Community Forums

Jman812 · 02-07-2023, 12:16 PM

Hello, Looking to see if anyone else has had this come up before. When starting the coach I will get this error, but checking faults comes up empty. Coach has ~26k on it.

Thanks for any help. Jason

pasdad1 · 02-07-2023, 12:24 PM

When you go to start….do you turn key to ignition “on” (but not “start” and wait at least 5 seconds (until fuel gauge registers fuel level) ? This gives all the computers in the different areas time to sync up on the network before trying to start engine.

If you already do this, my apologies, as even some repair folks “quick start” the engine (like you would do on a car) and this causes lots of these intermittent types of issues.

Jman812 · 02-07-2023, 01:03 PM

Thanks for the reply. I understand what you are saying - I am not doing a 'quick start'. I would guess its between 5-10 seconds before I crank the engine after switching to 'on'.

Rd1 · 02-07-2023, 03:16 PM

if you dump the air, do you hear the tag axle air get dupmerd? then try to air up the tag and see if it airs up.

Another step to try, turn off the chassis batt switch for a few minutes, turn it back on and see if that clears the comm error

Also, did you have tag axle tire wear issues previously, the 16-17 freightliners had some issues with the tag alignment

Ajhyman · 02-08-2023, 07:18 PM

Hi If you have any Questions about your Chassis Best to call 1-800-FTL-Help they can help you. I have a 2019 Essex with frieghtliner chassis I get a Error when i start Coach up , What they told me is have to wait to Air Builds Up then goes away .

Jman812 · 02-09-2023, 07:37 AM

Thanks for the replys. I will be back to the coach next week to give the air dump and chassis batt switch a try. I did talk to freightliner and their response was to bring it in. I was just hoping maybe someone has had that issue with some insight. My tag axle tires are wearing very nicely, but it does appear that the tag axle is offset to one side, but most if not all others I have seen same/similar year are the same way. Never did understand why.

Rd1 · 02-10-2023, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jman812

..... My tag axle tires are wearing very nicely, ......

Degree of tire wear is dependent on the extend of misalignment. If alignment is OUT OF factory specifications even by a small measure, there will be tire wear. It just takes longer to visually notice for most people. Tire wear is still there. This 2017 LADP appeared to have just noticed tag tire wear at 35k last summer!

Another relevant factor, if there are any misalignments, there will also be some measure of pulling issue while the unit is in drive. However, with Newmars and the comfort drive (CD), pulling/misalignment issues generally are masked. CD can not differentiate between a cross wind and/or a misalignment pull on the steering. The CD will attempt to correct the pull.

For those who may not notice misalignment pulls with the CD, you may want to disconnect the CD. Drive the unit long enough to get acclimated to driving without the CD. Then on a smooth flat surface you should be able to observe any pulling, if there is any misalignment issues.

It is best to consider this approach, than finding out at a later date, when the tire damage will cause you considerable expense.

Rd1 · 02-11-2023, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jman812

..................

it does appear that the tag axle is offset to one side, but most if not all others I have seen same/similar year are the same way. Never did understand why.

“Perhaps” because it is defective design? There has been dozens of complaints for 2016 and 2017 units in this forum since 2016 and it continues to date.. Folks may want to ask a simple question, if this is just a simple alignment issue or the tag mounted out of center, why did it continue over 2 years of production? The complaints were already listed here in 2016. I raised complaints on my unit the day I picked it up from Steinbring in aug 1, of 2016. Newmar had issued their PIB458 in aug 9 of 2016. It was obviously known to both Newmar and Freightliner. So how come the problem persisted with the new production, if this is just an alignment/tag out of center issue???

I can speak factually on my own 2017 ladp freightliner chassis. The tag axle has absolutely no provisions for lateral adjustments. This is not an opinion, rather a mechanical fact. The tag axle control arm attachments are FIXED point attachments. This tag axle can not be moved side to side not even an 1/8”. However, because it is an steerable axle, the alignment/centering can be manipulated. Next post will cover one such scenario, there are other options to manipulate an steerable axle, if/when there may be problems. Such manipulations 'can potentially' cause other safety/alignment related concerns.

Furthermore, the out of center axle in of itself is a safety concern. Spartan was the first to introduce passive steer tag axle to RV industry (2014). They too screwed up and had their axle mounted out of center. That defect was recalled.

Newmar/freightliner for whatever reason (Ford Pinto Syndrome?) did not recall this tag axle issue. However, Newmar did file a report with NHTSA in aug 2016. This was only for 2016 and unfortunately did not cover 2017. YOU HAVE TO ASK WHY????!!!!!

This Newmar filling also includes alignment instructions from freightliner. Page 12, item 18 is the alignment instructions for the USB passive steer tag axle.

I have tried these instructions a number of times at an independent truck and frame alignment shop on a raised rack with my own LADP. If you understand alignment concept, reviewing the instructions you will find there are absolutely no provisions/instructions for centering the tag axle! Perhaps because, it simply can not be adjusted side to side? Note, the V-ride (drive axle) does have instructions listed for side to side adjustments Page 4, item 4. However, no such instructions for the usb tag axle!

More on that later for those who may appreciate alignment concepts and how it can be manipulated.

Rd1 · 02-11-2023, 06:24 PM

Scenario 1, all alignment in spec. All good.

Scenario 2, passive tag axle out of thrust and toe spec.

Scenario 3, passive tag looks ok from outside, however, there is noticeable thrust out of spec. (axle not perpendicular to the chassis).

How? If you are familiar with a passive steer axle, you may know it does not have a steering box. In a common steer axle, there is a steering box sitting somewhere in between the wheels. The box is connected via independent tie rods (toe links) to each wheel. This provides the opportunity to set the toe for ea wheel independently.

In a passive steer axle, there is no steering box. Thats why it is called passive. The two wheels are connected via a single toe link . By adjusting the toe link, you adjust the toe for both wheels at the same time. You can bring the front side of both wheels either IN or OUT. Depending on how far you can adjust the toe link and how far out the thrust may be, you can set the toe for one side, but the other one would be out in some measure. As most RVs are not driven on daily basis,most people may not notice the issue for a very long time. This 2017 LADP tag problems aligned at Gaffney, could potentially be described with the above scenario. Notice how the supposed alignment shifted the problem from one side (DS) of tag axle to the other side (PS)!

There are other steps that can further manipulate a passive steer axle.

Of course, in scenario 3 there is obviously a thrust issue and likely a toe out of spec. Hence, there will be some pulling issue. However, as more and more newer RV's are equipped with column drive, or what Newmar calls Comfort drive, this pulling issue will be masked by such devices. So most will not notice any misalignment issues, as such devices simply compensate for the misalignment pull, till the tire wear becomes obvious. How many of them have you guys noticed posted here since 2016 with the unexpected tag tire wear?