Why does the 38' have a tag and the 40 doesn't? I see a lot of 36 and 40's,but not many 38's...FT didn't build many?
Tags were usually implemented when there was a bedroom slide, and especially on the U320 due to the weight of the drivetrain. If a 40' 2-slide does not have a tag, it would be a good idea to get the coach weighed, especially if it has tile throughout.
Not sure is a 40 with two slides and full tile with no tag...? A 38 seems great length coach but when add a tag do lose storage, maybe becomes like a 36 coach storage.
A tag axle is usually required due to the extra weight of the slides and heavier coaches, ceramic tiles is one significant weight.
A 40' U320 with no slides does not need a Tag, when you add a few slides, a tag axle is now necessary.
There are only a handful of 38 foot with a tag. All two slide coaches with the ISM have a tag axles. The forty foot one slide are at the max and some are even over 20k pounds loaded for traveling when we weighed coaches at a rally. They were not over the axle limits but the 20k federal guidelines thoughthey allow busses to go to 23k. Some toll roads were not allowing units on them if they were over weight and that forced manufacturers to add a tag. It helps the drivability a lot too as a by product but you lose one bay.
I have no tag on my 38' U295, a full width bay and a 3/4 width bay.
Another thing is it increases the stopping distances a great deal.
Carter Langford
Nac-
Ooops, lowers the stopping distance a lot.
CNL
Our 40' 320 single slide has a tag for just that reason.... weight is near the limits without the tag