Community Forums

lagawne · 05-23-2017, 05:18 PM

Just purchased 2018 Dutch Star, it is our first tag. Before we pick it up trying to get smarter about Newmar and tags. I asked a few questions regarding the tag and learned that the down force is not adjustable .. It was my understanding that the air pressure on the tag was increased or decreased based on the coach 4 corner weights and used to help balance the coach.

How is the down force on the tag determined?

appreciate any help you can offer and I learn something new.

Thanks,

Larry

LJowdy · 05-23-2017, 05:57 PM

Larry, all it's there for is to support the extra weight of the coach .
It has nothing to do with corner balancing. That's done by shifting your load around so you're not overloading one side or corner.

When inflated, the tag reaches ride height along with the other air bags on the other 2 axles.

Not sure if you have a Spartan or Freightliner but if it's a Freightliner, when you dump the tag or let it dump automatically when you go into reverse, it doesn't lift off the ground, it just dumps the air thus making it turn easier.

Also, the Freightliner chassis (not sure about Spartan) has a steering tag axle. In other words, as you turn right, it slightly turns left and vice versa. (This is only at low speeds)

Larry

Mr_D · 05-23-2017, 05:59 PM

Some are adjustable, some are not. It depends on how its set up. I'm not even sure which way mine is but it really doesn't matter since I'm no where close to overloaded.

Algoma · 05-23-2017, 08:09 PM

The Freightliner tag is fixed at 50% of the drive axle load. If you have 18,000 lbs at the rear the drive has 12,000 and the tag has 6,000. When you "dump" the tag, all 18,000 lbs is on the drive axle.

tom chelbana · 05-23-2017, 09:51 PM

On the Spartan chassis the weight on tag axle is controlled by the air pressure in the air bags which can be adjusted so that one can balance the weight.

chuckster52 · 05-24-2017, 07:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tom chelbana

On the Spartan chassis the weight on tag axle is controlled by the air pressure in the air bags which can be adjusted so that one can balance the weight.

wonder if this is a new feature,I've had 3 tag axle coaches...the other two on Spartans'....never saw a way to adjust the air pressure in the tag,actually they had a set valve that worked with the air bags..Chuck

tom chelbana · 05-24-2017, 10:48 AM

On our 04 Essex on a Spartan K2 chassis with 500 ISM the adjustment for tag axle air pressure is in electrical cabinet outside in top right corner. Set for 90 psi and with this coach that puts 20K on drive axle, 10K on tag and 15K on front axle. Changing tag axle air pressure will also change front axle weights and also drive axle weights. Ride height valves also change axle weights.