HELP Perplexed about Tag or No tag axle?

[HohoDad]

I have narrowed my quest for a new to me coach down to two. (Maybe I should say my budget has narrowed it down) A toss up between a 2000 - 2002 40’ Beaver Marquis and a 2000 - 2002 42-45’ Monaco Sig. I lean towards the Beaver other than I am thinking I want a tag axle so I don’t have to worry about weight loading. Any impute is appreciated.

Cheers

Ted in Seattle

[SteveSkinner]

Get the tag
No debate
It's not just about weight, the extra axle makes a huge difference in cross winds and passing not to mention a better ride

Steve
( with a tag)

[Mike Canter]

Not sure what you mean about having to worry about weight loading. Can you further amplify your concerns? Once you have a tag you will never go back because of the ride comfort and stability. If you watch this forum for a while or search through you will see RVers on a constant mission to do things to stabilize their non tag mhs in crosswinds ride comfort and reduce the interference from passing trucks. With a tag you have none of those concerns.

[Bruce C]

All the above. The only done side is they love you at the tolls

[336muffin]

^^^^All of the above, I went tag a year ago and fully understand what others have told me. Plus another axle with brakes. Just yesterday, I had the satisfaction of hand polishing six wheels! LOL I don't believe I will go back. There is nothing wrong or unsafe about a single axle, but I prefer a tag. Oh and welcome to the forum Hohodad.

[dmason]

Another vote for tags. And besides the toll booths the tire dealers will also love you.

[Mike Canter]

That is only two tires extra per 6-8 years and that is well worth it. Don't ever drive on I-95 through NYC across the G Washington Bridge with a tag axle and a toad.....$60 it will cost you and you can't turn around.

[John Haggard]

Tag only

[justaroamer]

Tag only. Stability, ride, and driving peace of mind. Don't forget about safety. Monaco 40' currently park neighbor with no tag blew rear dual and other tire blew because it couldn't handle the additional weight once the first one blew. Also cost him a wheel before he could get stopped. Tag may have helped in this case.

[Twomed]

Tag coach hands down choice...you will not regret it!!

[Steve Ownby]

The possible problem with Beavers in that age range is that it is during the transision period between ownership by Safari/Beaver and Monaco. In 2000 the Safari/Beaver company was struggling and was purchased by Monaco in 2001. Monaco continued manufacturing in the old Beaver plant for a few years when Beaver production was moved to the Monaco plant in Coburg.

There were more quality issues during this period than was typical for Beaver. This does not mean that a Beaver from this era would not be a good coach, just something you should be aware of before you make a decision. You are looking at a couple of very complex coaches and it's nice to have tech support available. Records available to the tech support guys for the coaches built before production was moved to Coburg in '05 is spotty at best.

In the interest of full disclosure, I full time in an '03 Signature and could not be happier. Its been our home for almost 5 years now.

Good luck & safe travels

[HohoDad]

Thanks Everyone. All good points, in my past life I have converted 2 Prevost so the thoughts of handling without a tag never crossed my mind.
Steve you bring forward some very good points about the Beaver, a lot of the companies who supplied the systems are no longer in business. A good example is the under body AC. Thanks

Ted staying out of the snow in Seattle.

[bucks2]

No, no, no, it's not worth the extra money for those extra tires. And think about the difficulty manuvering. That extra length will keep you from ever even thinking about going to a state or national park. Many older RV parks can't accept any rig long enough to have a tag axle. The extra maintenance cost is prohibitive. You'll have more flats because the duals pick up the nails and then the tag tire runs over it. There is no weight problem on a 40' MH. That's all hype.

Those reasons and more will be eagerly thrust at you during certain discussions. I'm will all the other posters above, you can't go wrong with a tag. I've got mine, wouldn't trade it for the world.

ken

[Mike Canter]

Ken, you wouldn't believe it on how upset I got reading the first part of your post. I said to myself , here is one of those guys who has never owned a tag.. Then I got to your last paragraph and really started to laugh.. You got me good on that one