CalRoadster

Back to the saga of the tag axle sight-gauges leaking oil. After replacing both inner and outer left and right axle seals and adjusting the weight to specs as follows: ADJUST RIDE HEIGHT TO SPECS TO ACHIEVE PROPER WEIGHTS LEFT RIGHT TOTAL AXLE % FRONT 6400 6600 13000 94.9 % REAR 6800 6700 13500 67.5 % TAG 4000 4350 8350 83.5 % TOTAL 17200 17650 34850 79.7 % We proceeded to travel about 1,000 miles returning to base in April, 2011. Preparing for trip on May 09 and found left rear tag oil sight-gauge distorted, bulging, strings of melted plastic material protruding from space between the outer hub plate that contains the plastic-windowed sight gauge and the axle hub itself. Right side oil gauge appeared unaffected. Not enough time to repair again so convinced mechanics at storage barn to adjust weight on tag to attempt to reduce heat on the bearings. Adjusted air pressure to tag axle to 80# and traveled 2,500 miles checking sight-guage and refilling as needed. The entire wheel and tire now greasy and filthy. June 03 returned to Redlands Truck for another round of "fix the tag leak" game. Techs suspect when tag is lifted when for a sharp trun , it may be returned to it's "loaded" position with more weight than is applied when weighed in a static position. Pure speculation. Will again speak with Spartan in Michigan with these facts and request support. We are curious about other owner's experience and if anyone out there has found a solution to this recurring problem. Otherwise the coach is trouble-free except for the dozens of small squeaks, rattles and chatters. Thank you, CalRoadster

Thanks Dave. Will consult with GMC dealer and check the owner's manual as well. CalRoadster

We plan on selling our 2006 GMC Envoy 4WD which tows beautifully with no modifications and buying a used 2009 or 2010 GMC Acadia to flat tow behind our ESSEX. Any experience with towing an Acadia? Thanks and Happy New Year to all. George and Marianne gfpamper@verizon.net

The tale of the Tag. Recently visited manufacturer factory for updates on 43' Newmar Essex. During weight and balance check they found tag was carrying no weight and adjusted air bags to provide about 3,500 lbs on each tag wheel or total 7,000 on tag. In Missouri left tag melted the oil cap and lost most lubricant. Replaced oil cap, gasket and oil. Suspicious about excessive weight as this had never occurred in 60,000 miles. Gallup New Mexico melted left tag oil cap again. Called Spartan (K2 chassis). They said tags are really meant to run in the opposite direction but they build them this way so they look "good". apparently toe-in and caster is set up to run opposite direction so the drag causes the bearings to overheat and melt the oil caps. Spartan recommends loosening the bearings. Replaced oil cap, oil and gasket. Stopped in Hesperia, California to find left oil cap melted and now right oil cap leaking. Mobile mechanic replaced left oil cap, oil and gasket, checked outer bearing (OK) and adjusted bearing load by "feel". Redlands, California at Redlands Heavy Truck and RV. Redlands checked weight. Way over 10,000 on tag, 15,000 weight on main. Removed tag wheels, checked all bearings (OK), replaced all seals, oil caps, oil and gaskets. Reset tag weight to 7,000. Found air dryer problem causing inconsistent air pressures. Spoke with Essex owner in Pennsylvania who had similar tag weight problems and was stopped by Highway Patrol after going over scale on the highway that caught him overweight on the main. He found tag is adjustable with guage under front hood opening and added weight to tag, then had oil cap problems and overheating bearings. I suspect Spartan knew of this problem and has been underweighting the tag to reduce overheating the bearings. The correct fix is probably adjusting toe-in and caster to reduce drag and sideslip on the bearings. Correct air pressure to bags. Correct bearing adjustment to allow some play and not overheat. This coach has always had a porposing problem in the ride and with the tag correctly loaded it tends to keep the front axle from floating as it now has enough weight to hold it firmly against the pavement. All we hear is praise for the Spartan K2 ride but for us it has been a roller coaster. Newmar needs to get with Spartan and get this fixed for all owners. Calroadster