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Tag axle

Yahoo Message Number: 61613
I recently had my rt rear brake lock up on my tag axle. I thought it would be possible to raise tag and limp 8 miles to a tire store.
WRONG

At about 10 mph the tag goes down on its own. Long story short got a flat. Had road service take flat off and went to shop to have new tire installed and a brake canister.
Is it possible to keep tag up @ speed?

Thanks
Greg

Re: Tag axle

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 61620
Greg,

The tag will extend when the Allison shifts into 1st gear and/or moving more than 14 mph regardless of the tag switch position. There is no way around this as it is a built in safety feature. The tag represent about 11500 lbs of the coaches GVWR and it is not safe to drive it at higher speeds. They only way you could drive it as you did is to keep it in 1st gear and at low speeds.
Sorry for your bad event made worse. Thanks for posting it so that at least others can learn from your bad luck. How the tag works is a commonly misunderstood affair. To make matters worse not all coaches have raisable tags, some high end have them that turn with the coach so there are various types. With CC the majority can be raised.
Here is another hint that may help someday. If you find an occasion to be heading into soft ground that you are unsure of the surface such as boondocking in the desert, raise the tag assuming the coach is in 1st gear and moving slowly. If the drive wheels start to slip and dig a depression in the sand you can get into a position where the tag picks up all the weight and raising the tag at that point will not put enough weight on the drive wheels to stop them from spinning. Unless you get very lucky it is time for a tow truck to pull you out.

Don Seager

2004 Allure 31046

Re: Tag axle

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 61624
Don..good points.

Probably most in our group use their coach to escape or travel where the weather is good. In our case, sometimes we must travel through some rough weather before reaching better weather. Icy conditions are not uncommon.

Two experiences similar to your soft soil or sand suggestions:
1. Once we had been traveling for some time and stopped at a shopping area where the parking area was covered to a couple inches with packed snow and ice. The warm tires melted a cup beneath the tires and when we attempted to move it was a no go. After trying to move for a couple moments, and thinking of the tow truck bill and how ridiculous that would be to be pulled no more than a foot or two, I raised the tag and simply drove out. Putting the extra weight on the drivers made the difference.

2. Another near identical situation occurred but lifting the driver made no difference. Having a four wheel drive toad made me try another option. I gave my wife the choice of driving the coach or the toad. She has steadfastly refused to drive the coach and this was no exception. So I engaged the toad drive system, left it connected to the coach, and instructed her to simply press on the accelerator when instructed via cell phone and not attempt to steer. Also, not to press so hard that it would begin to spin itself.

The added push from the toad, which is fairly heavy itself, worked and we were on our way.

Gerry Brown

2007 Allure 31447
 

Re: Tag axle

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 61688
Thanks guys for the advice. Great forum and lots of info.

Greg

07 Intrique 12138