Tag axle questions

[et2]

We're looking at a new 2019 Fleetwood Discovery LXE 44H. It's a tag axle. I know it lifts but not one where the wheels move with the turn to help steer and not drag. To my knowledge anyway.

Is there a problem with tight turns? Do you need to lift the tag?

Do's and don't? Good , bad?

Anyone have this model ? Any feedback is appreciated.

[LVJ58]

I have a 38' gas rig with tags that don't lift or steer. Haven't had any problems with them, but can't speak for tags on a DP

Hope you get the information you need and safe travels...

[Mile_High]

Ya, agreed the tag doesn't change the turn radius over what it would be without it.

Front independent suspension does change turn radius (tighter), and rear steering tags will change it because the push they rear out in a turn.

[Blaster_Man]

That Discovery is a very nice coach. Don't worry about the tag, as stated earlier, the pressure is off in a turn/reverse, besides, a little dragging of the tag tires won't hurt. You'll have to get new tires due to age, not running the tread off them. Also, tags do not affect the turn radius.

[Ivylog]

Tires age out so after the first couple of years I only raised mine if going to make multiple sharp turns. Cannot tell any difference in turning radius up or down after putting 88K miles on my Dynasty. New ride is heavy enough that I doubt I’ll ever raise it other than to change a tire. 23K + 9K = 32,000 lbs on a 24K axle...not doing it.

[Mile_High]

There are 3 kinds of tag I'm aware of - steerable, lift and dump.

My Freightliner only "dumps" the pressure out of the tag air bags in reverse or when manually dumped less then 5 mph.

Tags that physically "lift" have a separate pneumatic or hydraulic piston that lifts the tag up after the air ride has been released.

Steerable are just awesome 🙂

[cvbdsl]

Tags are adjustable and should be slightly off the ground when lifted otherwise you are dragging the tire when it should be lifted.

I ran mine over the scales around 5 times fully loaded to adjust the weight on the front, main and tag axles for fairly even distribution within their limits. Instructions were in the owners manual, I have a valve and gauge in the engine compartment that allows me to set the tag pressure.

When I lift my tag I can turn the tire by hand, it is just barely off the ground. My tag requires me to manually lift it for sharp turns, either forward or reverse. If I don't it doesn't turn quite as sharp and drags the tag wheels. My tag is not steerable.

It does automatically low over a certain speed going forward.

HTH

Chris

[Ranger_Smith]

If it is a Freightliner chassis and has "auto" mode it will lift it automatically under 10 mph and automatically in reverse. No issues with tight turns. I have never seen mine "lift" off the ground but it does release the pressure on it.