Tag axle?

[Mikey RV]

I just sold an 8.4 metre tag Frankia
I liked the stable drive of it was very steady on the road. Spacious inside and large garage.
I did find the low overhang grounded several times and I got stuck on wet grass several times.
I drove everywhere at 60mph and never achieved more than 22mpg with the 3 litre 160bhp manual 6 speed.

Parking was sometimes an issue whereas the twin wheeled Merc of the same length has more overhang and more ground clearance at the rear ....But it also is Rockier than the tag.

It was my second tag axle as I had a burstner Argos tag about 8 years ago.

Overall great van but few things to consider is grounding and parking restrictions.
No idea about sites as i didn't use them ....vans of that size don't really require them.

Tam that’s the same engine I have 3 litre 160bhp 6 speed my mpg of 27.4 was on a long run at 60mph on the French and spanish motorways. I normally average out between 23/25 mpg

 

[jdk62]

Thanks for all of your replies, it seems the only negatives are the size when in tight spots and the cost .......hmm decisions...

Are we talking about Tag axles or an intimate moment....?

 

[Jaws]

Thanks for all of your replies, it seems the only negatives are the size when in tight spots and the cost .......hmm decisions...

And considering that road tax is ( at the mement ) £165, even cost is not that bad

 

[Northernraider]

Tam that’s the same engine I have 3 litre 160bhp 6 speed my mpg of 27.4 was on a long run at 60mph on the French and spanish motorways. I normally average out between 23/25 mpg

That's quite impressive. Like I said I never got more than 22 and that was going by the on-board computer as I could never be bothered working it all out. The norm was between 19.5 and 21.5 for me.
I got so used to sitting at 60mph even now I'm never over 60 in the car lol

 

[bigtwin]

Ive no experience with 8.5m tag axle MoHo's but I'm interested to know where you guys use them.

I cant recall seeing many tags (1 or 2 only) on my travels up North so I'm assuming that tag MoHo's are mores suited to continental travel and caravan sites.

We use ours all over, including the North West of Scotland and on single track roads.

Ian

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[bigtwin]

I didn’t say it doesn’t happen, I said it hasn’t happened to us.

I didn’t say that you’d said it doesn’t happen!

I was merely trying to provide balance for the OP.

Most sites don’t have any issue with tags, but some do. Consequently it isn’t difficult to find people who haven’t had a problem.
I was simply indicating that what some might imply is an urban myth is, in fact, a reality, albeit an infrequent issue.

Ian

 

[Northernraider]

We use ours all over, including the North West of Scotland and on single track roads.

Ian

Took mine all over Scotland too with no issues including the belach na ba and actually managed not to ground it on that either.

 

[bigtwin]

Took mine all over Scotland too with no issues including the belach na ba and actually managed not to ground it on that either.

Glad you managed it safely!

Mine has a ridiculously long overhang with less than 12” of ground clearance. Couple this with a very high reverse gear and, having crossed the pass on my motorbike, was enough for me to conclude that discretion was the better part of valour.

Ian

 

[Northernraider]

Glad you managed it safely!

Mine has a ridiculously long overhang with less than 12” of ground clearance. Couple this with a very high reverse gear and, having crossed the pass on my motorbike, was enough for me to conclude that discretion was the better part of valour.

Ian

Yeah the low overhang on mine caused me a few probs in Spain etc something I don't miss.

Haven't done the pass on a bike so I'm jealous of that as it's probably the most fun vehicle to do it with

 

[Reallyretired]

Nobody has yet mentioned that the greater mgw allowed by a tag effectively comes off the towing limit as the train weight remains the same. Not a problem if you don't want to tow anything of course but if you want a trailer or a toad a tag axle may be unsuitable. Some have a towing limit of close to zero.(train weight minus mgw)

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[Ridgeway]

Good thread as we are currently evaluating a 6 wheeled ice cream van for next year. The overhang on most 8.5m vans seems to be about the same as our current 7.3m van. Think i've worked out that getting on the drive will be a 3 step process as i don't think i can swing it round in 1 go, either that or cut some more of the neighbours wall (again...)

Also worthing noting that in some countries you'll need a Gobox or alternative once you're +3.5t instead of an easier vignette.

 

[wbafc]

we have a TAG never been refused here or in France only had one tight squeeze in 6 years and get 24 miles to the gallon when on a run, 21 when towing the little car, that is with a 3 litre ducato automatic. Very stable and a joy to drive our van is 8.05 metres in length just be aware of the rear end. I am selling mine but just want more room for the grand kid other than that I would keep it we both love it.
go for it.
Mal

 

[Blue Knight]

We use ours all over, including the North West of Scotland and on single track roads.

Ian

Ah, in that case Ian you were probably the tag axle that we saw on our travels.

 

[bigtwin]

Nobody has yet mentioned that the greater mgw allowed by a tag effectively comes off the towing limit as the train weight remains the same. Not a problem if you don't want to tow anything of course but if you want a trailer or a toad a tag axle may be unsuitable. Some have a towing limit of close to zero.(train weight minus mgw)

You have a point but your statement that I have bolded is a common misconception. The bolded text is true only if you are running at the MGW.

Each stated weight on the VIN plate must not be exceeded but the ‘towed’ weight is not derived by the subtraction you suggest.

The trailer will have its own gross weight and that, too, must not be exceeded.

Thus, if the MTW is 5,500 Kg and the vehicle MGW is 5,000 Kg but is actually running at 4,000Kg then you may tow up to 1,500 Kg without exceeding the MTW.

Ian

 

[Northernraider]

Think mine could how a 1000kg while at max weight of 5200kg

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[Mikey RV]

Nobody has yet mentioned that the greater mgw allowed by a tag effectively comes off the towing limit as the train weight remains the same. Not a problem if you don't want to tow anything of course but if you want a trailer or a toad a tag axle may be unsuitable. Some have a towing limit of close to zero.(train weight minus mgw)

I can tow a ton with mine which is just about right for my Toyota IQ and A frame.

 

[Reallyretired]

You have a point but your statement that I have bolded is a common misconception. The bolded text is true only if you are running at the MGW.

Each stated weight on the VIN plate must not be exceeded but the ‘towed’ weight is not derived by the subtraction you suggest.

The trailer will have its own gross weight and that, too, must not be exceeded.

Thus, if the MTW is 5,500 Kg and the vehicle MGW is 5,000 Kg but is actually running at 4,000Kg then you may tow up to 1,500 Kg without exceeding the MTW.

Ian

Yes but have to consider that many motorhomes run very close to their mgw.

 

[Geo]

.

 

[joe and sue]

we have a 2000 "W" reg Autotrail Chieftain TAG with 2.8 JTDi average 26 mpg almost every trip, MGW 4,5 tons, MTW 5.5 tons according to plates, usually running at 4 tons.
As others have said great to drive, very stable, lots of room,
We always ask when using supermarkets etc for shopping and at any accessible car parks, and never had a problem, Also if using a pub for lunch or stop-over. have asked if we can leave van there to go into town, most have no problem.
Have always found it is good to talk to people.
Joe & Sue

 

[Badknee]

Agree with most of what you say except the "good in snow" any of the tag axles I have owned (4) have been absolutely shocking in wet conditions, snow frost and wet grass.

Whatever you do don’t go anywhere near snow!
Yes I am speaking from experience

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