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Old 02-20-2018, 07:34 AM   #1
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Difference in driving between 40' non tag and 43' tag

We're looking at a 43' tag coach. I'm curious about feedback from anyone who has gone from a 40' non tag to a 43' tag and what to expect?

Was it much more difficult to back into spots?
Is the turning radius much different?
Are you able to fit into "40 foot" spots at campgrounds that don't offer 45 ft spots?

Thanks in advance.
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Old 02-20-2018, 07:59 AM   #2
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I have not owned both, but I did a lot of research and asked this question myself.

Here's what I learned.
1) The turning radius is dependant on the wheelbase and the front wheel's cramp angle (amount the wheels can turn, Like 50 degrees versus 60 degrees).

The length doesn't matter because you can have a 40 footer and 42 footer with the same wheelbase length. One just has more "tail" after the rear axle).

2) On Backing up, it makes no difference, it all about #1.

3) Road stability is very dependant on the chassis construction and overall weight. But a tag axle does make the coach more stable. Note that a tag axle can be found on rigs starting at 38ft.

I have been told that some parks will tell you a 42 footer won't fit where a 40 foot will (really 24 inches is going to make a difference?). I booked my last site telling them I had a 40 footer (since the website said 40 ft was max). Then you get to the site and find out the parking spot is 65 feet deep (enough for coach and a toad). Now if you tow a full size size car or pickup, the extra 3 feet (from 40 ft to 43 ft coach) with a 20 foot pickup in tow might make a difference.
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Old 02-20-2018, 08:32 AM   #3
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The tag axle coach will have a tighter turning radius. This is because the tag lifts at slow speed when you turn the steering past 35 degrees and the wheelbase is now shorter than the non-tag coach.

The tag axle air bags are adjustable. To do it properly, the coach should be weighed front and back and then you adjust the air pressure to place the correct load on the front axle.
The only down side to a tag is the cost of the extra tires and the loss of basement storage.
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Old 02-20-2018, 08:35 AM   #4
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43 ft is best
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Old 02-20-2018, 08:45 AM   #5
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Some downsides of tags.
1. Extra weight
2. Extra rolling resistance
3. More tires to replace
4. Lower mpg due to 1 & 2
5. More to maintain.
6. Less storage.
7. More for tolls.
8. More cost to initially build.

For me these were enough I did not want a tag.
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Old 02-20-2018, 08:48 AM   #6
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We have owned single rear axle30, 38, and 40ft coaches. We now have a 43ft DS 4369. This is far and away the best driving of all. Certainly the comfort drive helps a lot. But a tag axle on 40 plus coach makes a real positive improvement.
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Old 02-20-2018, 08:53 AM   #7
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Went from a 40' non tag rig to a 45' rig with tag. Can still get into the same spots, still get into the spot beside my house too as the new rig has lifting tag and greater wheel cut.
On the road the ride is better.
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Old 02-20-2018, 10:42 AM   #8
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When we we're looking at buying, a couple of friends of ours warned us against going larger than a 40' coach, they both had 40' coaches. They said there we're so many campgrounds that they went to that we wouldn't fit and we would regret having the extra length.
So far we have gone everywhere they have.
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Old 02-20-2018, 11:02 AM   #9
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I have owed 40' without tag and 40' with tag, I will take with tag every time, the extra braking power alone is a BIG plus.
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Old 02-20-2018, 12:30 PM   #10
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It's the wheelbase and front wheel turning angle that matters.

I won't buy a coach (the next time) with a wheelbase over 270 inches (unless the front wheels turn 60 degrees or more).
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Old 02-20-2018, 01:12 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by vito.a View Post
The tag axle coach will have a tighter turning radius. This is because the tag lifts at slow speed when you turn the steering past 35 degrees and the wheelbase is now shorter than the non-tag coach.

The tag axle air bags are adjustable. To do it properly, the coach should be weighed front and back and then you adjust the air pressure to place the correct load on the front axle.
The only down side to a tag is the cost of the extra tires and the loss of basement storage.


We owners of Monaco coaches have the flexibility of an easy tag air bag adjustment. Coaches on Freightliner and Spartan Chassis don’t have that flexibility. Their tag is governed by a proportioning system and though it may be adjustable, the Chassis builders don’t want to do it.
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Old 02-20-2018, 01:22 PM   #12
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Mike, Our 40' Patriot Lexington has a WB of 264" (22'), its a sports car!!
Give me 40 acres and I'll turn this rig around......
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Old 02-20-2018, 01:42 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Stretch View Post
43 ft is best
I have heard the exact same thing, but I love my 40.
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Old 02-20-2018, 02:13 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cruzbill View Post
Mike, Our 40' Patriot Lexington has a WB of 264" (22'), its a sports car!!
Give me 40 acres and I'll turn this rig around......
Ha. You got the sports car handling alright.
My Patriot Thunder has a wheelbase of 287" (24 feet), that is twice the wheelbase of my F250 pickup truck (and that is even hard to U-turn).
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