Tag lift for MCI 8

[tekebird]

I don't think anyone is suggesting keeping a tag dumped while driving.....as with most things in snow....once your moving you are fine.......is is just the starting that causes problems ....in snow......

your MC-8 should have had a dump switch on the right side panel from new.....could very well have been disconnected or removed.

Never drive your bus somewhere someone points you......unless it is hardtop.

grass, dirt....always walk the site......

I woul also never park my bus on any snow covered surface I did not KNOW to me hard underneith

[skipn]

 
   Tekebird,
  Good advice thanks.

    One of the agreements I made with my wife was to make operation of the bus as simple and safe as possible.
    Safe seems to be an easier task than simplifying.
   Teaching her what all the levers, valves etc are for; how and when to use them would be a real negative adventure.
   She is a fast learner but the bus is not her passion.

  Skip

[tekebird]

Don't let her drive in the snow and tell her to never drive off the road.

[Stan]

quote "I don't think anyone is suggesting keeping a tag dumped while driving.....as with most things in snow....once your moving you are fine.......is is just the starting that causes problems ....in snow......" unquote

From someone who has never spun out on a snow covered hill. Makes you wonder what they have chain laws for.

With the tag down, you reduce the chance of sliding sideways if your drivers spin. With the tag up, you reduce the chance of your drivers spinning.

I have been caught on an interstate, in mountains, when it started to snow so heavily that you had to stay close to the vehicle in front of you to see his tail lights. No opportuninity to change you mind or get off the road, you just stay in single file and hope the lead vehicle can see where the shoulders are. I had no problem driving for forty miles (20 MPH) with the tag raised and would not have considered driving with it down. The only reason they put a tag on was to meet highway axle weight limits.

[JackConrad]

A friend purchased an MC-8 in Ohio and drove it to Florida. The previous owner had installed integral steering. When he got to Florida, he asked me to drive his bus to see what I thought of the integral steering. After a short drive, I told him I was not impressed, it did not seem to be any better or worse than my hydraulkic assist. He drove his bus home and called me. Seems when he got home, as he was walking past the rear wheels, he placed his hand on the tag wheel and noticed it was cold. He checked the tag axle valves in the enginge compartment. YEP!, he had driven from Ohio to Florida with the tags unloaded. He turned the valves and went for another drive. He noticed a big improvement.  Jack
NOTE: This was at 65-70 MPH on dry roads YMMV

[kyle4501]

If you unload the tags, you need to deal with the brakes too, otherwise you will lockup the tag tires every time you touch the brakes.

If you unload the tag, you will increase weight on the drivers but will reduce weight on the front. On a 4501 the front goes real light if the tags are completely unloaded. But the 4501 has a shorter distance between front axle & drive than most & the tag carries the same weight as the drive axle.

Another thing to ponder, the existing tag axle air bag mounts were designed to push, not pull. So if you change to a lifting tag, you will need to address this too & make sure the mounting is sufficient for the intended use.

Getting all this input will help to make the best choice for your needs.