How Much Better Does a Tag Axle Drive?

[barmcd]

Does a tag axle make a coach drive and ride better? Does it improve one better than the other?

[Mr_D]

Hard to say. Both our 38'/FL chassis and 41'/Spartan chassis non-tag Dutch Stars were never a problem. And I can't really say the Magna is any better handling just due to the tag. There are many, many factors that go into good handling, not just a tag axle.

[tankcj]

Originally Posted by Mr_D

Hard to say. Both our 38'/FL chassis and 41'/Spartan chassis non-tag Dutch Stars were never a problem. And I can't really say the Magna is any better handling just due to the tag. There are many, many factors that go into good handling, not just a tag axle.

I would think better braking? Better turning radius since the drive axle is moved up? And for sure it would be more stable in a crosswind?

[Mr_D]

Originally Posted by tankcj

I would think better braking? Better turning radius since the drive axle is moved up? And for sure it would be more stable in a crosswind?

Well, the other rigs all had air drum, this one has all wheel disk so yes it can STOP! But is the difference due to more tires on the ground or just the disk better than drum? The Magna is some 8 tons heavier than the DSDP too.
The drive axle is only a few inches closer than on the last DSDP. I do know that I can put the 45' rig into any spot I could get the 41'er, unless the spot is only 41' long. Putting the rig into it's spot beside the house is about the same swing too. I do have to remember to lift the tag though and go slower.
Haven't had any REAL crosswinds with the rig to know. As I said, the others were pretty stable at all times too and I have had strong sidewinds with the 41' rig.

[Crasher]

I have had several non tag coaches and I thought all of them drove and handled fine. That is until I drove our current tag coach. I can't see us ever going back to a non tag motor home. Go test drive a few and see for yourself. Be sure and drive it in a cross wind and have a semi pass you. Then you will know the difference.

[Sky_Boss]

The improvement is "relative" to what you are comparing it to. Coming from a 39' gasser to a 43' DP with a tag...I'M IN HEAVEN!

I seldom feel any challenges to my skills and safety due to cross winds and trucks passing me. Yes, I still feel some affects of high speed trucks and strong, gusty winds but this situations made me cringe in my previous gasser.

[JohnBoyToo]

I will certainly defer to the experts on the forum,
but, IMHO, the tag is more for the carrying capacity than anything else and typically on only coaches that are 42' plus if I remember correctly.

Since longer usually means heavier our steer axle is like 12k lbs and the drive + tag axles are about 23k lbs... so one axle would have been grossly overloaded...

[smlranger]

I agree with Sky Boss. I went from a gas coach on a P32 chassis to a 36' DP on a Freightliner chassis, no tag, to my current 42' coach with tag. The difference in ride and handling between the gas and the 36' non-tag DP was pretty significant. The switch to the 42' with tag was again significant in terms of its ability to deal with cross winds, passing semi's, and stopping ability. Situations that were downright scary, white knuckle, episodes with the gasser just don't seem to cause concerns with the tag axle coach.

The best advice has also already been given..... go drive one in cross winds or on a highway with trucks and see what you think.

[tankcj]

Originally Posted by JohnBoyToo

I will certainly defer to the experts on the forum,
but, IMHO, the tag is more for the carrying capacity than anything else and typically on only coaches that are 42' plus if I remember correctly.

Since longer usually means heavier our steer axle is like 12k lbs and the drive + tag axles are about 23k lbs... so one axle would have been grossly overloaded...

Really? Usually I see tag axle alone with a gross rating of about 10k and drive axle at around 20k. Interesting.

[mel s]

Originally Posted by JohnBoyToo

I will certainly defer to the experts on the forum, but, IMHO, the tag is more for the carrying capacity than anything else

JohnBoyToo
I agree
However because i've never owned a coach heavy enough that it needed a tag axle I might be wrong.
Mel
'96 Safari

[ficodek]

I went from a 39' non-tag to a 40' tag, and the difference is dramatic in terms of handling crosswinds, passing trucks, road crowns, etc. Some of that is attributable to Newmar Comfort Drive (a truly amazing thing) on the new rig, but I believe that having more rubber on the road in those two more tires makes a difference too.

[wnytaxman]

The current cut-off for tag axles seems to be around 40 feet. Newmar makes a tag on a 40 foot coach but all the others of which I am aware seem to go to a tag once the coach approaches 41 feet or more. Just an observation from a dedicated tire kicker.

[Crasher]

The tag offers more than just load distribution. Years ago, I went from a 34" gas to a new 36' gas with a tag axle. There was a world of difference in the ride and handling in cross winds. We have friends that have a 97 Pace Arrow on a Ford chassis with a tag axle. He also commented on what an improvement the tag made. That third axle will add stability to any vehicle.

[mel s]

Originally Posted by Crasher

The tag offers more than just load distribution. Years ago, I went from a 34" gas to a new 36' gas with a tag axle. There was a world of difference in the ride and handling in cross winds. We have friends that have a 97 Pace Arrow on a Ford chassis with a tag axle. He also commented on what an improvement the tag made. That third axle will add stability to any vehicle.

That third axel also adds some "maintenance and tire expense" which is not required on non-tag coach.