Escape 13 Tires & Wheels - Escape Trailer Owners Community
Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×

Go Back   Escape Trailer Owners Community > Escape Tech > Problem Solving | Owners helping each other
Click Here to Login
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 05-17-2021, 04:41 PM   #1
Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Terrace, British Columbia
Trailer: 2012 Escape 13 (Our Hobbit House)
Posts: 41
Cool Escape 13 Tires & Wheels

Purchased my Trailer in 2012. The last Escape 13 to be built.
My original tires need to be changed. Slight cracking in the sidewalls.
OEM Goodyear Marathons are no long being made, but Goodyear Endurance comes with great reviews.
Here is my problem, they don't make the Endurance in 13" size.
Can I upgrade my wheels to 14" ?
Anyone out there done this?

The 175/80R13 Goodyear Marathon Radial has a diameter of 24", a width of 7", mounts on a 13" rim. 6.9 inch section width

Goodyear Endurance.
ST205/75R14 105/101N D Max Load = 2,040 lbs Trailer Use. 6.5 inch rim 26.1” diameter 1.05 inch or 1 1/16 inch radius difference 8.1 inch section width

ST215/75R14 108/103N D Max Load = 2,200 lbs Trailer Use. 7 inch rim 26.7” diameter 1.35 inch or 1 3/8 inch radius difference 8.46 inch section width

Hope there's someone out there that has done this, and can help.
Greg.
comsult is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-17-2021, 04:54 PM   #2
Senior Member
 
Iowa Dave's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Benton County, Iowa
Trailer: 2013 Escape 21 Classic Number 6, pulled by 2018 Toyota Highlander
Posts: 8,234
Perhaps you could find someone with an older 19 or 17 that would let you try their spare on your
Trailer to see if you’re happy with the wheel well clearance. Out 2010 19 had 14 inch wheels. Don’t know when they they went to 15’s. The 21s had 15s from the get go.
Iowa Dave
__________________
Ain’t no trouble jacking a double Burma Shave
Dave
Iowa Dave is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-17-2021, 04:58 PM   #3
Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Terrace, British Columbia
Trailer: 2012 Escape 13 (Our Hobbit House)
Posts: 41
That's a great idea Dave.
I think there is someone in my Town that has a 17, just got to check with them if they have 14's.
Greg.
comsult is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-17-2021, 05:20 PM   #4
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Edmonton, Alberta
Trailer: 1979 Boler B1700
Posts: 14,935
I assume that the 13' had the same Torflex #10 axle as the other models, so the same wheels would fit as those other models (4-on-4.5" bolt pattern, etc). It also likely has the same wheel well size and shape as the 17' and 15' (because they were all developed from the same original mould), so the common 14" and 15" tires would fit. The swap should be straightforward.
Brian B-P is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-17-2021, 05:29 PM   #5
Senior Member
 
gbaglo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: North Vancouver, British Columbia
Trailer: 2009 Escape 17B 2020 Toyota Highlander XLE
Posts: 17,136
I got the optional 15" wheels on my 2008 17' build. Wondering if the lift kit ( which I have ) would help with clearance?
__________________
What happens to the hole when the cheese is gone?
- Bertolt Brecht
gbaglo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-17-2021, 06:05 PM   #6
Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Terrace, British Columbia
Trailer: 2012 Escape 13 (Our Hobbit House)
Posts: 41
So I'm going to go step by step.
1st borrow a 14" wheel & tire and measure the clearance to see If I have to modify the axle to get it to fit. Hopefully not.
If I have adjust the axle or add a lift kit, then I would re-assess and go from there.
I'll add to this post as I proceed.

Greg.
comsult is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-17-2021, 07:03 PM   #7
Senior Member
 
rubicon327's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Burlington Twp., New Jersey
Trailer: 2010 Escape 19
Posts: 7,123
Quote:
Originally Posted by Brian B-P View Post
I assume that the 13' had the same Torflex #10 axle as the other models, so the same wheels would fit as those other models (4-on-4.5" bolt pattern, etc).
Brian: Believe you meant 5-on-4.5” bolt pattern.
__________________
Mods to Rubicon: https://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f...tml#post249508
“One way to get the most out of life is to look upon it as an adventure.”― W.F.
rubicon327 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-17-2021, 11:45 PM   #8
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Edmonton, Alberta
Trailer: 1979 Boler B1700
Posts: 14,935
Quote:
Originally Posted by rubicon327 View Post
Brian: Believe you meant 5-on-4.5” bolt pattern.
Aaaak! Yes, I meant 5-on-4.5”
Thanks for catching my typo, Dave.
Brian B-P is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-18-2021, 10:42 AM   #9
Senior Member
 
rubicon327's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Burlington Twp., New Jersey
Trailer: 2010 Escape 19
Posts: 7,123
Greg: For what its worth here is a 13' that according to the for sale ad had 14" wheels:
https://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f...ale-10434.html

Also here is a 13 from the Classified archive with the lift kit:
https://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f...-bc-11012.html

My bet is that you won't have a problem. When I inquired with Escape about going from 14" to 15" wheels on the 19 they said no problem. Keep in mind that the Dexter application manual recommends 3" for fender clearance. Remember the wheels travel in a slight arc so you shouldn't need 3" all around the tire.
__________________
Mods to Rubicon: https://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f...tml#post249508
“One way to get the most out of life is to look upon it as an adventure.”― W.F.
rubicon327 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-18-2021, 11:22 AM   #10
Senior Member
 
Dave Walter's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Edmonton, Alberta
Trailer: 2013 19' & 2013 15B
Posts: 2,634
This may not be helpful at all but my 2013 15B has ST205-75R15 tires whereas my 2013 19' has ST205-75-R14 tires. Wheel well clearance on both is fine.
__________________
2013 19' \ 2013 15B, 2020 Toyota 4Runner TRD Offroad

"It is better to remain silent at the risk of being thought a fool, than to talk and remove all doubt of it." - 1907, Maurice Switzer
Dave Walter is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-19-2021, 09:26 PM   #11
Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2020
Location: Ontario, Oregon
Trailer: 2011 Escape 17B
Posts: 65
I'm trying to figure out if I can to st 225/75R15s on my '11 17B. The info on needing 3" of clearance is good to have.
77FJ40 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-08-2021, 06:48 PM   #12
Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Terrace, British Columbia
Trailer: 2012 Escape 13 (Our Hobbit House)
Posts: 41
14" wheel & tire fitted

So I got a hold of a 14" wheel and tire and fitted it to my trailer. Trailer Tire ST205 R75 14 There's 2" of clearance between the top of the tire and the wheel well. Trailer is loaded as it normally is. My Question now, is this enough clearance, or will the tire scuff while going over bumps etc. on my travels. How much travel is there in the suspension of the Escape 13.
comsult is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-08-2021, 08:53 PM   #13
Senior Member
 
Bill and Earline's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Signal Mountain (Chattanooga), Tennessee
Trailer: Escape 21 November 2014; 2022 GMC 1500 3.0L
Posts: 681
I'd just drive the trailer around for an hour with the 14" on there and see what happens. I can't imagine it would make much difference to have one 13 and one 14 for an experiment.
Bill and Earline is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-08-2021, 09:05 PM   #14
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Edmonton, Alberta
Trailer: 1979 Boler B1700
Posts: 14,935
Quote:
Originally Posted by comsult View Post
... There's 2" of clearance between the top of the tire and the wheel well. Trailer is loaded as it normally is. My Question now, is this enough clearance, or will the tire scuff while going over bumps etc. on my travels. How much travel is there in the suspension of the Escape 13.
Dexter Axle (the manufacturer of the Escape's suspension) recommends three inches of clearance over the tire at full load - obviously you don't have that. On the other hand, the vertical movement depends on the "start angle" of the arm, but in any version of the Torflex #10 is not supposed to be able to exceed 3.33" from no load to "shock load" (bottomed out over a severe bump). You could jack up the trailer so the tire isn't touching the ground, and make sure there is at least three and a half inches of clearance over the tire.
Brian B-P is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-09-2021, 08:31 PM   #15
Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Terrace, British Columbia
Trailer: 2012 Escape 13 (Our Hobbit House)
Posts: 41
Thanks for that info Brian.
So my solution is to raise the trailer by 1 inch.
I've checked measurements, and I can put a 1 inch spacer between the Axle and the Frame.
Drill 2 new holes on each side. (Very careful and precise holes) mount the axle in the new holes, torque nuts and bolts to Dexter specs.
That should give me 3 inches of clearance under Load.
I'll keep this thread updated on my progress, with pics in the following posts.
All the purchasable axle raising kits are at the minimum 2 5/8 inches in height. That's too much for my purposes.
The spacers so far has cost me $25 CDN - square 1 inch tubing, the grade 5 bolts nuts and washers was $12.
So now it's down to the actual work.
We are in the middle of a heat wave out here in Western Canada, so the work will have to wait until it cools down a little.
comsult is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-14-2021, 11:11 AM   #16
Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Terrace, British Columbia
Trailer: 2012 Escape 13 (Our Hobbit House)
Posts: 41
Prior to disassembly

Here are some photos of the trailer with 13 inch and 14 inch wheels. Wheels removed and some pics of where the spacer will go. Getting things set up just prior to disassembly.Click image for larger version

Name:	With 13 inch wheel Clearance Pic.jpg
Views:	11
Size:	306.7 KB
ID:	56937

Click image for larger version

Name:	With 13 inch wheels close up.jpg
Views:	9
Size:	307.5 KB
ID:	56938

Click image for larger version

Name:	With 13 inch wheels.jpg
Views:	9
Size:	233.9 KB
ID:	56939

Click image for larger version

Name:	With 14 inch wheels.jpg
Views:	9
Size:	237.6 KB
ID:	56940

Click image for larger version

Name:	Both sizes close up.jpg
Views:	10
Size:	378.1 KB
ID:	56941

Click image for larger version

Name:	Showing both sizes.jpg
Views:	8
Size:	253.2 KB
ID:	56942

Click image for larger version

Name:	Spacer location 1.jpg
Views:	11
Size:	146.2 KB
ID:	56943

Click image for larger version

Name:	Spacer location 2.jpg
Views:	13
Size:	206.8 KB
ID:	56944
comsult is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-14-2021, 11:13 AM   #17
Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Terrace, British Columbia
Trailer: 2012 Escape 13 (Our Hobbit House)
Posts: 41
Some additional pics prior to disassembly.

some additional pics that did not make into my prior post.
Attached Thumbnails
Spacer location 3.jpg   This is where spacer goes.jpg  
comsult is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-14-2021, 11:59 AM   #18
Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Terrace, British Columbia
Trailer: 2012 Escape 13 (Our Hobbit House)
Posts: 41
Test fitting the Spacer

Test Fitting the spacer, prior to drilling holes.
The spacer needs to have two threaded pieces welded to it so It can be fastened securely to the axle.
There are 2 pre-existing holes in the top of the axle mount that will be used to fasten the spacer to it.
Don't want pieces of steel falling out and flying down the highway.
Attached Thumbnails
Spacer Test fit 1.jpg   Spacer Test fit 2.jpg   Spacer Test fit 3.jpg  
comsult is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-15-2021, 10:27 AM   #19
Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Terrace, British Columbia
Trailer: 2012 Escape 13 (Our Hobbit House)
Posts: 41
Disappointing find.

So This is what I saw when I finally removed the axle from the frame.
A little disappointed in the build. Way over sized & Enlarged holes in the frame to mount the axle.
Looks like the holes were cut with a torch, rather than drilled.
I've decided that I'll use all 6 side mounting holes in the axle to mount it to the frame.
Attached Thumbnails
Disapointed 1.jpg   Disapointed 2.jpg  
comsult is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-15-2021, 10:35 AM   #20
Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Terrace, British Columbia
Trailer: 2012 Escape 13 (Our Hobbit House)
Posts: 41
Fitted & Checked.

Axle & Spacers installed and checked for fit and Alignment.
Now to disassemble, clean and paint the frame.
Will paint the Axle mounting bracket as well.
Will allow paint to dry & cure for 24hrs. then final assembly, and Torque to Dexter Specs.
Attached Thumbnails
Before cleaning and painting.jpg   Before cleaning and painting 2.jpg   Before cleaning and painting 5.jpg   Before cleaning and painting 6.jpg  
comsult is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off




» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Escape Trailer Industries or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:01 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Copyright 2023 Social Knowledge, LLC All Rights Reserved.