have it anymore.


I would go for a tag that can be lifted off the ground like Country Coach has

[Dutch Star Don]

Originally Posted by Mr_D

It doesn't. The tag dumped or lifted in my case works just like a steering tag and I verified this with Freightliner. It's marketing fluff. The drive axle does not move either.

For the last couple of years, you've immediately followed several of my posts, at least six, where I state that the steerable tag adds 13% to the turning radius of the Newmar coaches. You immediately follow with information that they don't increase the turning radius and know this because you personally called Freightliner as you state above.

Well....you were right.....the steerable tag doesn't increase the turning radius by 13%, it's actually 17%. Here is a video by Freightliner where at minute 1:06 they give you the numbers...….17%. In the second video, the Newmar factory gives the same information. Maybe you should write them and tell them their information is inaccurate!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fAoIJOJt5lg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bd1dwCpvtno

[Norm Mac]

The only people I know that can give a direct comparison are Dutchstar Don and RedBaron73
Don replaced a non-steering 40 foot Dutchstar with a steering 40 foot DutchStar.
Redbaron replaced a non-steering 43 foot DutchStar with a steering 43 foot DutchStar.

The rest of us can only give a general opinion. This opinion is pretty clear among all posts. The steerable may be a little helpful but it is not drastic enough to choose or not choose a particular coach.

For my part, we have a non-steerable 43 foot. I can't remember anytime where I was in a situation that I really wished I had a little tighter turn. I'm sure those situations have existed but it never bothered me enough to even think about it.

Good luck in your search and I can tell you there are far more critical differences among coach choices than whether the tag steers or not.

[Mr_D]

Freightliner stated that a steering tag does not change the turning radius over a lifting tag and if you think about it you can figure out why that is true. The steering tag works as a caster, the drive has no control over the angle it turns. All it does is follow the drive axle as it turns.

[mrfix]

I've been dragging tags around my entire working life and never had a problem with turning radius or tire wear. I see a steerable tag as being more maintenance and potential issues, more complicate alignments and additional purchase cost to solve a non problem. They do present more income for the chassis manufacturer, the coach manufacturer and the maintenance facilities. The idea of a steerable tag just adds more complication to an already complicated piece of machinery.

[featherlite]

I have or had a steering tag but they changed it so now you can dump the tag when driving forward and when you put it in reverse the tag moves forward about 3 " by way of a huge air piston that forces the tags forward . I do not know why it was changed but in the short time I have had it I have had no problems with it

if anyone has info on this I would like to hear it thanks

sorry for the drift

dave

[FLJOE]

Originally Posted by Mr_D

Freightliner stated that a steering tag does not change the turning radius over a lifting tag and if you think about it you can figure out why that is true. The steering tag works as a caster, the drive has no control over the angle it turns. All it does is follow the drive axle as it turns.

To the OP, when you read posts like the above, be sure to check their signature. You will notice that they obviously do not have a Newmar, let alone either model you are asking about. Also, statements like "when I called Freighliner……", sounds like "this one time at band camp....." to me.

I can only verify how my coach handles in tight maneuvering with the steerable tag. We tow a 24' enclosed trailer and I have been able to get into some pretty tight campgrounds without knocking anything over.

I suspect the steerable tag lets you turn slightly tighter but since I have no extended experience in a 43' coach with a lifting tag I really don't know.

Like another Newmar owner said, it wouldn't be a deal breaker for me.

[NealC]

The tag only dumps in reverse. Making forward turns with a steerable tag is probably different from backing up.