40 ft. Tag axle vs. non tag

Topic: 40 ft. Tag axle vs. non tag (Read 2302 times) previous topic - next topic

40 ft. Tag axle vs. non tag

February 09, 2022, 05:42:46 pm

First time posting. Looking at u320 40ft. One with tag, 2 slides one without, 1 slide. Looked at other posts about tags vs. non tags but none seemed to answer my question. More or less storage is not an issue for us, non full timers. We will be pulling a toad. Handling and towing capacity is important. Price difference is not much between the two. I value the collective wisdom on this forum. Has one got a definite advantage over the other?

Re: 40 ft. Tag axle vs. non tag

Reply #1 – February 09, 2022, 06:19:39 pm

Tags- more weight, more tires, more air bags- better handling and ride. Your mileage may vary.

Re: 40 ft. Tag axle vs. non tag

Reply #2 – February 09, 2022, 06:32:01 pm

Quote from: erniee – February 09, 2022, 06:19:39 pm

Tags- more weight, more tires, more air bags- better handling and ride. Your mileage may vary.

Agreed, except better ride. I have had both, ride not necessarily better, sometimes can be worse for proposing because of the pivot of drive axle. The idea of a tag also you have 2 axles pointed you straight down the road.

Another benefit is better stopping power with an extra set of brakes.... But Foretravel has great disc brakes and usually a transmission retarder, so non tag is completely good.

Comes down to if you need to pull a heavy trailer or need the heavy towing. If your just pulling a toad or even a vehicle the non tag is fully capable. Also condition of each coach, buy the better condition coach.

Keep it simple don't need the towing. Go single rear axle. Cheaper to maintain, it's minimal but, cheaper

Re: 40 ft. Tag axle vs. non tag

Reply #3 – February 09, 2022, 06:44:40 pm

I am extremely pleased with the handling of our non-tag 40-ft 1995 U320. It quite-literally handles like a sports car. I enjoy driving it on curvy country roads so much that my wife has to tell me to slow down! We don't need the weight-carrying capacity of a tag axle and we utilize the extra basement storage afforded by not having a tag. For us the non-tag design is definitely a positive!

Re: 40 ft. Tag axle vs. non tag

Reply #4 – February 09, 2022, 07:01:38 pm

You mentioned storage is not an issue. I think you will find storage is always an issue and the more the better.... Just my thought.

Re: 40 ft. Tag axle vs. non tag

Reply #5 – February 09, 2022, 07:23:20 pm

I vote for the "Tag", More Stable, Better weight control, all things being equal the "Tag" is a safer Ride. Foretravel started using them to help with weight distribution for axle loading....

Re: 40 ft. Tag axle vs. non tag

Reply #6 – February 09, 2022, 07:47:07 pm

Quote from: Gerry Vicha – February 09, 2022, 07:23:20 pm

I vote for the "Tag", More Stable, Better weight control, all things being equal the "Tag" is a safer Ride. Foretravel started using them to help with weight distribution for axle loading....

Foretravel didn't need them before they started adding slides. They started adding a tag axle when they started exceeding the legal 20,000 lb single axle weight limit.

Adding a tag axle to our Foretravel would add absolutely nothing in terms of safety.

Re: 40 ft. Tag axle vs. non tag

Reply #7 – February 09, 2022, 08:54:56 pm

"Adding a tag axle to our Foretravel would add absolutely nothing in terms of safety."

I would take exception to this, More tires on the ground, being able to control rear load (Which is 24,000lbs for single rear axle) in most states. If it was not needed Foretravel would not have added it....

Re: 40 ft. Tag axle vs. non tag

Reply #8 – February 09, 2022, 08:58:54 pm

Quote from: John hobbs – February 09, 2022, 06:32:01 pm

Buy the better condition coach.

I think this about sums it up.

If you needed the tag you wouldn't be asking the question so let something else be the deciding factor that points you to the right one.

Re: 40 ft. Tag axle vs. non tag

Reply #9 – February 09, 2022, 09:07:52 pm

Quote from: Gerry Vicha – February 09, 2022, 08:54:56 pm

"Adding a tag axle to our Foretravel would add absolutely nothing in terms of safety."

I would take exception to this, More tires on the ground, being able to control rear load (Which is 24,000lbs for single rear axle) in most states. If it was not needed Foretravel would not have added it....

I you had actually read what I wrote then you would know that I wrote that Foretravel added the tag axle because it was needed on the heavier coaches with slide outs. It is *not* needed on our 40-ft non-slide coach!

Unless I have missed something the Federal load limit (and in most states) for a single axle is 20,000 lb.

Re: 40 ft. Tag axle vs. non tag

Reply #10 – February 09, 2022, 09:19:25 pm

Actually my single slide 40' U-320 does not have or need a tag. I have ample weight available (about 2,000') with all my storage in and out stuffed full. Plus more basement storage on non tag models.
Tags became necessary on the two slide coaches and coaches longer than 40'.
James Triana was once asked at a Grandvention I attended, what used Foretravel would you buy.
He didn't hesitate 5 seconds' "2001, 42' tag axle U-320" If it doesn't have a tag it doesn't need one weight wise. Do what makes you happy!

Re: 40 ft. Tag axle vs. non tag

Reply #11 – February 09, 2022, 09:22:34 pm

Tag has better turning radius than non tag due to wheelbase. Tag is lifting for when tighter turn (slow speed) needed.

Re: 40 ft. Tag axle vs. non tag

Reply #12 – February 09, 2022, 09:35:11 pm

Quote from: D.J. Osborn – February 09, 2022, 09:07:52 pm

I you had actually read what I wrote then you would know that I wrote that Foretravel added the tag axle because it was needed on the heavier coaches with slide outs. It is *not* needed on our 40-ft non-slide coach!

Unless I have missed something the Federal load limit (and in most states) for a single axle is 20,000 lb.

The feds changed the rules around 2001 on motorhome rear axles. The '99 was legal with a 21,000 rear and a 13,880 front for a combined total of 34,880 and a 44,880 GVAR for towing 10,000

Re: 40 ft. Tag axle vs. non tag

Reply #13 – February 09, 2022, 09:39:08 pm

Quote from: craneman – February 09, 2022, 09:35:11 pm

The feds changed the rules around 2001 on motorhome rear axles. The '99 was legal with a 21,000 rear and a 13,880 front for a combined total of 34,880 and a 44,880 GVAR for towing 10,000

Does any state currently have a 24,000 lb single rear axle legal weight limit?

Re: 40 ft. Tag axle vs. non tag

Reply #14 – February 09, 2022, 10:32:41 pm

Quote from: D.J. Osborn – February 09, 2022, 09:07:52 pm

I you had actually read what I wrote then you would know that I wrote that Foretravel added the tag axle because it was needed on the heavier coaches with slide outs. It is *not* needed on our 40-ft non-slide coach!

Unless I have missed something the Federal load limit (and in most states) for a single axle is 20,000 lb.

The Federal load limit for single axle rv/motor homes was changed to 24,000 lbs. in October of 2012.

Re: 40 ft. Tag axle vs. non tag

Reply #15 – February 09, 2022, 11:23:46 pm

Trying to upload a link that I can't find any newer law on. Seems no state can have a lower rear axle limit less than 24,000 lbs. I know the California DMV has it as 20,000 lbs. Reading the details it would not apply to streets not near interstates which are exempt also to obtain fuel, rest and food. Of course the axle would have to be rated for the weight.
Cranes and dump trucks in Cal. are exempt on the front axle up to 20,000 lbs. if the axle and tires are rated for the weight. My crane had an 18,000 lb. axle.

Re: 40 ft. Tag axle vs. non tag

Reply #16 – February 10, 2022, 12:13:34 pm

When my 2001 U320 36' was built in December of 2000 the rear axle wt limit was 20,000 lbs. That is what the GAWR on the data plate shows. The actual weight capacity of the axle used is closer to 24K.

The last year for a 36' U320 was 2002. In 2003 they replaced it with a 38 ft and a tag axle, rearranged locations for AH, batteries, LP tank, fuel tank, and maybe worst was the start battery location when a tag axle is added. I think they reduced fuel tank size too. Slide mechanisms changed as well, lots more tiled floors too. Some of these changes happened in 2002. They also rearranged how and where the HWH hydraulic pump, compressor, inverter, and other equipment are located. All of this adds up to changes in how basement space is used, not all bad, just different,

Looking at ours vs a 2003 40' U320 with a tag, I guessed there was about the same usable basement space but maybe more with some careful space management planning. We use all the basement space available and bring what we think we need and what we want. We are keeping what we have.

If we were going to change it would be to a 2003 U320 40' tag single slide. There are a few out there.

Re: 40 ft. Tag axle vs. non tag

Reply #17 – February 10, 2022, 02:20:50 pm

Quote from: Tim Fiedler – February 09, 2022, 09:19:25 pm

Actually my single slide 40' U-320 does not have or need a tag. I have ample weight available (about 2,000') with all my storage in and out stuffed full. Plus more basement storage on non tag models.
Tags became necessary on the two slide coaches and coaches longer than 40'.
James Triana was once asked at a Grandvention I attended, what used Foretravel would you buy.
He didn't hesitate 5 seconds' "2001, 42' tag axle U-320" If it doesn't have a tag it doesn't need one weight wise. Do what makes you happy!

Re: 40 ft. Tag axle vs. non tag

Reply #18 – February 10, 2022, 02:23:05 pm

Having had both , I have to say the 40' tag drives better than the 40' non tag on the highway. Yes there is less basement space, it's heavier and has more maintenance items but it is worth it to me

Re: 40 ft. Tag axle vs. non tag

Reply #19 – February 10, 2022, 03:04:06 pm

Quote from: Tim Fiedler – February 09, 2022, 09:19:25 pm

Actually my single slide 40' U-320 does not have or need a tag. I have ample weight available (about 2,000') with all my storage in and out stuffed full. Plus more basement storage on non tag models.
Tags became necessary on the two slide coaches and coaches longer than 40'.
James Triana was once asked at a Grandvention I attended, what used Foretravel would you buy.
He didn't hesitate 5 seconds' "2001, 42' tag axle U-320" If it doesn't have a tag it doesn't need one weight wise. Do what makes you happy!

Hit wrong button before I was done.

Little thread creep here first. Noticed on your profile you are the proud owner of a couple great aircraft. Have you flown and camped or driven your U320 to Oshkosh and camped?

Now back to the subject. To anyone's knowledge, has there ever been a cost analysis done on long term maintenance costs for a tag vs no tag when they have about the same gvw? Or are rv owners like me and many other plane owners where we don't like to pay to much attention to costs. We just know you have to "pay to play".

Re: 40 ft. Tag axle vs. non tag

Reply #20 – February 10, 2022, 05:04:56 pm

Quote from: hdff – February 10, 2022, 02:23:05 pm

Having had both , I have to say the 40' tag drives better than the 40' non tag on the highway. Yes there is less basement space, it's heavier and has more maintenance items but it is worth it to me

I see that your two Foretravels are from significantly different years. What are the other differences? For example do they both have the same front-axle design or does one have independent front suspension?

Re: 40 ft. Tag axle vs. non tag

Reply #21 – February 10, 2022, 09:47:45 pm

Quote from: D.J. Osborn – February 10, 2022, 05:04:56 pm

I see that your two Foretravels are from significantly different years. What are the other differences? For example do they both have the same front-axle design or does one have independent front suspension?

White one is a 2000 u320 40', tan one is a 2003 u320 40'. Same motor, transmission and chassis..... the only difference that I know of is the tag

Re: 40 ft. Tag axle vs. non tag

Reply #22 – February 17, 2022, 10:05:37 pm

We had a 2002 non tag 40' U320 and I was convinced nothing could drive better. Our kids bought a 2003 40' tag and I couldn't believe the difference driving to Nach on the two land hwy 69. I fell in love with that tag. Now we both have 42' tag coaches and their 2000 tag drives as well as our 2003. Out 40' non tag just wasn't as stable.

The weight was distributed better on the tag coaches with the fuel tank moved to the center. On the 40 non tag it put a lot of weight on the front.

Re: 40 ft. Tag axle vs. non tag

Reply #23 – February 18, 2022, 09:04:16 am

We had a rally and weighed all the coaches. The non tag 40 footers with a single slide were all over 20k on the rear axle. The limit on the axle was 21k but some of the roads don't like the 20k plus axles and that is why they started putting tag axles on them. I had a 42 foot with a tag and two slides and the tag was great for stability. It did not move when the truck would scream by in the left lane and was rock solid in cross winds that would have stopped me before. If you can get a tag get one as it will. Give you more options and an extra set of brakes. The downside is two more tires that need to be replaced.

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