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Tag axle

March 03, 2012, 02:15:08 pm

I have a simple question but I'm sure there will be many answers to it.( I hope)
 What are the pros and cons of having a coach with a tag axle besides being able to carry more weight? I eagerly await your responses!

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Re: Tag axle

Reply #1 – March 03, 2012, 02:29:11 pm

Richard,

I would state it a little differently, as a tag does not necessarily give you more carrying capacity for your stuff.  That is a general comments about tags-- no particular manufacturer in mind.

Yes, tag axles increase the total carrying capacity of the coach, but tag axles are usually found on longer, heavier coaches with larger, heavier drive trains.

So the actual carrying capacity for your stuff may or may not be higher than other coaches without a tag axle.

USABLE carrying capacity is yet another of the MAYBE'S.  Some tag  axle coaches have the majority of their carrying capacity on the tag, with front and drive axles near capacity. Not much storage space over the tag axle, so usable capacity may not be very much.

Bottom line is tag axle coaches MAY have more carrying capacity for your stuff and they may not. Look at actual weights vs GAWR's to make sure exactly what you are getting.

Brett

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Re: Tag axle

Reply #2 – March 03, 2012, 04:38:03 pm

Increased ride stability, generally smoother too. Loss of a bay for storage. Two more tires to replace.

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Re: Tag axle

Reply #3 – March 03, 2012, 05:12:46 pm

THe increase in stability is huge while the smoothness is not as much but still there.  I would not buy another coach with out one.  I do not feel the trucks that pass any longer and the wind does not affect me as much either.

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Re: Tag axle

Reply #4 – March 03, 2012, 07:15:46 pm

I'll second John S.  We never feel trucks that pass us or if we pass them.  Plus I don't notice the wind nearly as much as I did with our SOB that did not have a tag.  I too will never own a coach without a tag! 

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Re: Tag axle

Reply #5 – March 03, 2012, 08:46:20 pm

No tag, no problems with either passing trucks or being passed . Recently encountered thirty to forty mile an hour winds with no problems. Have no experience with a tag axle coach for comparison.

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Re: Tag axle

Reply #6 – March 03, 2012, 09:56:43 pm

I was already to buy a 40' coach until I had it weighed.  Moving from 40' to 42' increased my carrying capacity by 5000 pounds!

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Reply #7 – March 04, 2012, 10:07:06 am

I have question since we are talking tags.  We have a new to us 2008 40 ft with tag, when the tag is raised, the rear end seem to sag more than I would have thought, to the point where if we are not on level ground, the tag wheels don't clear the pavement.  I would have thought the air bags on the rear main axel would raise the coach to normal travel height.
Any thoughts on this?

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Re: Tag axle

Reply #8 – March 04, 2012, 06:13:43 pm

Thanks, Brett, Dave,John and TFT. The reason for my question is we are thinking of going from our coach, to a 38ft. with 2 slides. It being an '03. Just trying to get some ideas until I can actually see it. That won't be till the middle of the month as I'm on the ocean till then. We don't full time, and it's just MDW and I. Will we miss the extra space or find the extra room a better trade off? Thanks for your input.

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Re: Tag axle

Reply #9 – March 04, 2012, 07:59:04 pm

There is a 38ft. 320 in Spicewood TX.

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Reply #10 – March 04, 2012, 10:30:12 pm

I liked a few of the 38 footer I've seen. Only issue was a smaller shower that was nearly claustrophobic...

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Re: Tag axle

Reply #11 – March 05, 2012, 08:40:09 am

I think I would look for a 38 -40 foot coach. Not much difference where you could fit camping wise but the extra space in the 40 is nice especially over what you lose in the 38 with the TAG. That said, I would not hesitate to get a 38 footer with a tag if the floor plan suits you.

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Re: Tag axle

Reply #12 – March 05, 2012, 08:54:02 am

Dave - How large is your shower?  The one in my 38 footer is a 1/4 circle that is 32x32.  I'm not a big guy but it is much larger than the one in the trailer we use to have.

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