Tag axle

[Reserector [Veteran Member]]

Got the wheels for my tag axle project. Still saving up for the axle itself.
It will be a quick-release modular setup that I will install to improve the ride, stability and braking when hauling the camper.
As you can see, my rear axle is very close to the front of the cargo box. While the truck can handle the load, all the weight of the camper is directly over the axle. The tag axle will effectively move the rear axle "center" back a foot and a half. It will stop "porpoising", body roll, and smooth out bridge joints. It will help it track straighter on windy days, and the added brakes can only help.
I'm ordering the axle with electric brakes. I will buy one of the brake controllers that come with a Silverado adapter harness and plug it right into my harness. That's right. My donor truck had the towing package, so everything is already there. Booyah!



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[zachcrosby [Veteran Member]]

I had to google what a tag axle even was. Seems pretty innovative. Will the axle be removable for off-roading when needed?


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[Reserector [Veteran Member]]

Yes! It will attach at three or four points with clevis pins, plus an electrical connector for the brakes.
A tag axle is an idler axle that mounts behind the drive axle/s. A pusher axle is an idler axle that mounts ahead of the drive axle/s.

You see, with all of the camper weight centered over the rear axle, it rocks fore and aft on rough roads. I call that "porpoising" because it is similar to a porpoise breaching the water's surface again and again. The front end sort of floats.

The rear axle bears all the weight instead of putting some of it on the front. With no way to shift the weight an further forward, I have to move the axle rearward to compensate. But better yet, an additional axle will have the effect of shifting the axle back while taking about half of the camper's weight off of the drive axle.
It will also help the heavy end of the truck to "step over" bumps because typically only one axle at a time will hit the bump while the other is still on a level surface. You only feel half of the bump twice rather than one big hit, if that makes sense.

When I turn corners, it leans more than I care for because it is narrow and tall. An additional axle will act very similarly to an anti-roll bar.

Last but not least, with the addition of brakes on the tag axle, I can shorten my stopping distance when teh camper is on. It stops surprisingly well, but it takes longer to stop with all that weight on it. I may not hook them up right away, but I will order the axle with brakes.

Here's one example:

[Reserector [Veteran Member]]

I ordered the axle on Friday 11/23/18. Hoping it will ship out today, and arrive later this week

[Reserector [Veteran Member]]

The axle kit arrived today, and I assembled it this evening.

Now to build the sub-structure.

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[81 CJ5]

This is neat. Never seen something like that before


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[Reserector [Veteran Member]]

Looks like my mud flaps have to go.

[mynewtoy82 [Veteran Member]]

[Reserector [Veteran Member]]

Picked up some 3" channel, but couldn't get started until this afternoon.
It rained all day Saturday, so I stayed inside and did website maintenance.

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[Reserector [Veteran Member]]

I'm sort of designing as I go. My ideas were flowing rather nicely until my brain suddenly disengaged.
I just hit a point where I had to stop, clean up, go inside and thaw out.

It needs to be simple to install, which makes the design a bit complex. It's going to be challenging.

Having gotten this far has helped me plan the next few steps. I need to go foraging at Lowe's and Tractor Supply next.



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