Tag Axle Dump switch

[Jim]

This switch confuses me and I'm sure I'm not the only one. I have a 3-optioned button, Tag Dump Auto, Disable & Manual. Anyone with knowledge of these settings care to help educate those of us without? I know I could use some help.

 

[Neal]

Auto will "raise" (take pressure off the wheel) when in reverse

Disable prevents the above

Manual raises the tag

 

[Jim]

Auto will "raise" (take pressure off the wheel) when in reverse

Disable prevents the above

Manual raises the tag

I understand, and thank you. But why would I want, or need, to do any of the above?

 

[Neal]

I understand, and thank you. But why would I want, or need, to do any of the above?

Keep from dragging the tire I suppose doing sharp turns. While I have HWH Active Air and the tag dumps automatically which doesn't necessarily mean the tire raises, this may be what the result was:

Strange wear pattern on one tag axle tire

Airing up tires today as we head into cooler temps and noticed a strange wear pattern on the driver's side tag axle tire. All other tires look fine. Any ideas as to what's going on here? Chassis service at end of this trip, I'll be asking Freightliner Custom Chassis.

rvforums.com

 

[Neemer]

I understand, and thank you. But why would I want, or need, to do any of the above?

If you snowbird the way @Neal does, there may be times you need extra traction on the rear drive axle. Lifting the tag will shift weight there.

 

[Rd1]

to add, with slight correction. Auto is the preferred section.
your tag does not lift. In auto, when you select reverse, the tag air bags dump the air. that lessens the drag and helps the Lock Straights to straighten your tag wheels as the tag wheels rotate.

The disable, will eliminate the above. Still works, but you will have much more drag on your tags in reverse.

Manual, you have to hold the switch to manually dump the air.

as stated above, if the drive axle is spinnig, you can manually dump the air in the tag axle for 'hopefully' better traction for the drives.

 

[Stuart W]

To add clarification on the use of the 3 positions:

Auto operation dumps the tag airbags, taking pressure off of the tag axle effectively shortening the wheel base making the motorhome turn sharper

Disable keeps the airbags inflated, you may need this backing up a driveway that is steep enough to drag the trailer hitch, by keeping the bags inflated the back end stays higher

Manual dumps the tag axle and can be used in tight campgrounds where tighter turning going forward would help. The second use could be, your at a rally parked on grass and it has rained several days, you go to leave and feel the drive tires slipping, by dumping the tag you are effectively putting more weight on the drive wheels for better traction.