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When you go from a non-tag to a tag coach the tag switch has 3 positions not 2.
Forest & Cindy Olivier
1987 log cabin
2011 Roadtrek C210P
PO 1999 Foretravel 36'
1998 Newell 45' #486
1993 Newell 39' #337
Posts: 2,348
Threads: 386
Joined: Jul 2012
Forest,
There should be a warning light that lets you know that the tag is in the "on" position---up or down. I just went through my warning lights & found several that were burnt out.
Steve Bare
1999 Newell 2 slide #531
Posts: 1,479
Threads: 98
Joined: Jul 2012
Forest, my tag switch has 3 positions and the center position is for normal operation. The up and down positions either takes the air out of the tag bags or adds air to take weight off of the drive axle. I once mistakenly left it in the air out position and none of my rear airbags would fill. Skinned my coach. I do not think I have any warning lights on the switch.
2001 Newell #579
tow a Honda Odyssey
fun car: 1935 Mercedes 500K replica
Posts: 2,696
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Joined: Jul 2012
Well here's the rest of the story. I drove about 2 hours with the switch in the down position. With sunglasses I didn't notice the warning light. When I stopped I checked my tire temps and they were all ok so don't think I damaged them. Went inside ate a sandwich and walked outside. That's when I noticed the hitch was almost touching the ground. Cranked up the engine, tried to manually level the rear, nothing worked. Called MOT and talked with the service guy "check your tag switch, should be in the middle". Me: "middle? thought it was up or down? never mind".
Forest & Cindy Olivier
1987 log cabin
2011 Roadtrek C210P
PO 1999 Foretravel 36'
1998 Newell 45' #486
1993 Newell 39' #337
Posts: 1,703
Threads: 123
Joined: Aug 2012
My '93 has a 2 position switch. When the switch is in the "up" position it unloads the tag. An annoying beeper chimes the whole time that switch is on.
1993 Newell (316) 45' 8V92,towing an Imperial open trailer or RnR custom built enclosed trailer. FMCA#232958 '67 Airstream Overlander 27' '67GTO,'76TransAm,'52Chevy panel, 2000 Corvette "Lingenfelter"modified, '23 Grand Cherokee.
Posts: 1,479
Threads: 98
Joined: Jul 2012
Forest, it is best to fess up. I had exactly the same experience except it was on a holiday and I was trying to leave Mexico. Someone on duty at Newell returned my call and saved the day. However I skinned the back end of the coach before I called them.
2001 Newell #579
tow a Honda Odyssey
fun car: 1935 Mercedes 500K replica
Posts: 2,696
Threads: 228
Joined: Jul 2012
Haha! I knew I wasn't the only one!
Yeah that's a heart stopper. I tried everything I could think of never thinking the switch had 3 positions. Just glad I didn't do any damage to the coach or the tires.
Forest & Cindy Olivier
1987 log cabin
2011 Roadtrek C210P
PO 1999 Foretravel 36'
1998 Newell 45' #486
1993 Newell 39' #337
Posts: 77
Threads: 5
Joined: Aug 2012
Two weeks after I got my coach, I was taking it down to the shop to craw the underside. It had been raining, & I was having trouble getting the coach out of the spot it was in. I had remembered reading that some Newells of my vintage had a lockable rear carrier. There was a switch on the dash to activate the lock.
Considering the depth of the members of this forum, I don't think I need to go further with my story, other that to say I don't have a locker, but I do have an unmarked switch on the center dash that is no longer connected.
Gordon
1991 41.5' #266
8V92 DDEC II
Posts: 573
Threads: 29
Joined: Jul 2012
I disconnected that switch, even though it was marked, the very day I saw it. So glad I did!
Russ White
2016 Winnebago Vista LX 30T
#530 ( Sold )
1999 45' Double Slide - Factory upgrade 2004