Escape alternatives

[cpaharley2008]

Any metal cargo trailer can leak at seams and rivets. Stick with fiberglass and not worry, higher price, less worry.

[rubicon327]

Originally Posted by JeffreyG

Here is an interesting question, why is it that the cargo and RV trailer industry is largely dominated by low quality manufacturers?...

...It seems like for about 90% of the customers out there, the #1 priority in any trailer is price, and the manufacturers are mostly responding to that.

I think you answered your own question. When consumers demand better the market will respond.

[padlin]

Unlike cars where folks went to better built foreign manufacturers, RV buyers don't have a better built option, other then small fiberglass units. Most do not want small so there is no option.

[JeffreyG]

Originally Posted by Sean Murry

Escape 19 has the dual axles which could be a plus or minus depending on your opinion. I liked the idea of dual axles in case you ever had one tire blow, you still have 3 left.

This is a little off topic, but I had a tire blow on a 20' RV trailer. The dual axle was so stable that I didn't know the tire was gone until somebody pulled up next to me an waved. It really was that subtle.


So the good thing about a dual axle is that it remains quite stable during a blowout. The bad thing about a dual axle is you might pull a blown tire for a couple miles, which can really do a lot of damage.

[TahoeJoe]

Originally Posted by JeffreyG

This is a little off topic, but I had a tire blow on a 20' RV trailer. The dual axle was so stable that I didn't know the tire was gone until somebody pulled up next to me an waved. It really was that subtle.


So the good thing about a dual axle is that it remains quite stable during a blowout. The bad thing about a dual axle is you might pull a blown tire for a couple miles, which can really do a lot of damage.

I've had 3 of those over the years, and every time I was so glad I had dual axles...

[padlin]

When I had one at 65 mph I could feel a bit of a vibration. Had no damage other then the wheel, tire, and my wallet.

[Oldtimer]

Originally Posted by JeffreyG

This is a little off topic, but I had a tire blow on a 20' RV trailer. The dual axle was so stable that I didn't know the tire was gone until somebody pulled up next to me an waved. It really was that subtle.


So the good thing about a dual axle is that it remains quite stable during a blowout. The bad thing about a dual axle is you might pull a blown tire for a couple miles, which can really do a lot of damage.

That’s why I use a TPS on our 21 so I know if /when there’s an issue with the trailer tires.

David

[tractors1]

Originally Posted by Oldtimer

That’s why I use a TPS on our 21 so I know if /when there’s an issue with the trailer tires.

David

Yup - had a TPMS on every rig the last 15 years or so and never had a blowout or had to change a tire on a muddy shoulder in the rain. Lots of warning to get to a safe spot to inspect/change - better yet, to find a tire fixit place!

[cpaharley2008]

Does one have to install the sensors inside the tire or just on the tire stem? I have been thinking about this option but can not decide.

[EdColorado]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

Does one have to install the sensors inside the tire or just on the tire stem? I have been thinking about this option but can not decide.

I have used this set on a Casita and an E-21.
You can pay more if you like, but these do the job.
Metal valve stems recommended but not critical. I just used the stems that came on the Escape tires.
Plus the solar charge feature means one less cord dangling across the dash.
The sensors use the inexpensive CR 1632 batteries. I changed the batteries each year when I changed the different alarm batteries. Easier to do at home on the workbench.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07S7CP3PB...v_ov_lig_dp_it

[tractors1]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

Does one have to install the sensors inside the tire or just on the tire stem? I have been thinking about this option but can not decide.

I went with the TST507 system with stem sensors and user-replaceable batteries. Mine get changed every couple years (the monitor will alert to low batteries) and if you loosen the stem sensors while in storage they will stop transmitting, so they last longer. I just put each into it's own ziploc baggie (labeled DF,DR,PF,PR) and toss them in the sink while storing the rig over the winter months. Did not want to have to unmount the tires just to change the battery inside.


Interesting that car makers have moved away from the internal sensors. Now the computer compares the rotation speed of each tire (sampled from the anti-lock brake sensors) and alert when one of the tires rotates faster than the others due to a decreasing diameter as it loses air. That's why the current systems don't alert you to which tire is the problem!

[TahoeJoe]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

Does one have to install the sensors inside the tire or just on the tire stem? I have been thinking about this option but can not decide.

I've used the EezTire system, which is just some sensors that are screwed onto the stem. Easy peasy...

[thunderworks]

Originally Posted by EdColorado

I have used this set on a Casita and an E-21.
You can pay more if you like, but these do the job.
Metal valve stems recommended but not critical. I just used the stems that came on the Escape tires.
Plus the solar charge feature means one less cord dangling across the dash.
The sensors use the inexpensive CR 1632 batteries. I changed the batteries each year when I changed the different alarm batteries. Easier to do at home on the workbench.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07S7CP3PB...v_ov_lig_dp_it

I looked at the link and the product info seemed to indicate that this was not a product for a trailer (presumably due to limited data transmission range).

[EdColorado]

Originally Posted by thunderworks

I looked at the link and the product info seemed to indicate that this was not a product for a trailer (presumably due to limited data transmission range).

Worked on a 21’ Escape.
Read some of the reviews from trailer users then decide what’s best for you.

On the single axel Casita, because I had two extra sensors I put one on the spare tire not really thinking it would work because it was facing away from the monitor plus covered with the tire cover. Much to my surprise, it did work. Of course the Casita was quite small.

[Steveanson]

We have owned poorly built national brand bumper pulls, as well as a Casita that we really enjoyed. After three years, we decided we wanted a bit more room that Casita offered, and sold it in one day, actually making a small profit on it. A small 5th wheel that could be towed by a half ton truck was on our wish list, but were discouraged after touring a Scamp 5er.



On a visit to a local state park, we had a chance encounter with an Escape 5.0 and a short bed 1500 chevy PU. It was love at first sight.

Our 5.0TA will be completed Feb 9th, 2021, and we can't wait to be, as Willie says, On the Road Again...Pat&Matt

[Vermilye]

I use the Tire Minder system on my 21. They include a "booster" that runs on 12V that I installed in the front overhead cabinet above the bed. No problems with signal strength.

I do recommend metal valve stems. When I installed the pressure sensors with the original Escape provided stems, I noticed black "skid" marks on the tire rim. Hard to believe that the stem could flex enough for the side of the sensor to hit, but it did on all 4 tires. I now have metal stems...

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by tractors1

Interesting that car makers have moved away from the internal sensors. Now the computer compares the rotation speed of each tire (sampled from the anti-lock brake sensors) and alert when one of the tires rotates faster than the others due to a decreasing diameter as it loses air. That's why the current systems don't alert you to which tire is the problem!

Speed-based tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) have been around for many years - both of the cars I have with TPMS have this system (from 2004 and 2012). These systems can't report actual pressure, but they could alert to which tire is lower (it is the one turning fastest), but they don't... because they are the least expensive alternative. Actual pressure sensors are more common in "premium" vehicles, and those with run-flat tires (which are more likely to be operated with inadequate pressure).

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

Does one have to install the sensors inside the tire or just on the tire stem? I have been thinking about this option but can not decide.

Some early systems strapped the pressure sensor and transmitter around the inside of the wheel, but I don't know if anyone uses that design any more.

The normal TPMS mounting design now is to build the sensor and transmitter into a valve stem; the system is inside the wheel, held in place by the stem. The tire must be removed to install it, but the batteries last for years so they are normally just serviced at tire replacement time.

Many aftermarket systems just screw the sensor and transmitter onto the valve stem in place of a cap. There are problems with this (stem damage, leaking, imbalance) but it is apparently commonly used on trailers.

[Luckyf4]

Originally Posted by EdColorado

All the RV’s we have been looking at recently are made in Canada!

Escape, Bigfoot and Leisure Travel Van. And now Northern Lite.

Canada rocks when it comes to building quality RV’s.

Armadillos from BC and trilliums built near Calgary.

[canakiwi]

These tmps that just have a screw on cap on the stem. Don't you have to re-balance the wheels after this, or are they that light that the are the same as the cap they replace??