Community Forums

Prof_T · 02-05-2020, 07:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary RVRoamer

It's all about the weight. Tag vs non-tag is an insignificant difference in ride quality and stability. Coaches get a tag axle once they exceed the practical weight limit for a two-axle vehicle. Therefore a coach with a tag is always a much heavier coach and thus rides better and resists sidewise pushes better.

Your assessment is exactly what my father told me when he traded in his 40 foot non tag American Eagle for his 42 footer with tag. That was one of my requirements when we purchased our coach.

Dav L · 02-05-2020, 07:23 AM

On the Bounder - do you have Trac Bars front and back? That is assuming you have an F53 chassis (ford). Makes a difference.

re: tag - yes a tag makes the RV less susceptible to sidewards motion. As a side benefit to the additional load handling. More tire patch, more lateral components (as a trac bar is to the Bounder), and yes typically the RV is heavier overall which makes it want to go straight.

The overall suspension on typical DPs also has less side to side movement compliance as the F53 relies on the sidewards loading of the leaf springs (that bend) if no trac bar. The DP typically has "control arms" that hinge on the frame. And air bags instead of leaf (more comfy).

The downside of the DP w/ tag is more expensive up front, many more parts to break, more expensive parts, more weight to move around, tag takes up storage room, more tires to buy, more expensive tires, more tires to inflate, more wheels to polish, etc.
Everything is bigger, tighter and heavier to service. No room for a spare tire.

But, most that have owned both stick with the DP w/ tag. I did.

mike625 · 02-05-2020, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pasdad1

Test drive a Newmar with comfort drive before you make your decision ......you don’t want to trade again in 6 months.... LOL

We were in the same place several years ago when we started to RV. Started with a gas to see how we like the life style. I knew 6 mts after having the gas that we would get a DP. Have driven with 45 mile wind gusts the last 20 miles to a NM campground last year, it was like driving our 38 ft on the interstate being passed by the trucks.

+1 - Drive a Newmar / Enterga with tag - you don’t want to trade again in 6 months.

jacwjames · 02-05-2020, 08:15 AM

We had a Class C for ~11 years and didn't know what the difference was until we bought our DP. The DP drives much better, tracks well, and doesn't get blown all over the place when truck pass. For it's length it is heavy and we run loaded.

Back about 5 years ago we were visiting friends and getting ready to go on a trip. He needed to go fuel up and asked if I want to ride along. It was a Class A gasser about the same length as ours. I was surprised how much the rig wandered and swayed all over the place. Then next day I followed them, watching the rig bob and weave all over the place, my wife rode with them, she had the same comments.

Doubt I would ever go back, but would definitely move up to a longer rig with tag.

KC593 · 02-05-2020, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dav L

On the Bounder - do you have Trac Bars front and back? That is assuming you have an F53 chassis (ford). Makes a difference.

re: tag - yes a tag makes the RV less susceptible to sidewards motion. As a side benefit to the additional load handling. More tire patch, more lateral components (as a trac bar is to the Bounder), and yes typically the RV is heavier overall which makes it want to go straight.

The overall suspension on typical DPs also has less side to side movement compliance as the F53 relies on the sidewards loading of the leaf springs (that bend) if no trac bar. The DP typically has "control arms" that hinge on the frame. And air bags instead of leaf (more comfy).

The downside of the DP w/ tag is more expensive up front, many more parts to break, more expensive parts, more weight to move around, tag takes up storage room, more tires to buy, more expensive tires, more tires to inflate, more wheels to polish, etc.
Everything is bigger, tighter and heavier to service. No room for a spare tire.

But, most that have owned both stick with the DP w/ tag. I did.

Yes, we added a Safety Plus stabilizer and an extra sway bar. It did help a lot but we are just ready to make the move to the DP so now its just a matter of picking the right one. Thanks again for taking the time to respond. So many good ideas and thoughts from people's experiences have shed some light on this for us.

KC593 · 02-05-2020, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jacwjames

We had a Class C for ~11 years and didn't know what the difference was until we bought our DP. The DP drives much better, tracks well, and doesn't get blown all over the place when truck pass. For it's length it is heavy and we run loaded.

Back about 5 years ago we were visiting friends and getting ready to go on a trip. He needed to go fuel up and asked if I want to ride along. It was a Class A gasser about the same length as ours. I was surprised how much the rig wandered and swayed all over the place. Then next day I followed them, watching the rig bob and weave all over the place, my wife rode with them, she had the same comments.

Doubt I would ever go back, but would definitely move up to a longer rig with tag.

Thanks for taking the time to respond

Dav L · 02-05-2020, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KC593

Yes, we added a Safety Plus stabilizer and an extra sway bar. It did help a lot but we are just ready to make the move to the DP so now its just a matter of picking the right one. Thanks again for taking the time to respond. So many good ideas and thoughts from people's experiences have shed some light on this for us.

Yes you have two trac bars? (Front AND Rear) Or yes you added a safety plus?
A safety plus stabilizer is not a trac bar. And it doesn't help much with side to side motion.
A Trac bar is specifically for side to side.
A sway bar helps keep the top of the RV from moving relative to the bottom. But it doesn't help the chassis move side to side at the bottom.
These are three different conditions.

Not trying to convince you to buy a DP or not. Just want to ensure you have done the right steps to address the condition on your existing which should save you tons of money in depreciation of the old, and the significant step up in price to the DP. Now, you will be getting MUCH more with that step up than just side to side stability.

Ohiomike · 02-05-2020, 07:35 PM

If you are getting blown around and like your rig. Try the cheap handling fix before doing any other parts. It made a huge difference for me. I was getting blown by passing vehicles and any wind gusts. I did front and rear fix and overnight it was great. I drove 8 hours across Ohio on a windy day with crosswinds hitting rig and had 0 issues or fatigue. Independent truck service shop charged me $50 for the fix while I got oil done. Best investment I’ve made. There’s a long thread on this forum. Try it and I bet your handling issues are solved.

KC593 · 02-05-2020, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dav L

Yes you have two trac bars? (Front AND Rear) Or yes you added a safety plus?
A safety plus stabilizer is not a trac bar. And it doesn't help much with side to side motion.
A Trac bar is specifically for side to side.
A sway bar helps keep the top of the RV from moving relative to the bottom. But it doesn't help the chassis move side to side at the bottom.
These are three different conditions.

Not trying to convince you to buy a DP or not. Just want to ensure you have done the right steps to address the condition on your existing which should save you tons of money in depreciation of the old, and the significant step up in price to the DP. Now, you will be getting MUCH more with that step up than just side to side stability.

Sorry, let me clarify. I added the safety plus and an extra sway bar in the rear. I did not add a trac bar to the coach primarily because I had no idea there was such a thing or what it did. Sorry i wasn't clearer.

Cat320 · 02-05-2020, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NLOVNIT

... I've already got 2 bays taken up by various electronic control panels, 2 more for chassis & house batteries, 1 for DEF container, 1 for the AquaHot unit, 1 for the HWH system & half of one by the electric cord reel. I don't need more storage taken away by having a tag...

Lori-

If you get a 45' coach with a tag you won't lose any storage...the storage you lose with the extra axle is made up by the extra 4' or 5' of coach length.

**NLOVNIT** · 02-05-2020, 08:53 PM

Yes, but I was referring to a coach in my length. I'm 41'3", slightly longer than a Ventana 4002 or 4037 which do have a tag axle. They'd lose storage with the tag just as I would.

Lori-

Cat320 · 02-06-2020, 08:33 AM

Agree....that's why I said the coach must be 45'....or you'll lose storage.

jth camper · 02-06-2020, 10:08 AM

The ride and handling difference is night and day. If your budget has room for a DP you will not be disappointed. I went from a 40 foot Discovery to a 44 foot w/tag...that was a significant improvement.

majicchuck · 02-06-2020, 06:45 PM

I started with a 93 gas Bounder. Never could get a smooth ride. Spent lots on suspension upgrades (airbags, shocks). The safety t helped tremendously with semi-trucks passing. Seven months later, I bought a 2005 Bounder diesel rig. Absolutely no issues with wind from semi-trucks. No engine noise up front. Big difference in handling. Maintenance costs are definitely higher. However I can’t go back to a gas rig. Good luck!