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Winepress · 06-09-2018, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crasher

You are talking about a "Passive" steering tag like Newmar has on their '16 and newer tag coaches. The Newell has an "Active steering tag. Sitting still, when the steering wheel is turned to the right, the tag wheels turn to the left before the coach moves. That is "Active" steering. A big difference in turning.

Steering radius is the relation of the steer wheels to the drive axle. It the tag helped in some way, why does it dump in reverse? Tag is just along for the ride, active or passive, it does not have the ability to change the turning radius. Now, if the rear drive axle were to someway alter the angle, then you would have something.

Ivylog · 06-09-2018, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crasher

Sitting still, when the steering wheel is turned to the right, the tag wheels turn to the left before the coach moves. That is "Active" steering. A big difference in turning.

I stand corrected

Crasher · 06-09-2018, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Winepress

Steering radius is the relation of the steer wheels to the drive axle. It the tag helped in some way, why does it dump in reverse? Tag is just along for the ride, active or passive, it does not have the ability to change the turning radius. Now, if the rear drive axle were to someway alter the angle, then you would have something.

I understand the radius relationship between the steering axle and the drive and would normally agree with you. However, something is helping the rear come around a turn that is different that my coach when the tag is dumped. FWIW, the Newell tag does not dump in reverse. It stays in the drive position and steers.

Winepress · 06-09-2018, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crasher

I understand the radius relationship between the steering axle and the drive and would normally agree with you. However, something is helping the rear come around a turn that is different that my coach when the tag is dumped. FWIW, the Newell tag does not dump in reverse. It stays in the drive position and steers.

The axle is bolted to the frame, it’s fixed. Nothing the tag can do is going to change that, does not matter if it dumps or not. However, the front wheels may have a greater angle of turning than your coach.
On the 18 Newmar, the same coach on a Freightliner chassis has a tighter turning radius than the Spartan chassis. This is due to the tighter angle of the steer wheels.
All that said, what a pleasure it must have been to pilot that coach.

saddlesore · 06-09-2018, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Winepress

the tag helped in some way, why does it dump in reverse? Tag is just along for the ride, active or passive, it does not have the ability to change the turning radius. Now, if the rear drive axle were to someway alter the angle, then you would have something.

You are still thinking of a Newmar/Tiffin and the others.. On a Newell the tag does not need to lift when backing up.(it is controlled by the steering box up front me thinks, as opposed to "passive caster" steering )

JMonroe · 06-10-2018, 09:01 AM

I'm going to run out and buy a lottery ticket.

For what it's worth, both Freightliner and Spartan claim a slightly shorter turning radius with their passive steer tags. If memory serves, and it does so less and less, something like 17%.

Crasher · 06-10-2018, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JMonroe

I'm going to run out and buy a lottery ticket.

For what it's worth, both Freightliner and Spartan claim a slightly shorter turning radius with their passive steer tags. If memory serves, and it does so less and less, something like 17%.

I thought I read that it was a comparison between the passive steering tag to a non steer tag that was not dumped. If true, it is a misleading comparison. I doubt there would be much difference between a passive tag and a non steering dumped tag. The drive axle is either causing the tag to turn or is skidding a very lightly loaded tag.