TAG axle pros and cons

[596]

I have noticed quite a few sites do not allow TAG axles, this was reinforced today when I downloaded an app searchforsites kindly shared on the forum which shows a Red Cross over TAG vehicles on a lot of sites. When I was looking for a new van I did consider a TAG but found that the weight of the van counteracted the extra payload, this was the Swift range of TAG compared to my Swift 596 where TAG payload was 546kg compared to the 596 at 822kg as standard with paper upgrade to 1,072kg, and adding air assist to rear giving 1,272kg (more than enough for me). The other issue was the extra 1mtr length that I could not accommodate.

So what are the pros and cons of TAG axle vehicles.

Thanks

 

[The Wino]

I think you will get a lot who own TAG motorhomes saying theres no real problem and a lot who don't saying there is!!!! I think the big move to PVCs over the past few years shows what we all know smaller is better for access and travelling but once there bigger is better its all a compromise and whats best will depend on how you want to use your m/h. If you read the threads on here there are some serial m/h changers who realise the drawbacks of what they've got and change only to realise the drawbacks of the next one!

 

[596]

I think you will get a lot who own TAG motorhomes saying theres no real problem and a lot who don't saying there is!!!! I think the big move to PVCs over the past few years shows what we all know smaller is better for access and travelling but once there bigger is better its all a compromise and whats best will depend on how you want to use your m/h. If you read the threads on here there are some serial m/h changers who realise the drawbacks of what they've got and change only to realise the drawbacks of the next one!

Compromise certainly seems to be the only answer, I have certainly found that, size has been a huge concern for me as I’m going 1mtr longer, it balancing keeping grandkids happy an us having space on wet windy days, OK in SofF as we live outside but looking perhaps to use it more. I know our French site is a no TAG site.

 

[Mikey RV]

Got to buy more tyres.

 

[Abacist]

I have a N + B tag axle at 8.8 metres and clearly there are some camp sites and aires where the length of the van is too big for the available spaces but it has not yet proved to be off-putting, more a challenge to be conquered with personal satisfaction for the driving achieved.

Toll charges must be a problem as I am avoiding motorway tolls as I fear the cost could clock up. The system is unfair in classifying a private leisure vehicle in the same way as a 44 ton commercial truck!

I've not come across sites actually banning tag axles. Is that UK or in Europe?

For us the tag rides well and is less inclined to roll than a large double wheeled axle based van like the Merc based Hymer Starline.

Of course the length gives you the internal lounge space with a dedicated bedroom. We can sit 8 around our table when extended which is handy at rallies and get togethers.

Ours is 5 ton max laden weight and 6 ton gross train weight and I've not looked into the possibilities of upping this. Height is published at under 3 metres but the Oyster satellite dish takes it up to 3.2 metres when its folded flat.

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[TCG]

toll roads more expensive

 

[GAVLAD]

I have a tag axle EuraMobil Activa (820HS) and it's fantastic.
The space and the layout is brilliant and it has brilliant garage space for our needs considering it's a rear end lounge.
I couldn't get a motorbike in the garage due to the smaller garage doors but then we wouldn't all be able to go out on the motorbike together anyway.
Yes, there's two extra tyres to maintain but what's £250 when you take into account the cost of everything else.
I've never experienced any issues with the stability and ride comfort although my wife tells me that it can be bouncy in the back whilst travelling - we did have an empty garage at the time though.

I've never seen a campsite refuse a tag axle motorhome - are you sure that the exclusion on searchforsites is aimed at tag axle motorhomes and not tag axle caravans?
A lot of sites and storage facilities do not allow tag axle caravans because they're popular with the travelling community and they're afraid that once they're on they're on!
I suspect that this refers to tag axle caravans.

We have experienced booking issues with the Camping Club website when booking sites - it seems that although they'll accept an 8.6m (nearing 9 with tow bar/step) if you call the site directly, the website flatly refuses the booking which is annoying.
Some C&MC club sites only accept units up to 8.5m - due to the gravel/hard standing pitch having a grass verge around it, I have argued that the tow bar can overhang the hard standing bit over the grass - again if you speak with a 'human' rather than booking online, they will accept it.
I have booked as 8.5m online in the past.
Aires - I overhang the bay like most of the French do. Nobody has ever said anything and as long as I'm not blocking anyone, i don't think anyone cares.
If I think my MH will get damaged, I move on to the next Aire.
(as for being 7.5m/under, I've seen many of smaller vans not get onto the Aire because the tire is full so I wouldn't be concerned about the Aire in relation to making your decision)

French tolls have been an issue.
As you're aware, they charge on height and number of axles.
Mine's 3.3m high and 3 axles.
The automated booths - we've been charged class 2, 3 & 4 - so I don't think the French know what they're doing to be honest.
Being from Yorkshire, we always press the intercom button and plead that we are a camping car and 9/10 times they reduce the class and cost.

Like others have said, you need to weigh up (btw my payload is over 800kgs) whether you want the extra space or not.
Everything else in my view is part & parcel of motor homing.

 

[Jaws]

Had our tag a few years now.. As we do not use paeges that has not been an issue.. and as yet have never been refused entry to any of the ( albeit very few ) sites we have used

 

[funflair]

Strictly speaking we are talking about Tandem axles, this set up is basically to give you a longer heavier van but still on a FWD chassis, that’s one downside for me, yes the toll charges in France are stupid as a tandem axle van can have the same number of wheels as a heavier RWD chassis but still pays higher tolls.

Martin

 

[tacr2man]

I have never come across a ban on tag axle moho , but have when I used a twin axle caravan . Size is more a factor than number of axles . JMHE

Have to agree with funflair as to non positive side of a tag set up with fwd also same with rwd if no ability to lift non driven axle when on soft surfaces . Thats why mine is 6wd

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[596]

I have a tag axle EuraMobil Activa (820HS) and it's fantastic.
The space and the layout is brilliant and it has brilliant garage space for our needs considering it's a rear end lounge.
I couldn't get a motorbike in the garage due to the smaller garage doors but then we wouldn't all be able to go out on the motorbike together anyway.
Yes, there's two extra tyres to maintain but what's £250 when you take into account the cost of everything else.
I've never experienced any issues with the stability and ride comfort although my wife tells me that it can be bouncy in the back whilst travelling - we did have an empty garage at the time though.

I've never seen a campsite refuse a tag axle motorhome - are you sure that the exclusion on searchforsites is aimed at tag axle motorhomes and not tag axle caravans?
A lot of sites and storage facilities do not allow tag axle caravans because they're popular with the travelling community and they're afraid that once they're on they're on!
I suspect that this refers to tag axle caravans.

We have experienced booking issues with the Camping Club website when booking sites - it seems that although they'll accept an 8.6m (nearing 9 with tow bar/step) if you call the site directly, the website flatly refuses the booking which is annoying.
Some C&MC club sites only accept units up to 8.5m - due to the gravel/hard standing pitch having a grass verge around it, I have argued that the tow bar can overhang the hard standing bit over the grass - again if you speak with a 'human' rather than booking online, they will accept it.
I have booked as 8.5m online in the past.
Aires - I overhang the bay like most of the French do. Nobody has ever said anything and as long as I'm not blocking anyone, i don't think anyone cares.
If I think my MH will get damaged, I move on to the next Aire.
(as for being 7.5m/under, I've seen many of smaller vans not get onto the Aire because the tire is full so I wouldn't be concerned about the Aire in relation to making your decision)

French tolls have been an issue.
As you're aware, they charge on height and number of axles.
Mine's 3.3m high and 3 axles.
The automated booths - we've been charged class 2, 3 & 4 - so I don't think the French know what they're doing to be honest.
Being from Yorkshire, we always press the intercom button and plead that we are a camping car and 9/10 times they reduce the class and cost.

Like others have said, you need to weigh up (btw my payload is over 800kgs) whether you want the extra space or not.
Everything else in my view is part & parcel of motor homing.

GREAT POST thanks, yes the sign I saw was a picture of a motorhome with twin back axles and a Red Cross over it.

I have had the height issue as well as I am just under 3m but had a top box this year that triggered the sensors charging more, I did as you did and pressed the button, unpopular with the queue behind but in some instances save 30Euro.

Thanks for taking the time to reply.

 

[NorthernSands]

We have a Hymer E700 tag. All the tolls we've been through in France automatically put us in class 2. I really like it. The extra length gives us a separate shower, which is lovely, and it feels really spacious. It drives well, too.

It's worth noting that it's not a normal chassis with an extra axle; the rear of the chassis is replaced completely (Alko) and both rear axles are changed, so no leaf springs. This is one of the things that improves the ride.

We've certainly not had any problems, no sites we couldn't go on and have zero regrets getting a tag. Everything is a compromise, but we've not found the down sides yet...

 

[596]

In all fairness this is the key to the icons and although the Motorhome at the bottom of the list shows twin axles it does state large vehicle, not sure what the definition of large is but some I saw had a Red Cross over this symbol ?

 

[John and Jo]

I bought my tag axle in January this year. Its 8.6m long but I dont think the length is too much of a problem as my previous Swift was not far short the time I "strapped" the scooter on the back. It's now nicely stored in a huge garage, one of the reasons for buying.

I have noticed the Searchforsites key with the red cross through a tag but they are few. Most just seem to leave the large icon faded out. I have also noticed over 8.5 some sites give as a max length and yes when looking for a site you do need to bear in mind the size.

I have squeezed through some tight spots and traveled around the alps and through France on non toll roads and yes it could get costly if you get classed a a class 4. I rather enjoyed the non toll route and you do see more but it is slower.

 

[596]

My new one is 8.1m so similar length, it doesn’t faze me either as my previous was 7.3 ish, it’s all about planning and preparation plus of course being alert and not getting yourself into situations like up narrow lanes that you have no idea where they go ?

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[JockandRita]

I am a subscriber to Search For Sites, and as explained above, the red cross over the tandem axle MH icon, signifies that large MHs are unsuitable for that location.

In 14 x years of owning our tandem axled Hymer, we have never been refused entry either here in the UK or abroad, due to our length or extra axle.

A tag axle is one which can be raised or lowered, and is normally only found on HGVs.

Cheers,

Jock.

 

[Wh05apk]

We've only had our 8.5m tag since January,but to drive, is far better, stability is rock solid, none of the movement when being overtaken by hgvs on motorways, and because 2 axles to spread the load, the rear suspension can be softer, improving the ride.
Downsides, can't think of any, tyres wear is presumably less on the rears, so negligible extra cost long term.

 

[596]

All this TAG stuff, yes I did look at one but WHY is the payload less, just doesn't make sense, dealer tried to tell me that it was heavier with twin rear axles. My twin axle without air assist will have double the payload of the Swift TAG and with air assist another 200kg.

Sorry can't get my head around it.

 

[tacr2man]

A positive with tandem rear is usually tyre pressures can be lowered and thus improve ride quality , you also lower ground pressure for the rear so when fwd better mobility on soft surfaces .

 

[Wh05apk]

All this TAG stuff, yes I did look at one but WHY is the payload less, just doesn't make sense, dealer tried to tell me that it was heavier with twin rear axles. My twin axle without air assist will have double the payload of the Swift TAG and with air assist another 200kg.

Sorry can't get my head around it.

I think you'll find normally the payload is more, ours is nearly 1t. Swift have probably just done a tag as a marketing ploy without altering anything else to allow an increased payload.

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[Jaws]

All this TAG stuff, yes I did look at one but WHY is the payload less, just doesn't make sense, dealer tried to tell me that it was heavier with twin rear axles. My twin axle without air assist will have double the payload of the Swift TAG and with air assist another 200kg.

Sorry can't get my head around it.

Payload less ?
Ours is nearly a ton !

 

[boxerdog]

hi sold our tag last year after loosing the other half and decided to look for a smaller unit found the main problem was tolls always got taged as class 4 so quite costly when touring no real problems on sites

 

[tonyidle]

A tag axle is one which can be raised or lowered, and is normally only found on HGVs.

I always thought a tag axle was the rearmost non-driven axle on an HGV? The expression was around before lift axles were a thing.

 

[Mikey RV]

Love mine, 9 metres, good payload, plenty of room inside, big garage, 3Ltr, 190 BHP, 25mpg, never been charged more than class 2 on the tolls on Europe. When campsites say max size 8.5 metres I always ring ahead and explain we have big hangover and never been a problem, so overhang can go over at the back of pitch. The no tag axles normally refers to caravans because of the gypsy rigade with hobby caravans.

 

[Sheddy]

The tolls in France are generally measured on height, and at most booths we only get charged class 2 with our Rapido tag, however if they spot your tag they will up it to 4. Only today we went through a payage paying class 2 that last year we were charged 4 ( I did try the Camping Car thing on the button last year, the response was "you have 6 wheels class 4".)
Our old Bessie with the over cab blimp was a PITA, I was always pressing the button.
Cheers
Ed

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[Rudski01]

I always thought a tag axle was the rearmost non-driven axle on an HGV? The expression was around before lift axles were a thing.

As I know it the tag actually steers to bring the turning circle down, this is on coaches and wagons not Motorhome’s.

 

[G7UXG]

I've had a tag axle or tandem axle (call it what you wish) for 3 months... Love it.

8.1 metres long, 5000kg gross, 1000kg payload, fully loaded with all of our kit, full fuel tank, full water tank and both us, it's about 4770kg, so well under the limit. Rear axles combined weigh 2970kg (max permissible is 3200kg) and front weighs 1800kg (max permissible 2100kg).

Handling is far more stable in all circumstances, less roll, more comfortable ride, less pitching forwards and backwards. I could always feel this in our previous motorhomes when going over speed humps etc. The rear end is always heavier than the front, and with the large overhang of most motorhomes with a single rear axle, I found that they tend to 'rotate' or pitch about the rear axle, making the front end momentarily light. None of that with the two rear axles.

Lower rear tyre pressures make for a more compliant ride. Carthago recommend about 45psi (3 bar) in the rears but that seems a little low to me. Mine are at about 55psi.

As for downsides, haven't found any as yet, but then I've not had to buy tyres. I'd expect a little more rear tyre wear as a result of scrubbing when turning sharp corners and manoeuvring etc. Time will tell, but in the grand scheme of things, it's a small price to pay for the benefits.

It's no more difficult to drive that any of my four previous 7.5 metre 4.25 ton motorhomes, and I've still only been charged class 2 on the French tolls (we're under 3 metres high).

 

[JockandRita]

I always thought a tag axle was the rearmost non-driven axle on an HGV? The expression was around before lift axles were a thing.

Quite possibly Tony, ie, tagging on behind, however, my experience with modern HGV tractor units and trailers differs to that, as the "tag" axles are not always to the rear of the driven axle.

The tolls in France are generally measured on height, and at most booths we only get charged class 2 with our Rapido tag, however if they spot your tag they will up it to 4. Only today we went through a payage paying class 2 that last year we were charged 4 ( I did try the Camping Car thing on the button last year, the response was "you have 6 wheels class 4".)

That was our experience Ed, at the Peage booth at Poitiers Nord two years ago, and once at the A16 booth north of Boulogne on a previous occasion. It was definitely the extra axle/six wheels which brought about that response.

Rita and I hope that you and Shirley both well. Safe travels south.

Cheers,

Jock.