There is nothing quite as terrifying as cruising down the highway and watching a massive piece of heavy metal debris bounce out from the rig in front of you. Now, a popular recreational trailer manufacturer is issuing an urgent safety recall because their campers might be dropping entire spare tire assemblies right into moving traffic. Escape Trailer Industries Ltd. has officially recalled hundreds of its 2025 models due to a severe structural welding failure.
The Defect: Failed Welds and Heavy Metal
According to official defect reports filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the spare tire carrier mounted to the exterior of the trailer is the issue. The automaker discovered that carriers supplied by a third-party distributor, Level Fab, suffered from an “improper weld point” during manufacturing.
Due to surface impurities known as “mill scale” and poor penetration by the welder, the welds holding the carrier together can completely fail at the base plate. If those faulty welds give out while the trailer is bouncing down the road at highway speeds, the heavy spare tire carrier can detach entirely. This transforms the tire into a massive, unpredictable road hazard that drastically increases the risk of a crash, injury, or death for the drivers behind it.
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Which Escape Trailers Are Affected?
The good news is that the size of this safety recall is relatively small, impacting an estimated 324 total units. However, the recall spans the brand’s entire core lineup for the current model year. The affected population includes the 2025 Escape 17, Escape 19, Escape 21, and Escape 5.0 recreational trailers manufactured between January 1, 2025, and December 5, 2025.
How to Fix: DIY or Professional Reimbursement
To fix the defect, Escape Trailer will provide owners with a brand-new, properly welded spare tire carrier completely free of charge. Because swapping the bracket is a highly straightforward process, the company is shipping the new carriers, along with fresh mounting bolts, washers, and nyloc nuts, directly to owners so they can complete the installation at home using basic hand tools.
However, if you are not comfortable turning a wrench yourself, the manufacturer has confirmed that owners can take their trailer to any certified RV technician for the swap, and Escape Trailer will fully reimburse you for approximately one hour of labor once you submit a paid invoice.
The company officially began notifying affected owners via registered mail and email on March 9, 2026. If you own a 2025 Escape trailer, you can proactively contact their customer service line at 1-604-703-1650 or check your trailer’s VIN on the NHTSA recall portal under Campaign Number 26V132.
