Tag axle

[#1footballfan]

My wife and I had a Tiffin Allegro Bus but it was a single axle rig. We are now going to purchase either the 40 or 44 footer Dutch Star. I was wondering how different the driving and stirring will be with this coach. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Richpatty]

Generally, people like the way a tag axel rig handles and brakes over a non-tag rig. It should also help stabilize the rig while traveling down the road….especially when passing trucks.

Most folks, once they drive a tag axel motorhome do not want to go back.

Hope this helps.

 

[#1footballfan]

Generally, people like the way a tag axel rig handles and brakes over a non-tag rig. It should also help stabilize the rig while traveling down the road….especially when passing trucks.

Most folks, once they drive a tag axel motorhome do not want to go back.

Hope this helps.

Thank you Rich. The old rig we had had a power glide chassis and it made driving it very easy. I’ve heard the tag axle makes it a smoother ride and the turning radius is incredible too.

 

[Rd1]

There are 2 types of steerable tag axles. The active steer tags operate with the driver input thru the steering wheel. The active steer tags do make a considerable difference in rotating the coach and in their turning radius.

The passive steer tags, which is what you would find with the spartan and freightliner chassis, do not steer with the steering wheel input from the driver. They are designed to just follow the turning of the coach. Their main purpose was to reduce tire scrub. It was originally designed for delivery trucks driving within narrow city blocks.

A passive steer tag may help the turning radius if it was compared to the same exact chassis with a solid tag axle which was not lifted or the tag air bags not dumped. In that scenario, a passive steer tag should help 'some' with a full lock turning radius, in comparison.

I don't believe allegro has comfortdrive(?). I suspect, the comfort drive(CD) may be a considerable difference for your driving experience.

Having a tandem axle (drive axle+tagaxle) in the rear does help the coach to track more stable and straight. However, in the same token, a proper alignment become seven more critical.

In 'general', recognizing misalignments with units that are equipped with CD, can some times be challenging. The CD does not differentiate between a cross wind, the crown on the road nor with misalignments, in general.

One way to inspect for any potential misalignment is to disconnect the CD. Then drive the coach on a relatively flat smooth straight road at close to hwy speeds. If there are any misalignments, it will showup.

 

[#1footballfan]

Generally, people like the way a tag axel rig handles and brakes over a non-tag rig. It should also help stabilize the rig while traveling down the road….especially when passing trucks.

Most folks, once they drive a tag axel motorhome do not want to go back.

Hope this helps.

Thank you Rich. The old rig we had had a power glide chassis and it made driving it very easy. I’ve heard the tag axle makes it a smoother ride and the turning radius is incredible

There are 2 types of steerable tag axles. The active steer tags operate with the driver input thru the steering wheel. The active steer tags do make a considerable difference in rotating the coach and in their turning radius.

The passive steer tags, which is what you would find with the spartan and freightliner chassis, do not steer with the steering wheel input from the driver. They are designed to just follow the turning of the coach. Their main purpose was to reduce tire scrub. It was originally designed for delivery trucks driving within narrow city blocks.

A passive steer tag may help the turning radius if it was compared to the same exact chassis with a solid tag axle which was not lifted or the tag air bags not dumped. In that scenario, a passive steer tag should help 'some' with a full lock turning radius, in comparison.

I don't believe allegro has comfortdrive(?). I suspect, the comfort drive(CD) may be a considerable difference for your driving experience.

Having a tandem axle (drive axle+tagaxle) in the rear does help the coach to track more stable and straight. However, in the same token, a proper alignment become seven more critical.

In 'general', recognizing misalignments with units that are equipped with CD, can some times be challenging. The CD does not differentiate between a cross wind, the crown on the road nor with misalignments, in general.

One way to inspect for any potential misalignment is to disconnect the CD. Then drive the coach on a relatively flat smooth straight road at close to hwy speeds. If there are any misalignments, it will showup.

 

[#1footballfan]

Thanks Rd1. That’s very helpful

 

[Rich W.]

Never drove a coach with a tag, but I spent a lot of time driving 10 wheel ladder trucks and water tenders, and I know enough about tags to be a bit jelly of anyone with one. Especially with passive steer…

 

[#1footballfan]

Never drove a coach with a tag, but I spent a lot of time driving 10 wheel ladder trucks and water tenders, and I know enough about tags to be a bit jelly of anyone with one. Especially with passive steer…
View attachment 20718

Thanks Rich. How do you like Newmar?

 

[Rich W.]

Thanks Rich. How do you like Newmar?

For me its the only builder, other than Tiffin. I had amBay Star before the Ventana. Mine is high option enough that it has all the equipment I prefer and I like the interior better than the current offerings. Also being a 2016 I have a 2015 chassis and thus 2015 emissions but also the Star Foundation that started in 2016. That and half a dozen other reasons drove me to buy used rather than new although I am a bit envious of some of the new developments, most importantly the change to an L9 for 35’ Ventanas. But I’m really happy with the choice of materials, build and design quality, aesthetics, and being part of what I still consider the best production/semi-custom coach company.

 

[#1footballfan]

For me its the only builder, other than Tiffin. I had amBay Star before the Ventana. Mine is high option enough that it has all the equipment I prefer and I like the interior better than the current offerings. Also being a 2016 I have a 2015 chassis and thus 2015 emissions but also the Star Foundation that started in 2016. That and half a dozen other reasons drove me to buy used rather than new although I am a bit envious of some of the new developments, most importantly the change to an L9 for 35’ Ventanas. But I’m really happy with the choice of materials, build and design quality, aesthetics, and being part of what I still consider the best production/semi-custom coach company.

My wife and I are looking to get the Dutch Star either 40 or 44’. It will not be new looking between 2019-2021. Her concern is mileage. She would like to get something with around 30k. However, I found one that is a 2021 but it has 65k. The dealership said it will include a 4 year warranty and will be replacing the two front tires and will do the oil change, generator and the Oasis system too. Plus the entire rig will be inspected. What are your thoughts on this rig with the mileage. Any input would be appreciated.

 

[Rich W.]

Here’s my thought on milage: I wanted a low milage coach too and bought one with 16k on it. There’s pros and cons but there was still some stuff that wasn’t sorted out. And now it has 62k on it and its done nothing but get better. Meanwhile higher milage coaches have lower asking prices. So if I were doing it again, I wouldn’t be so hung up on low milage. More emphasis on condition inside and out and comprehensive maintenance records. That would be a must for a higher milage machine and you almost never get them when buying from a dealer.

 

[newmarokie]

Fan, One thing you will get with the tag, a higher tow rating. My son has a '12 40' Phaeton. It has a 10k rating. I have a '19 40' Dutch Star. It has a 15k rating. I pull a chevy Colorado and never intend to put a 15k load in back. It is nice to have some cushion.

 

[turbopilot]

Does anyone know how much a typical tag axle system weighs? We know a tag axle system can allow up to 10,000 more lbs of load carrying ability to a Class A RV, but net of the tag axle system weight how much additional payload will a tag axle allow?

 

[Joe Hogan]

Does anyone know how much a typical tag axle system weighs?

A comparison between Newmar DutchStars with and without a tag is possible in the spec sheets using App UVW. The 4071 has a Tag and the 38xx models do not. Also interesting is the GAWR for the drive axle is higher on the 38xx series at 24k vs 20k for 40xx and longer with a Tag.

 

[turbopilot]

So if I am reading the numbers right going to a tag axle between the 3836 and the 4071 allows the coach to carry net payload increase of 4,700 lbs. Now I wonder how many cubic feet of cargo carrying capacity is lost between the two models by adding the tag to a coach about 2' longer.

 

[Stuart W]

Tag axle and comfort drive take the white knuckles out of windy days. As said once you have had one it’s hard to drive anything else. By the way I have had a 43 footer on both a Spartans a Freightliner and found no noticeable difference.

 

[Roadglide117]

65k miles...engine not even broke in...that engine will outlast the motorhome...as long as maintenance done regularly