twin axle

[Russell E]

is this a bad choice for a motorhome? wondered if anybody knows the pros and cons of this sort of motorhome. As eventually going to live in it thinking may be more suitable for a slightly larger load, as I have old style driving licence weight not a problem. Thanks

 

[Burge]

How many Spare Wheels do you carry ????

 

[Bustup15]

How many Spare Wheels do you carry ????

Why?

 

[Bustup15]

is this a bad choice for a motorhome? wondered if anybody knows the pros and cons of this sort of motorhome. As eventually going to live in it thinking may be more suitable for a slightly larger load, as I have old style driving licence weight not a problem. Thanks

No problem that I've come across in the last 5 years. Longer vehicle, more room, more load, generally.

 

[ORPP2]

We have one and have lived in it for the past 7 years. No probs. Enjoy.

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[Wh05apk]

We've just changed from a tag, stability on motorways is superb, and the ride is better as rear springs can be softer.
Downside is that manoeuvreability and access around tight sites can be harder, as rear tag increases turning circle.

 

[Run to the Sun]

Its really down to your personal preferences whether its a good or bad choice, I wouldn't say its bad choice, others might think its a bad choice. With the tag you will get over 8M and at least 5T overall weight, you shouldn't need to worry about payload which is plus. If you like space then its a good choice, some campsites don't like tags but I wouldn't let that put you off, some sites charge more for large MH's. I would carry a spare wheel and a tyre, especially if you are heading into Europe, stops any agg if the tyre shreds and the roadside assistance/garage don't stock what you need. Tolls will be class 4, more costs. IMO the drive is smoother, parking sometimes is more difficult.

Some of have black waste tanks, something else to consider if its not a cassette.

 

[JockandRita]

is this a bad choice for a motorhome? wondered if anybody knows the pros and cons of this sort of motorhome. As eventually going to live in it thinking may be more suitable for a slightly larger load, as I have old style driving licence weight not a problem. Thanks

We had a rear tandem axled Hymer for 14/15 x years, with the only problem being charged as Class 4 on the French Peage system, due to the extra axle. A bit of a nonsense really, but it's their rules.

Cheers,

Jock.

P.S. They are not "tag axles", they are tandem axles.

 

[Verteuil Man]

We have a Hymer B778 PL tag axle. As yet the only issue that I have found is that the train weight cannot be uprated (1000 kg in my case) because the Alko chassis tapers after the tag. Other than that, no issues at all.

 

[bigtwin]

We had one (a Dethleffs) for 14 years; it was a great vehicle.

If you don’t have levelling jacks (we didn’t), then levelling ramps on the rear are ineffective but we got round that by carrying four decking planks that could be used in any combination either side. They were also useful to prevent you sinking on grass pitches making driving off problem free.

As others have said they are super stable on motorways (and on winding roads.

Ian

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[Fulham Dave]

We have fulltimed in our Dethleffs for past 4 years. Loads of room and plenty of payload. You get used to it's size, so manoeuvring becomes easier. We have our size and weight on our sat nav, so it has not sent us down any narrow lanes thus far.

As others have said, towing a car would probably be an issue as max train weight for an Alko chassis is 6150kg. We tow a trailer and trike instead.

We added full air and levellers after 12 months. It improved the stability and also made levelling a breeze.

All in all we are very happy with our choice and would not change it. We rarely use toll roads, so fees for class 4 not a problem, we just take it slow and use the non toll roads, enjoy the scenery and the villages.

Enjoy whatever you decide upon and happy travels

 

[Russell E]

We had one (a Dethleffs) for 14 years; it was a great vehicle.

If you don’t have levelling jacks (we didn’t), then levelling ramps on the rear are ineffective but we got round that by carrying four decking planks that could be used in any combination either side. They were also useful to prevent you sinking on grass pitches making driving off problem free.

As others have said they are super stable on motorways (and on winding roads.

Ian

thanks thats very useful to know

 

[oilrag]

Wouldn't want any other than a tag, lots of space, stability on the roads, 1000kg payload, the only real downside is buying 7 tyres every so often. A bit of planning is needed in UK but once in Europe no issues with Aires or sites.
As an aside, we were charged class 2 on all French tolls on our return to Southern Spain last week, it's not often I get a class 3 at the booths.
The C1 licence may be an obstacle to some I imagine. So don't discount a tag 6 wheeler without having a good look at them.
Personal preference is the deciding factor.

 

[RandallC]

Tandem axle Kontiki for 8 years. Very happy, would still have it, but for the comfortmatic gear box. 5 trips on a low loader, despite fiat pro saying its ok

 

[Jofang]

We had a rear tandem axled Hymer for 14/15 x years, with the only problem being charged as Class 4 on the French Peage system, due to the extra axle. A bit of a nonsense really, but it's their rules.

Cheers,

Jock.

P.S. They are not "tag axles", they are tandem axles.

Well said Jock. 2 axles on a moho is a tandem axle unless one is also a driving axle, which I've never seen on a moho, then the undriven axle is a tag or sometimes known as a trailing axle. I've mentioned this on here before and been shouted down by others that 'know' better. We have a tandem axle Hymer.

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[JockandRita]

Well said Jock. 2 axles on a moho is a tandem axle unless one is also a driving axle, which I've never seen on a moho, then the undriven axle is a tag or sometimes known as a trailing axle. I've mentioned this on here before and been shouted down by others that 'know' better. We have a tandem axle Hymer.

And invariably they are lift axles.

BTW, I'm sure Mercedes did a MH chassis with 2 x rear axles, (on certain Rapidos and Pilotes), with the forward one being driven, and the rear being trailing/tag..............but definitely not a lift axle.

Cheers,

Jock.

 

[Barriesimpson]

P.S. They are not "tag axles", they are tandem axles.

Thank you JockandRita, that has been bugging me for a while now.

 

[tacr2man]

Just to add to somes confusion mine is not a tag as all axles are driven

 

[bigtwin]

Well said Jock. 2 axles on a moho is a tandem axle unless one is also a driving axle, which I've never seen on a moho, then the undriven axle is a tag or sometimes known as a trailing axle. I've mentioned this on here before and been shouted down by others that 'know' better. We have a tandem axle Hymer.

You’re just tagging onto the back of JockandRita ’s (band)wagon.

Ian

 

[Jofang]

Just to add to somes confusion mine is not a tag as all axles are driven

6x4, nice one! Anyone got a half track?

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[Northernraider]

I've had 3 tag axles, my gripes were low ground clearance , sometimes harder to park and thirdly being front wheel drive. It doesn't happen often but if you find yourself with one front wheel of the ground you're going nowhere. I managed this twice .


I prefer rear wheel drive and a dual wheel axle instead.

Pushing weight rather than dragging it.

All the benefits of a tag axle motorhome can be found on a rwd dual wheel motorhome and often exceeded.


As someone else said its all down to preferences and how you intend to use it.

 

[Jofang]

I've had 3 tag axles, my gripes were low ground clearance , sometimes harder to park and thirdly being front wheel drive. It doesn't happen often but if you find yourself with one front wheel of the ground you're going nowhere. I managed this twice .


I prefer rear wheel drive and a dual wheel axle instead.

Pushing weight rather than dragging it.

All the benefits of a tag axle motorhome can be found on a rwd dual wheel motorhome and often exceeded.


As someone else said its all down to preferences and how you intend to use it.

I agree with your comments and would prefer a a single axle with 4 wheels. Unfortunately, the moho market in France is centred around 3500kg and anything heavier is not common, so when we found our tandem axle Hymer we sealed a deal promptly. I think this scarceity is down to licencing laws in France, as grandfather rights do not exist and a C1 test, same as in the UK, is onerous. Roll on 4250kg soon, hopefully.

 

[Ridgeway]

Biggest downside we’ve found is a front wheel drive 5.5t wheel van (most tags are this) ain’t the best on damp ground, ie they’re the first to get stuck.

If you’re aware of that then they can be great for all the reasons people have mentioned.

 

[JockandRita]

Biggest downside we’ve found is a front wheel drive 5.5t wheel van (most tags are this) ain’t the best on damp ground, ie they’re the first to get stuck.

That's why I fitted winter tyres to ours, and never suffered FWD slip again.

We are RWD with twin wheels now.

Cheers,

Jock.

 

[WESTY66]

That's why I fitted winter tyres to ours, and never suffered FWD slip again.

We are RWD with twin wheels now.

Cheers,

Jock.

As an aside Jock if you were to fit snow chains, are they available in twin wheel format for your size wheel, and I would imagine a little harder to install than the single wheel or would one just put a single on the outer wheel
That said it’s a small price to pay for twin wheel rwd

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[JockandRita]

As an aside Jock if you were to fit snow chains, are they available in twin wheel format for your size wheel, and I would imagine a little harder to install than the single wheel or would one just put a single on the outer wheel
That said it’s a small price to pay for twin wheel rwd

I'm not sure if available in twin wheel format Adie, but I suspect they'd just be fitted on the outer of the twin wheels.
Fortunately, I have managed to stay clear of the need for snow chains or socks, and hope to continue with that.

The weather forecast nearer the time, will dictate which route we take down through France early in January. Although previously the Western Route, we did the Central Route last January which was clear all the way.

Cheers,

Jock.

 

[AdrianChen]

Biggest downside we’ve found is a front wheel drive 5.5t wheel van (most tags are this) ain’t the best on damp ground, ie they’re the first to get stuck.

If you’re aware of that then they can be great for all the reasons people have mentioned.

Our previous van was an 7.9m Eline tag/tandem. It was very nice to drive, even if the suspension was a little soft and at that time few options to fit VB etc. It was rated at 5.5. We dont tow, so there was no downside to the relatively lower rating. We did come across a few sites seemingly not keen on them, but don't remember it being a problem, however we did have to be careful on wet grass, and I suspect the current twin wheel van would have been kinder to the surface having seen some of the scrubing the rear wheels had inflicted. The E was FWD, and that is probably the more noticeable difference for my use. It scrabbled up any loose inclined surface getting in and out of site entrances, and didn't have a great turning circle. Stability/crosswind performance was great, I've had cars that were worse!

The current van is 8.6m, pretty much as stable on a motorway/crosswinds etc. Because it is RWD(?) the turning circle is very good, helps in tight places (the worst seem to be McDonald car parks). In fact I'd say the larger van is easier. On wet grass it is certainly better, with no scrabbling up those loose inclines. There is a diff lock and although I have used it, I probably didn't need to. Not sure if it's a direct cause of the axle or RWD, but the ground clearance is better, the downside being the van is taller, but as yet that's made no difference. Payload is good at 6.7 with its current setup (not sure if it can be increased). MPG is more about the weight I guess - but the Merc at over 5t was around 24mpg, and the twin is at best 20mpg (6.3 running).

Cant compare them to a single as I have never run one - but I think if we ever change, and still not towing I'd be quite happy to go back to a tag/tandem, if all the other aspects payload engine ride comfort etc were met. ie it wouldn't be the main priority. Of course if we did get a FWD - Tag, I would moan, but then I'm over 60!

 

[haganap]

As an aside Jock if you were to fit snow chains, are they available in twin wheel format for your size wheel, and I would imagine a little harder to install than the single wheel or would one just put a single on the outer wheel
That said it’s a small price to pay for twin wheel rwd

You just put them on outside wheels. Not a pain to fit if you have jacks...done as a few times on the merc and the iveco when in the alps..

Regarding the OP

You've had everything I would say.

Love our Tag axle ducato, 8m air suspension, planted beautifully on the road, it's our 3rd tag (cough cough tandem) axle
They literally eat miles on the motorways if you want to go somewhere.

I've had 3 twin axle vans iveco and merc based. Nice vans and nice to push rather than pull, but my preference is for the wonderful planted feeling you get with the tag over the wobble on a twin wheel van.

As said, my only issue is if my van looks at grass, it gets stuck..

 

[JockandRita]

I've had 3 twin axle vans iveco and merc based. Nice vans and nice to push rather than pull, but my preference is for the wonderful planted feeling you get with the tag over the wobble on a twin wheel van.

What wobble is that then Paul? If fitted, was your air suspension faulty?

BTW, I hope you've had some joy re your heat exchanger.

Cheers,

Jock.

 

[tacr2man]

6x4, nice one! Anyone got a half track?

6x6