Benefits & disdvantages of dual axle on back?

[BadBoy]

Hi,
I have been looking at several older RV's (around 1997-2000) and have come across some with the dual axles on the back. I'm just wondering what the advantages and disadvantages are for this as it may help my selection.

I see it as more weight, more tires to repair/replace and likely more toll booth cash however I could only assume its a nicer ride?

Any thoughts on this?

[JohnRR]

Along with what you mentioned already it has more braking ability.

[Midniteoyl]

Maybe.. if it has brakes on the tag axle..

I see it just as the OP said: More weight but less mileage, more toll cost, more tire cost, more maint cost, higher purchasing costs, etc...

[Nick-B]

I'm not positive, but I believe all MH tag axles came with brakes. Big issue with older ones is do they still work?

Tag axle also helps with stability especially on the older Ford chassis.

Back in the 80's and 90's when motorhomes started getting longer and heavier, there was no gas chassis that could really handle the bigger coaches properly so a tag axle was a required. By 2000 model year Ford and Chevy chassis were offered with longer wheelbases and higher weight capacity so you don't normally see tags on the gassers after that.

There are good and bad issues but I believe the good outweighs, especially if your coach outweighs a single axle chassis.

[BadBoy]

Thanks all..lots to think about. Thinkin I may pass on the tag axle MH! I appreciate your assistance...as always!

[JohnRR]

I just can not imagine a tag axle on a motor home not having brakes, as far as they whether or not they work the same could be said for brakes on any axle. I can not imagine either that any one would operate a motor home with only one axle worth of brakes but it would not be the first time my assumptions have been wrong

[Wanabee FTer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by BadBoy Hi, I have been looking at several older RV's (around 1997-2000) and have come across some with the dual axles on the back. I'm just wondering what the advantages and disadvantages are for this as it may help my selection. I see it as more weight, more tires to repair/replace and likely more toll booth cash however I could only assume its a nicer ride? Any thoughts on this?

Generally 90's gas coaches over 32' long will need a tag axle to handle the additional weight of a longer rig. Also it helps keep the coach from having "tail wagging" issues due to excessive weight/overhang after the rear axle. Most tag axles have electric brakes.
I am glad I found a good handling rig that does not need a tag axle. I don't need the added expense of tires, wheel bearings and brakes wearing out on an additional axle

[AFChap]

Quote:

more weight, more tires to repair/replace and likely more toll booth cash however I could only assume its a nicer ride?

It would REALLY depend on the chassis and/or coach mfg'er, and what they did in the specific case. I cannot imagine any quality engineered rig less than 39 ft requiring/having a tag axle (but there are some on the road). In some cases they were tacked on to compensate for an inadequate chassis under a too heavy coach (but what did that do to the front axle weights?) ...in some other cases they were properly engineered from the start. I would proceed with extreme caution in dealing with a tag axle coach below the 42 ft diesel category...

[SteveLevin]

Quote:

Originally Posted by AFChap It would REALLY depend on the chassis and/or coach mfg'er, and what they did in the specific case. I cannot imagine any quality engineered rig less than 39 ft requiring/having a tag axle

Back on the Ford F53's with 16" wheels it was a matter of tire load capacity. With a 16" setup you only have 11,000 pounds of carry capacity on that axle -- and heck, with my 30', with 70 gallons of fresh water and 75 gallons of fuel plus out odds and ends, we are at 10,500 pounds.

Once Ford went to 19.5" wheels you had tires that could carry a lot more weight and the issue went away.

Steve