Tag axle?

[Wh05apk]

We have seen a van we like, a voyager 8.5 with tag axle, what are the advantages and disadvantages of a tag, the payload is about a ton, so presumably that is one, how are they to manoeuvre?
The van is much longer than our current one, but apart from around town in tight streets, and some aires, don't see this as too much of an issue, and the interior space when pitched is fantastic.

 

[Badknee]

All the things you mention, ours was weighed completely empty and came in @3600kgs. I had it updated too 5250kgs. Then we started adding gear to make it livable as fulltimers sat/solar/scooter/gas tank, everything for our first winter as snowbirds and fully loaded we were 200kgs under weight and all three axles were fine.
Some pitches are tight but there’s thousands of mohos out there as long as you, you will be fine.

 

[martin2603]

Looks like you have answered most of your questions, I am on my second, Pros, Payload, interion space, stability on the road, good in snow.
Cons, well you do have to be aware of the smaller roads on your travels, but I have not been caught out yet, some campsites can be a challenge, so pays to have a look first, but once you get used to the extra length manoeuvrability is ok. Fuel consumption, on the 3.0 litre Ducato average 24, on a long run 26. ( I had it remapped to 196bhp) The 2.3 180 h p we have now does about the same.

 

[Jim]

We've owned a tag. Drove it straight out of the dealers and realised we were on fumes so pulled into a garage. While I was filling I realised that I was far too close to the pumps and my tight left turn to exit would result in tail swing that would take the pumps out. Had to reverse out. Never made that mistake again
They are a little less manouvereable but very stable when driving, can be a pain to get level. No other issues i remember

 

[Badknee]

They are a little less manouvereable but very stable when driving, can be a pain to get level. No other issues i remember

Your right there @Jim they certainly are so we had S&W jacks fitted last month so now it’s a total doddle.

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[rosalan]

I believe that some campsites do not allow tag axles because they tear the grass when turning.

 

[Jim]

I believe that some campsites do not allow tag axles because they tear the grass when turning.

I've heard that before, but never come across it in practice.

 

[maz]

I believe that some campsites do not allow tag axles because they tear the grass when turning.

No, that would be some drivers tear the grass when turning.

 

[funflair]

Could/should be class4 on French tolls and will be front wheel drive so not the best on wet grass and muddy fields.

Martin

 

[PJGWiltshire]

Could/should be class4 on French tolls and will be front wheel drive so not the best on wet grass and muddy fields.

Martin

Had a Tag axle for 7 years. When using toll roads in France would automatically be shown class 4, pressed intercom and stated camping car and was passed as a class 2.

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[Brian and Jo]

We are on our third tag axle and we love it ,large payload,never been refused from a site,loads of internal space,had full air suspension fitted on ours and it’s a great drive
Brian & Jo

 

[Wh05apk]

. Fuel consumption, on the 3.0 litre Ducato average 24, on a long run 26. ( I had it remapped to 196bhp) The 2.3 180 h p we have now does about the same.

That's good to hear, our current 130 gutless wonder, isn't much better.

 

[Badknee]

I believe that some campsites do not allow tag axles because they tear the grass when turning.

Never been refused anywhere yet. Some sites I’ve looked at give maximum lengths below ours so just go elsewhere.

 

[Conal]

We were on a C&CC site in West Runton in 2017 and a couple parked near us in a tag axle AT Comanche told us that, when they arrived, they were told that they would not have been allowed in if they had said they had a tag. They were given a hard standing pitch and the wheels just about fitted. We were given a grass pitch for our Delaware.
I couldn’t understand the problem as the site had lots of room. Reading some of the earlier posts it could have been due to their length.
By the way, it’s a great site.

 

[RandallC]

We have an 8.5m tag/tandem.

Have had few comments about it's length etc. Have booked site with less length limits and rung to site to confirm ok.
Once got very iffy reception from cannock cc&c. Ok we booked as an 8.0m and Despite ringing the site prior to arival to confirm we'd fit, got a shirty welcome as we had lied on our booking. Could have fitted half a dozen on the site. Also spotted another tag on the site supossedly on a standard pitch.

Assume I'd said or done something wrong on arrival????????????

Maybe it was having lunch in the late arival area cuz we were early.

Should have added, great to drive and manuver, but would appreciate any advice etc to get more than 22mpg

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[bigtwin]

I believe that some campsites do not allow tag axles because they tear the grass when turning.

That may be the reason but, in France, there is a suggestion that it is one way of preventing Gypsies from using campsites (on the basis that Gypsies invariably have large tag axle caravans).

I've heard that before, but never come across it in practice.

....... never been refused from a site, .......

Never been refused anywhere yet.

Well, in France we’ve been refused entry with our tag on three occasions so it does happen.

............ Reading some of the earlier posts it could have been due to their length.

Possibly; but why would they state that no tags were allowed if, in reality, it was length that they were concerned about?

Ian

 

[pappajohn]

You won't be popular doing full lock manoeuvres on grass pitches.
At least one axle will go as far sideways as forwards in a full lock turn.

 

[Conal]

Ian (Bigtwin). I agree. As far as I could see their wheel base wasn’t much longer than our’s and they definitely fitted on the hard standing, so I don’t know why their length would have been a problem. Also, as they were on a hard standing pitch, they weren’t going to rip up the grass.

 

[Jaws]

Coming up to five years with a tag now.. Love it.. Never been refused anywhere

 

[Wh05apk]

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

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[charliesgrandad]

We were on a C&CC site in West Runton in 2017 and a couple parked near us in a tag axle AT Comanche told us that, when they arrived, they were told that they would not have been allowed in if they had said they had a tag. They were given a hard standing pitch and the wheels just about fitted. We were given a grass pitch for our Delaware.
I couldn’t understand the problem as the site had lots of room. Reading some of the earlier posts it could have been due to their length.
By the way, it’s a great site.[/QUOTE).





I have been a member of both major clubs for over 30 years and how the C&CC can call themselves "The Friendly Club " escapes me , if there is something to be a right miserable sod about they will find it.
I only use the C&CC sites a few times a year just to be close to a particular place , but I use the CS 's quite a lot otherwise I would leave

 

[Mikey RV]

Have had ours nearly five years now and love it. Good payload, sits well on the road, plenty of inside space for comfort, plenty of storage with a huge garage. Driving down through France on the motorway at 60 mph we were gettin 27.4 mpg. We have fitted on smaller pitches as long as there is a grass overhang. Never been refused a site. We have always payed class two on the tolls.
Ok there long so you have to think more in small spaces and watch your tail swing. Avoid wet grass on a slope, front wheel drive and five ton to pull out on wet grass ain’t going to work. They take a day to clean being bigger.
If you want space and good storage go for it. Happy travels.

 

[teddybear]

As mickeyRV had one for 9years, with very few problems because of size.Was told many times that the tag axle ban was for caravans as we were allowed on the sites with no adverse comments

 

[Steve and Denise]

We have had 4 tags over the years all 3.0 around 23-24 mpg the rear swing is no more than any other with the same overhang.

Just use a bit of common sense where you park after all RVs are much longer and they seem to manage.

Never had a problem in the UK but I can not speak about Europe as we have not been there in our van.

Our van is 9mtrs

 

[Blue Knight]

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

We're in the process of changing our 7.5m coachbuilt to a 6.36m PVC as we think it will be better for us in terms of touring the out of the way places in the Highlands & Islands.

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.

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[teddybear]

Blue knight. Furthest we went in Scotland was Applecross 8.4mM/H (tag) with car on trailer.

 

[Northernraider]

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.

 

[Blue Knight]

Blue knight. Furthest we went in Scotland was Applecross 8.4mM/H (tag) with car on trailer.

I've seen the YouTube video where the Autotrail Tag gets stuck on the tight bend and the tractor then has to struggle to pull it across and up the road.

I bet the local folk see some right sights.

 

[Badknee]

Well, in France we’ve been refused entry with our tag on three occasions so it does happen.



Ian

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

 

[stewartwebr]

Looks like you have answered most of your questions, I am on my second, Pros, Payload, interion space, stability on the road, good in snow.
Cons, well you do have to be aware of the smaller roads on your travels, but I have not been caught out yet, some campsites can be a challenge, so pays to have a look first, but once you get used to the extra length manoeuvrability is ok. Fuel consumption, on the 3.0 litre Ducato average 24, on a long run 26. ( I had it remapped to 196bhp) The 2.3 180 h p we have now does about the same.

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.

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