Community Forums

BudtheDiplomat · 04-30-2008, 03:12 PM

Friends;

This afternoon Mrs.theDiplomat asked me, "What is the real difference between one rear axle and two?" I know what she is not saying. She wants a coach that floats down the highway and bumps are seen but not heard/felt.

Besides the obvious weight capacity, and of course, increase in overall GVWR, tell me your experience.

Is anybody out there who has owned one rear axle, then a tag, or vice versa?

Brenda & Tony - you have a tag. Beautiful, I might add...I looked at your coach pictures. Did you own a single rear axle before?

I'd like to know things like ride quality difference, power difference, did your mileage worsen/improve, pros and cons.

BudtheDiplomat · 04-30-2008, 03:12 PM

Friends;

This afternoon Mrs.theDiplomat asked me, "What is the real difference between one rear axle and two?" I know what she is not saying. She wants a coach that floats down the highway and bumps are seen but not heard/felt.

Besides the obvious weight capacity, and of course, increase in overall GVWR, tell me your experience.

Is anybody out there who has owned one rear axle, then a tag, or vice versa?

Brenda & Tony - you have a tag. Beautiful, I might add...I looked at your coach pictures. Did you own a single rear axle before?

I'd like to know things like ride quality difference, power difference, did your mileage worsen/improve, pros and cons.

loranimal · 04-30-2008, 04:12 PM

I went from an 05 40PDQ Diplomat to an 07 42PDQ Camelot. As you stated CCC went from around 3600 Lbs to over 9000Lbs. The ride seems a lot more stable. You still feel the bumps some, but road manners are much smoother. Less sway and porpoising. Both had the 400 HP ISL, the Dip was a little quicker off the line and up the hills. About the same in MPGs. Don't notice any loss as far as basement storage is concerned. Those 2-3 feet inside make a big difference. I'll be sticking with tags from now on if at all possible.

popeye · 04-30-2008, 06:05 PM

Bud I had the 05 Endever which is a twin to the Diplomat.I now have the 07 Camelot 42' W/tag.The biggest difference I have noticed is the smoother ride.I would think because of the added weight and wheel base.Eng and Tran are the same.Lost speed on mountian driving. I think because the camelot runs at lower rpm.The Endever at best down hill was 6 MPG.The camelot is consistant at 9 MPG.The Camelot 42'3AC Endever 40' 2AC.Camelot Int wood is solidwood.Endever is vinyl wrap.However saying all this the HR sceptor is the twin to the camelot.My coach has about all available options because it was a show coach.

BudtheDiplomat · 05-01-2008, 09:44 AM

Thanks guys;
You confirm what I expected. I really like the Diplomat, but like every American, keep the DREAM for bigger and better.

Oh-one · 05-01-2008, 02:42 PM

I can give you a idea of going from a 32ft. Itasca with a Freightliner chassis to a 42ft. Holiday Rambler Imperial with a 10 bag Roadmaster with a tag. The 32 felt every side wind, the 42 feels it but doesn't react as much. It has paid off in this trip through Texas with winds blowing 20-30+ mph. I would have worked a lot more with the Itasca. The down side is you have to remember to lift the tag in tight turns. I would never want to go back to a single again.

Mbl Cndo · 05-02-2008, 11:18 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">The down side is you have to remember to lift the tag in tight turns. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>You have to what?

Les Stallings · 05-02-2008, 05:12 PM

You don't actually have to lift the tag in tight turns; it is just less wear on the tires since you change to one pivot point instead of two. It also reduces the wheel base creating a tighter turning circle.

The basic rule is if less than 15 miles per hour and making a right angle turn, lift the tag. If you forget to lower the tag, once you go above 15 MPH the tag will automatically lower. The dinging bell is a clue that you forgot to lower the tag axle.

Most people that drive a coach with a tag axle never want to go back to a single axle coach. Tag axle owners pass trucks with ease while non tag axle owners are white knuckled when the truck is passing them. Side winds are much less of an issue with the added stability of a tag axle coach.

Of course I'm biased...