Driving 36 or 38ft MH vs 40ft w/o tag ax

[Atom Ant]

Originally Posted by skypilot_1

but you lose basement storage compartment space as well.
.

A little, but you also gain length with the tag which recovers some of that space.

[RVRon]

Originally Posted by vincee

I would think having to worry about four more $500-$600 tires to replace would also be a consideration for some when deciding between tag or no tag axle. There are some out in the RV world that want their motor homes to drive, ride, and perform like a BMW! They won't.

A tag only has 2 tires. So instead of 6 tires total it's 8.

[Atom Ant]

Originally Posted by twinboat

Wouldn't the wheelbase be longer between the front axle and drive wheels on a DP ?

Maybe I'm wrong but I thought the tag was ahead of the drive axle.

I've seen it that way on semi tractors, but I think all MH the tag is in the back. I just looked at one the other day (I think was Freightliner chassis MH) that had a steering tag axle that turned with the front so you didn't have to dump it.

On edit - it was a Spartan - pretty cool

Spartan Chassis

[B Bob]

Wheel base length and steer wheel cut angle are the two factors in turning circle. We have a very long wheelbase 42' coach, but we can lift the tag to shorten that wheelbase when we need to turn sharp. And our coach has IFS with a sharp cut on the front wheels.

So when you are looking at coaches check the angle cut on the steer tires.

I will not advise you to get a short wheelbase as that causes all sorts of other problems. Like wander down the road at freeway speed.

[skypilot_1]

Originally Posted by B Bob

Wheel base length and steer wheel cut angle are the two factors in turning circle. We have a very long wheelbase 42' coach, but we can lift the tag to shorten that wheelbase when we need to turn sharp. And our coach has IFS with a sharp cut on the front wheels.

So when you are looking at coaches check the angle cut on the steer tires.

I will not advise you to get a short wheelbase as that causes all sorts of other problems. Like wander down the road at freeway speed.

Tag is behind drive (turning radius point) axle. Wheel base is distanced from frt axle to drive axle. The tag tires lift to not scrub the pavement as they slid across the ground on tight turns.

[hydro45640]

Floor plan is more important than lenght of the coach.

[Crasher]

The extra expense of a tag axle is minimal. Two more tires at a cost of $500 each over eight years is $125/ year. divided by 8000 miles per year amounts to 1.5 cents per mile. A pretty small price for the added stability, load carrying capacity, shorter turning radius and additional braking that the tag provides. The cost is insignificant when added to the overall cost of motor home ownership.

[Atom Ant]

You can let floorplan desires dictate length, or length dictate floorplan.

We started out looking only at tag axles because I was under the illusion they were an option for increased Cargo Capacity. I quickly learned they were just an engineering factor associated with length and weight so we instead focused on the floorplan we liked and didn't care how many axles it had.

[Sandy Swede]

Thanks to all who have responded. I am leaning a lot. Although I would have to push up the purchase price, I am liking the idea of a gently used early 2000's 40ft Monaco Dynasty. Any other comparable tag axle coaches in the 40ft range I should consider? The added stability of the tag axle in windy conditions and dealing with passing semi's is very appealing.

My major angst in pulling the trigger on the purchase of a used MH is outlined in a post under the title "No guts, no glory."

Again thanks, you guys are great and make this a valuable forum.

[Steve Ownby]

Originally Posted by Sandy Swede

Thanks to all who have responded. I am leaning a lot. Although I would have to push up the purchase price, I am liking the idea of a gently used early 2000's 40ft Monaco Dynasty. Any other comparable tag axle coaches in the 40ft range I should consider? The added stability of the tag axle in windy conditions and dealing with passing semi's is very appealing.

My major angst in pulling the trigger on the purchase of a used MH is outlined in a post under the title "No guts, no glory."

Again thanks, you guys are great and make this a valuable forum.

The Dynasty in that ago range are great coaches. You might consider some of the Country Coaches in that age range as well.

[NC25T]

As stated drive them all and feel the difference

Get the floorplan you want

a longer, heavier and more expensive RV will almost always ride and handle better (wind, irregular roads etc) vs a smaller RV. However if the interior of the RV isn't what you like, need or want how it handles doesn't really matter

Drive as many as you can and get the floor plan you want. As stated if it ends up having a tag 2 tires every 8 years shouldn't brake the bank

[koda59]

We have a 41 ft 6 inch 2008 Thor Four Winds Mandalay with the single rear axle. We have a 60 inch turning radius. It has the IFS. we enjoy the ride. we have no problems with trucks passing us. We love the floor plan. For us he floor plan was the most important thing for us.

[skypilot_1]

Originally Posted by koda59

We have a 41 ft 6 inch 2008 Thor Four Winds Mandalay with the single rear axle. We have a 60 inch turning radius. It has the IFS. we enjoy the ride. we have no problems with trucks passing us. We love the floor plan. For us he floor plan was the most important thing for us.

What are you talking about....maybe you mean a 60 degree frt wheel cut. But I doubt that, as most are 55-56 degrees.

[ahicks]

Clueless regarding the "cut" angle on our old straight axle Freightliner (38' overall), but I can tell you that when maneuvering with the wheels hard over, it seems like I'm literally going sideways in the driver's seat.

I consider it very maneuverable getting into and out of tight places.