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Tag axle lift problems

Yahoo Message Number: 85883
I have an 45ft 07 Intrique 12120 and I am going to replace all 6 rear tires with Michlins. These tires are about $700 each, about $4200 to $5000 out the door. One of the things that has always bothered me about the coach is the amount of time it takes to lift the tag, 2 minutes. Once the tag starts coming up, the back of the coach drops 4 inches at the mud flap. Looks like a dog dragging its butt. It takes another 2/3 minutes to get the rear up to ride height.
If I do this at a stop light, stop sign or pulling into a RV site It's a waist of time. I'm using my tag tires as an eraser, trying to rub the black out of the asphalt.
I have heard that if I lift the tag while I am in first gear and just sit there for 10 minutes with my foot on the brakes, I will end pulling the tops out if the rear shocks.
I have been told that limit straps or chains help, but because of the way the tag lift system works, that the drive axle bags can even pull the top shock mounts out of the frame.
I have pulled the rear shocks and height control valves apart going over a drop in the drive way pulling into an RV repair place. That was expensive.
Am I doing something wrong or is there something wrong with the way the coach is set up.

Any information would be appreciated.

Plenty to spend but none to waste.

Poseur

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Re: Tag axle lift problems

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 85884
bearlabelmachine1 . . . not sure on your name,
I have a 40ft, 07 Intrigue (#12153) so our coaches are similarly equipped though mine is shorter. I experience the same problems as you but not quite as extreme. My tag tires barely clear the ground and will dip and drag if I apply the brakes while it's up.
My rear original Goodyears made it around 50,000 miles (6 years) but were replaced with Bridgestones (295s). The fronts now are Michelins (315s).
I have developed my stop/turn techniques to minimize the scuffing and take my turns slowly and well enough to be comfortable living with that, but my coach will go up in 45 seconds or so. If the folks in back have to wait a bit, so be it. I rarely get honked at.
I have heard many stories about shocks popping but can't recall it happening with an Intrigue, but I could be wrong on that. My shocks are original (now at 54,000 miles). I raise/lower without spending a long time lifting, usually 10 seconds or so and traverse, then drop. Rarely scrape any more.

Lee

Re: Tag axle lift problems

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 85897
On my 2005 Intrigue the left side tag comes up quickly. The right side takes forever. According to Chris Snyder this is because CC built the coach so the HWH lifts the drivers side because it is heavier with the radiator and such. The passenger side has to wait for the ride height valve to bring up the coach. Chris says he can fix the problem for $1500 but I am not sure its worth it. I also think that as my ride height valves have gotten older the problem has gotten worse.

Bob AF9W

Re: Tag axle lift problems

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 85899
I have a lowly 08 Inspire Founder's Edition 43' with tag. When I got it last fall, it had 16K miles on it and the tag was not lifting at all. I had it at Country Coach Corp Factory Service in Junction City, and they determined there was not enough air being applied to lift it. They made a simple adjustment and now it lifts nicely and pretty quickly. I have weighed my coach on a certified Cat Scale and got front 11940
rear 25240
TOTAL 38180

So I am well under GVWR. I don't notice much drop in the rear when I lift the tag. I wonder if overweight in the rear could cause the problem. I only have a C9 and I suppose the Affinity probably has a C15 or better, so considerably heavier.
My only complaint with the tag axle is that I wish I could alter the speed at which the tag automatically drops down. I have NO IDEA why the default setting is 5 mph, but that is ridiculous. It is very annoying when negotiating a few tight turns in a tight RV Park to have the tag axle going up and down, up and down. And it is pretty difficult to keep her under 5 mph. As if anyone needs a tag axle down at 8 mph?!?!? Ideal would be to change it to somewhere between 10 and 15 mph before it automatically drops. I wonder if anyone knows if that can be adjusted? I have also heard of people having straps installed to keep the rear axle from suddenly dropping out too far and blowing out the shocks. I wonder if my 08 needs this modification?

Joseph Burkle

2008 Country Coach Inspire 360 Founders Edition 43' quad slide tag axle 425 HP C9 pusher http://www. Wind-seeker.com/

Re: Tag axle lift problems

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 85905
Kirk,

Maybe this will help.

When you lift the tag you transfer the weight that was on the tag to the drive axle. This weight causes the drop. The ride height valve calls for more air to bring the coach to the proper ride height. The air required to do this must go thru a small orifice, about .030 in diameter. This is what takes the time. dumping also takes some time, but not usually as much. Plus remember if the bag has 60 lbs of air in it the system is only able to add air ad the difference between the bag pressure and system air, typically 120 so the differential is only 60 lbs.

Mikee

Re: Tag axle lift problems

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 85909
Good explanation Mikee. It amazed me when measuring our coaches four corner weight, how much the tags carried. My measurements were not exact, as it was not individual scales, but a full size truck scale. Tried to position: Both Front Axle
Front Left Axle
Both Drive Axle
Left Drive Axle
Both Tag Axle
Left Tag Axle

Full coach weight without toad
Full coach and toad weight

So that I could caculate the weight were individual axle. Being on the corner edge of the scale, I've never been real comfortable with the Left Side ownly measurements. So I added safety margins on top of the actual measurements.
My plan is to visit the Congress, AZ Escapees park, where they offer individual axle measurements. Then I will possibly tun my PSI down a bit if safet to do so.
Only added all of stuff about weights, as when it came to the Tags - the weight they carried surprised me. So the dropping down of the rear we note when lifting the Tags, was I feel explained well by Mikee.

Best to all, be safe, have fun,
Smitty

04 Allure 31017
04 Allure Sold to a nice new owner! Now enjoying a 07 Magna Rembrandt 45' ISX600 #6775
"We're ONDROAD for THEJRNY!" (Toad and Coach license plates, say Hi if you see us!)

Re: Tag axle lift problems

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 85939
Mikee I am looking at the HWH air schematic for a tag axle MH. Where is the .030 orifice you are referring to.
Also, does the air for the height control valve go thru the manifold and then the HCV or thru the HCV and then the manifold.
The more I study this, the more confused I get.
Kirk

Bear Label Machine

11415 Sunrise Gold Cir. Ste 8
Rancho Cordova, CA 95742
916-638-8433


From: GSmith77_7 To: Country-Coach-Owners@yahoogroups.com Sent: Sat, February 16, 2013 9:34:52 AM Subject: [Country-Coach-Owners] Re: Tag axle lift problems

Good explanation Mikee. It amazed me when measuring our coaches four corner weight, how much the tags carried. My measurements were not exact, as it was not individual scales, but a full size truck scale. Tried to position: Both Front Axle
Front Left Axle
Both Drive Axle
Left Drive Axle
Both Tag Axle
Left Tag Axle

Full coach weight without toad
Full coach and toad weight

So that I could caculate the weight were individual axle. Being on the corner edge of the scale, I've never been real comfortable with the Left Side ownly measurements. So I added safety margins on top of the actual measurements.
My plan is to visit the Congress, AZ Escapees park, where they offer individual axle measurements. Then I will possibly tun my PSI down a bit if safet to do so.
Only added all of stuff about weights, as when it came to the Tags - the weight they carried surprised me. So the dropping down of the rear we note when lifting the Tags, was I feel explained well by Mikee.

Best to all, be safe, have fun,
Smitty

04 Allure 31017

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Re: Tag axle lift problems

Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 85960
Thank you Mikee
There is nothing on my HWH air leveling schematic called a ride height valve. Is that another term for the height control valve HCV. That is the air valve with an arm on it, with one side connected to the frame and the other end connected to the drive axle.

Kirk

Bear Label Machine

11415 Sunrise Gold Cir. Ste 8
Rancho Cordova, CA 95742
916-638-8433


From: "Mbaul@..." To: Country-Coach-Owners@yahoogroups.com Sent: Mon, February 18, 2013 4:48:17 AM Subject: Re: [Country-Coach-Owners] Re: Tag axle lift problems

It is built into the ride height valve.

Mikee



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Re: Tag axle lift problems

Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 85974
The ride height valve is part of the chassis, not the leveling system.

Mikee

Tag axle lift problems

Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 85885
I have replaced, and put straps on shocks for an '07 Intrigue plus a few others.

Regards,
Dave

Dave Rousey Jr. (Owner)
Former CC Technician
Styleworks RV/ Bus
Restoration LLC
4762 Long St.

Sweet Home, OR 97386
(541) 543-7983
daverjr4@...

Re: Tag axle lift problems

Reply #11 –
Yahoo Message Number: 85889
I am going to go out tomorrow and try and figure out why my MH drops 4 inches at the mud flap within10 seconds then takes over two minutes to lift back up on the drive axle. I will also time it to be more accurate with my numbers.
Thanks for the help.
Kirk

Bear Label Machine

11415 Sunrise Gold Cir. Ste 8
Rancho Cordova, CA 95742
916-638-8433


From: "daverjr4@..." To: "Country-Coach-Owners@yahoogroups.com" Sent: Fri, February 15, 2013 10:12:59 AM Subject: Re: [Country-Coach-Owners] Tag axle lift problems

I have replaced, and put straps on shocks for an '07 Intrigue plus a few others.

Regards,
Dave

Dave Rousey Jr. (Owner)
Former CC Technician
Styleworks RV/ Bus
Restoration LLC
4762 Long St.

Sweet Home, OR 97386
(541) 543-7983
daverjr4@...

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