4 rear wheels?

[zen1th]

Hello folks,

Sorry for a newbie question, but I can’t seem to find a definitive answer.

Noticed on some Motorhomes, that they have four wheels at the rear.
I’m assuming this is due to weight, but seeing as some only have two at the rear I’m a little unsure.

Any reasons for and against picking a MH with 4 rear wheels?

Thanks.

 

[Richard n Ann]

You're right, they can carry a lot more weight

 

[GeoffnDee]

They have a better payload but You will need the required licence to drive one as they will be over 3500 kl

 

[Landy Andy]

Some campsites don’t like, or allow them into their sites.

 

[Brains]

4 x rear wheel and one axel tend to be older vehicles.
Usually pre 2014, which means not Euro 4 or Euro 5 engines, which will increasingly exclude you from City centres today, and town centres over the next few years.
They are usually over 3.5t, which means you need a C1 licence to drive them.
They are also typically limited to 60 mph by a speed governor.

Tag axel - which means one front axel and two rear axels with one tyre each.
Tend to be longer (8m plus) motorhomes.
Also usually (always ??) over 3.5t, which means a C1 licence as a minimum.
Also may be legally restricted to 60mph (but may not be fitted with a speed governor)

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[varaizian]

I've had the person manning a toll booth in Spain look out of the window to check how many rear wheels we have. Only 2 in our case but, presumably, the charge is higher for a tag axle vehicle.

 

[Al n Val]

Some campsites don’t like, or allow them into their sites.

We’ve never been refused in 6.5 yrs anywhere

 

[zen1th]

Thanks everyone.

I passed my test around 1987, so pretty sure I have C1 on it. Need to check though.

The speed limit is something to be aware of, although I guess most people don’t drive much above that for fuel economy?

The toll charges is a good point as well.

Only looking for something around 7.5 M long, so probably won’t come across many Tag-axels.

Cheers

 

[martin west dorset]

Hello folks,

Sorry for a newbie question, but I can’t seem to find a definitive answer.

Noticed on some Motorhomes, that they have four wheels at the rear.
I’m assuming this is due to weight, but seeing as some only have two at the rear I’m a little unsure.

Any reasons for and against picking a MH with 4 rear wheels?

Thanks.

Do you mean 4 wheels on single axle or twin axles ie tag axle? I have had a couple of motor homes with 4 wheels on single driven axle & that makes for much better traction especially on soft ground with twice as much rubber in contact with the ground, but downside is more tyres to replace when required also the weight of the van is spread over more wheels.

 

[bigtwin]

The speed limit is something to be aware of, although I guess most people don’t drive much above that for fuel economy?

You have been misinformed. Speed limits are unrelated to either the number of rear wheels or the gross vehicle weights.

Speed limits for motorhomes are determined by the UNLADEN weight of the vehicle, for which the determining threshold is 3050 Kg.

Ian

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[oilrag]

I've had the person manning a toll booth in Spain look out of the window to check how many rear wheels we have. Only 2 in our case but, presumably, the charge is higher for a tag axle vehicle.

Not happened to me ever and I'm regularly on the tolls, even in fr and Portugal or morrocco, tho thankfully tolls are dissappearing except France.
Am I getting anti tag vibes?

 

[zen1th]

Do you mean 4 wheels on single axle or twin axles ie tag axle? I have had a couple of motor homes with 4 wheels on single driven axle & that makes for much better traction especially on soft ground with twice as much rubber in contact with the ground, but downside is more tyres to replace when required also the weight of the van is spread over more wheels.

Honestly, I’m not sure.

 

[optimus-prime]

You have been misinformed. Speed limits are unrelated to either the number of rear wheels or the gross vehicle weights.

Speed limits for motorhomes are determined by the UNLADEN weight of the vehicle, for which the determining threshold is 3050 Kg.

Ian

I guess it depends on the country. I know a few where the gross vehicle weight is decisive.