because 10 tires isn't enough???

[bushpilot-TC]

2012 Freightliner Coronado w/ 35' Haulmark Luxury Motorcoach | eBay

Gotta wonder what this guy was thinking or PLANNING to tow...
Steerable Tag axle....

 

[MnTom-FRF]

Maybe he was worried about getting pinched for overweight? Or maybe he had it and put it on for the "cool" factor? Either way it looks good!

edit: I just looked at the ad and even he says it's "cool"!

 

[samcrimm]

I never saw how long it is. Looks like more than 45'. Maybe the length and a toter he need the extra rubber.

 

[bushpilot-TC]

he's towing a 25 foot 2 axle trailer (dirt bikes) according to the add - COMPLETE over kill w/ that tag.

 

[MnTom-FRF]

COMPLETE over kill w/ that tag.

Yea, but he said it "looks cool". I can't say as it looks cool enough to be $30,000 cool! I think the saw him coming for that money........

 

[samcrimm]

i pm you bushpilot

 

[porky69]

Tag axle would transfer even more weight to what is a heavily loaded steering axle already(or at least mine is)....

 

[bushpilot-TC]

Tag axle would transfer even more weight to what is a heavily loaded steering axle already(or at least mine is)....

I couldn't agree more - when you see a dump truck or HD tow truck w/ a TAG (3rd Axle) its always IN FRONT of the drives.

 

[hot rod]

I can only suspect the truck was built with the intention of towing a really heavy stacker race trailer.

 

[DeepVee]

It says the axle is "steerable" so I wonder if it's a maneuverability thing. Could he lower the extra axle and raise the duals to steer into a tight spot?

 

[MnTom-FRF]

No, you couldn't maneuver with the tag. Steerable means the wheels steer like casters. That way you aren't dragging them on every corner.

 

[bushpilot-TC]

It says the axle is "steerable" so I wonder if it's a maneuverability thing. Could he lower the extra axle and raise the duals to steer into a tight spot?

both of the rear duels are drive axles (open diff's until you lock each diff or lock both axles together...ala 8 wheel drive).

the (rear most) TAG axle is weight bearing (or usually it is), I doubt this tag has brakes - but I suppose it could.

lowering that rear most tag would put more load/leverage on the front axle (as someone else pointed out) - so unless that front axle has been upgraded / optioned to a higher weight capacity you could easily exceed the rated weight for the front axle.

 

[38Chevy454]

Maybe the tag axle is for the mother-in-law quarters

 

[bushpilot-TC]

Maybe the tag axle is for the mother-in-law quarters

that must be one big (ass) M-I-L!

I think this guy has the MIL solution figure out....she can even ride back there if she gets to chatty

 

[blacktruck-TC]

My thoughts on this.

Tag axle would transfer even more weight to what is a heavily loaded steering axle already(or at least mine is)....

I would strongly agree with Porky here. I would suspect he is at or approaching the limits for the front axle or tires, a tag behind the drivers will do nothing to help that situation. Being cool is a personal opinion and mine is that this misses that definition. I like the idea of a Class 8 MH to be sure but I'm thinking this one just wasn't for my tastes.

 

[MnTom-FRF]

Um, you guys realize that when the tag is on the ground all it is doing is helping keep the rear axle weights legal. The only way the tag will increase the steering axle weight is to attempt to take almost all the weight off the drives. It is way to close (think of a lever) to the drives to add anything to the steering.

 

[porky69]

It is exactly a lever with the drives as the pivot.

Years ago I drove a truck with a pusher (tag in front of drives) and it would lift 2000lb or more off of the steering axle on a 244inch wheelbase and I pulled a 53ft triaxle trailer that had a tag mounted behind the tridem and it would transfer an easy 3000lbs to the kingpin, a fairly similar dimension to a large coach.

Granted you probably wouldn't max out the tag on the coach l8-12000lb depending on build)) it wouls still put a few hundred pounds on the steer and if that chassis is anywhere close to mine the steers are already at or over15000lbs so not a lot of room for extra weight.

 

[bushpilot-TC]

surely adding lift behind the drives will add weight to the steers

 

[MnTom-FRF]

surely adding lift behind the drives will add weight to the steers

Yep. You are right. I have absolutely NO FRIGGIN idea what I am talking about.

 

[bushpilot-TC]

Yep. You are right. I have absolutely NO FRIGGIN idea what I am talking about.

well thanks for taking the time to educate me ....maybe your day will improve