Community Forums

txaggies1983 · 10-20-2019, 11:16 AM

We are days away from signing final paperwork on Newmar Ventana 4369. We considered Ventana single axel. We’d like to hear thoughts on both...any regrets with dual axel? Any regrets single axel?

96 Wideglide · 10-20-2019, 11:33 AM

I think the only people that 'regret' owning a tag axle coach, are those that dislike having to replace two extra tires every few years.

Milford 47 · 10-20-2019, 12:02 PM

Tax axles are much easier to sell down the road and all around just a step up
Nothing wrong with the single axle coach either

Very glad I went with the Tuscany 42GX tag and would do it again

MSHappyCampers · 10-20-2019, 12:11 PM

Hi ! Welcome to IRV2! We're sure glad you joined the gang!

We went with a 40' coach without a tag axle. Didn't want the extra tire expense, plus something else to go wrong!

Good luck, happy trails, and God bless!

96 Wideglide · 10-20-2019, 12:29 PM

Ha!

Can always count on Joe to chime in a tag axle thread, to explain how uneconomical they are to own

!

777 Driver · 10-20-2019, 12:36 PM

We had a 2009 Monaco Diplomat 40SKQ with a single axle.

We currently have a 2018 Entegra Anthem 42DEQ with a tag axle.

There is no doubt that the Entegra drives much better; not sure how much of that is attributable to the tag axle. Different chassis, different axles (independent front vs. solid axle), different weights, etc. Too many variables to presume that the tag axle is the reason for a better driving coach. However, it seems pretty apparent that the tag axle would give greater stability and better braking capacity

A couple of considerations:

1> Be careful of axle weight limits with a single rear axle. On my Monaco, I had to be careful not to exceed the rear axle weight limit. On the Entegra, I'm way under the limits for the drive and tag axles.

2>The wheel well space taken up for the tag axle diminishes your basement storage volume capacity.

Take care,
Stu

96 Wideglide · 10-20-2019, 12:46 PM

As far as tires goes, my steer tires are replaced when they are 5 yrs old. The old ones are mounted on the tag axle rims, and run in that position for another 5 yrs.
Every 5 yrs this practice will be repeated.

Ivylog · 10-20-2019, 02:25 PM

Stay on the porch if you cannot afford $1200 every 10 years for greatly mproved handling and unlimited CCC. Once you've owned a tag axle coach you'll never go back to a non tag. Multiple 750+ mile days are easy with a tag...wind or semis do not push you around.

A 42' tag will have a better turning radius than a 40' non tag...wheelbase is shorter on the tag coach.

Gary RVRoamer · 10-20-2019, 02:38 PM

This seems to me a rather pointless question. It's not like you get a choice of axle count for a given size and type of coach. You get the number of rear axles needed to carry the weight - if it's long and heavy enough you get an extra axle. Therefore you choose the size coach you want and the chassis engineers give you the necessary axles to support it.

In exchange for the greater carrying capacity, you get the following pros and cons:
1. Greater cost up front and two more tires to buy in later years

2. A small advantage in ride comfort under certain road conditions.
3. Less basement storage than a similar length coach without a tag (if there is such a coach)
4. Some increase in turning radius (unless its a steerable tag)

jcussen · 10-20-2019, 02:40 PM

Should start a thread asking people that went from a tag to a single rear axle coach, and thought it was a big improvement.

asuperheat · 10-20-2019, 03:50 PM

I have a 42' with a tag, a friend I travel with a lot has a 40' single axle. I have a much better turning radius because of the 60 degree wheel cut vs the 55 on the single axle. Not a little, a lot. I believe the wheel base is within a couple of inches on our chassis.

It may be a question of tag, wheel cut and IFS. Up to you at the end of the day but for me the turning radius alone makes the tag chassis worth it for me. My Tour has a slightly better turning radius than my prior Excursion 35B did! It also handles very well and 2 extra tires to replace is a fairly small thing when you get to this level of RV and all the other cost associated with it.

bucks2 · 10-20-2019, 08:28 PM

Typically the 40' will have single rear axle and 42/43/45's will have a tag axle. When someone says you "lose basement space" it's deceptive. You get 3 more feet of length which is the room taken by the tag. Actually the 40 and the 40+'s will have just about the same basement room.

The CCC however is beyond question. Add 10,000 lbs of capacity with the bigger rigs. Instead of pushing or more likely being over the limit, you've got a nice cushion.

And the handling? Anybody that doesn't LOVE the handling of a tag axle unit hasn't adjusted the tag axle to carry the correct amount of weight.

It costs more to buy, it costs more to maintain, it costs more to buy tires. If your budget doesn't allow for that, then don't get one. RVing is meant to be fun, not a struggle to be able to pay for it.

Dutch Star Don · 10-20-2019, 10:12 PM

The OP is kind of asking a silly question. He says he's signing on the dotted line for a 43', but apparently thought about something smaller. Well, Newmar 40' coaches all come with tag axles. He would have to buy the 37' to get a single rear axle. Was he that undecided?