Tag Axle ???

[Charley]

I have a new 01 being deliverd Monday to replace the 97 if the dealer can find it. Got lost in transit but they think they have it spotted. I'm looking forward to all the normal modifications plus a few that might be out of the ordinary. One thing I'm looking into is a custom bed for towing my fifth wheel and a tag axle. I've seen them on 1 tons but have never been able to contact owner to see where he got it. If anyone out there has any ideas I'd sure like to hear them. If there is one on the market I'd buy it but am plenty willing to make it if I had some attachment ideas.

Charley

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Charles F. Juckes

 

[DennyDay]

Check with Bock Welding in Elkhart Indiana. They make a tag axle for P32 motor home chassis that might work. It will have electric brakes on it.

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Denny
'99 2500 4X4 White short Q cab to much added to put here
On Order- Mom's Ram 2001 Qcab CTD with auto trans and all the bells and whistles

 

[C Schomer]

Check out alum-line.com for beds. Also call around to utility box mfgrs. Why do you want a tag axle on a P/U? You have to be extra cautious on slick or mud roads - they get you stuck fast! Craig

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97 3/4Ton, 2WD, 5SP, #11 Plate, AFC kit, 14 Housing, AF942M Air filter, Straight Thru Cat, 4"From Turbo, Airlift, Shortened Frame, Custom Bed, 24CKFS Sunnybrook, HEY FORDBOY POWERSTROKE THIS!

 

[Charley]

#ad


Thanks to you both. Why would I want a tag axle, good question but I'm not sure I can give a good answer. Because. I don't want to drive a dually every day. I only pull around 2/3% of the time. I was thinking to build a custom bed such that the tag axle would connect behind it with it's own fenders. I use a goose neck ball instead of fifth wheel and would mount the ball between the axles to extend wheelbase and move trailer back. Figure on the ATV going crosswise in front of that.

Charley

[This message has been edited by Charley (edited 04-22-2001). ]

 

[C Schomer]

I've driven several straight trucks with tags made out of front straight axles. The fancy factory tags can be raised when not loaded so they don't rob traction from the driver axle. Usually tags work better in front of the driver - for the traction issue. Your idea sounds good! A miniature version of the hydraulic tags on Redimix trucks would be good for what you want to do. When I built my bed, I got all the measurements off the truck first - frame width and lenght, wheel, rear window, fill pipe positions etc. I thought of ways to make a jig. I ended up making top boards with upright ends for my sawhorses and leveled and squared them on my garage floor. The two main bed members sat on the top at perfect dimensions, and I started welding! That shiny aluminum is pretty and nobody tailgates at night but it has to be kept real clean so it doesn't dull. I'm checking into SS the next time. John Delorian will love me!! Just some ideas! Craig

 

[Charley]

Craig,

I appreciate your ideas. They give me some more of my own. As I said earlier. Maybe I want to do this just because I can and I can see the heads turning as I go down the Interstate.

Your truck bed sound nice. Can you send a picture?

Charley

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Charles F. Juckes

 

[E7mack96]

Check out Watson/Chalin drop axles. They are steerable and you can adjust the pressure on the air bags. A complete assy weighs approx 1200 lbs.

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2001 3500 QC 4X4 Cummins H. O. & 6 Speed, Powermax 2 and needing more power!!!!

 

[C Schomer]

Charley, I think I have a pic on a disc somewhere - I just have to find it! I cut off the end of the frame(about 5. 5") behind the back spring mounts and moved the reciever hitch forward 5". The sides are 1" lower than stock bed sides and I tapered the sides down 4", starting from above the axle to the rear corners(no more hitting the corners with the 5th wh trailer)! I also tapered the back corners of the deck 5" forward. I have plenty of room to open the front storage doors of the trailer. The sides come down to about 4" above the bottom of the cab - enough to hide the frame, springs etc(that's the way the metal worked out). I incorporated a simple headache rack into the framework. It follows the contour of the cab and the top bar is just above the third stop light. It looks a lot like a wrecker bed, only with higher sides! It was worth 18 weeks of night work to see the heads turn and have people wait for me to come out of store to ask about it! One guy even got pi$$ed and stomped off because he wouldn't believe that I built it! He kept asking, "where'd you get it" and I kept saying "out of my garage"! Craig

[This message has been edited by C Schomer (edited 04-23-2001). ]

 

[Charley]

E7mack96, Craig:

Thanks for your ideas. They will go into the plans. This is exactly why I joined this site, for all the free, GOOD, advise. You are much appreciated.

Charley #ad


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Charles F. Juckes