If You Had to Choose Between a Surge Protector, Back-up Camera, or Tire Upgrade...

[Cannon07]

Guess depends which Westlakes you have, if it came with the G rated Westlakes, I would go with the EMS first. In my opinion a backup camera isnt necessary. I even park in truck spots at truck stops without it just fine, and you said you have a spotter to help you, so it's really not necessary. The EMS though, I wouldn't go without it. The tires are a judgement call, havent heard anything bad about the G rated Westlakes.

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[Walaby]

Tires if they are a notoriously bad set. You can get by with a cheapo surge protector until you can afford the EMS.

Backup camera isn't needed unless you camp alone. It's the last thing I purchased for my 5er, and only becuse wife was looking for christmas ideas.

Mike

[Ynot4me2]

EMS first but keep a close eye on tire pressure until they are replaced.

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[MJMCCAND]

Aren't the newer, lighter Reflections coming with Goodyear Endurance tires? If that's the case, definitely the EMS. A good spotter is better than a rear camera. The suggestions for a TPMS is a good one, too.

Rob

Ours did not. Westlake Load Rating E tires. I'm leaning towards tires first...

[Second Chance]

Ours did not. Westlake Load Rating E tires. I'm leaning towards tires first...

In that case, I agree. Get a good TPMS when you can, too.

Rob

[towdriver]

I got camera first then progressive industries built in EMS. Tires had 3 years and probably 20,000 miles on them and no issues

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[Troutd0g]

Interesting question - kind of a Maslow's hiearchy of needs type thing :-)

I have all 3 and I value ALL of them. Get all of them as budget permits, but your question is which one to get first, since $$ doesn't grow on trees.

3 ways (among others) to rank order the list:
- by cost/blast-radius of typical failure
- by cost/blast-radius of worst-case failure
- by probability of failure

To me all 3 analysis yield the same ranking:
1) TPMS
2) EMS
3) Backup cam (assuming a human spotter is present)

What I did after purchase of the trailer was:
1) replaced tires with Goodyear Endurance (right away)
2) purchased TireMinder TPMS (right away)
3) installed Furrion backup camera (1 year later)
4) installed hardwired Progressive Industries HWC50 (just recently)

However it is interesting to note that:
- TPMS won't prevent blowouts, you still have to deal with them when they happen, but it alerts the driver that it has happened or that pressure has dropped or temperature risen and it may happen - therefore is partially effective
- EMS actually prevents damage - therefore is fully effective
- rearview cameras are required by law on all 2018 and new vehicles, but not RV's - where the blind spot is FAR greater. This is perhaps because there's been very few injuries or deaths due to RV backing accidents compared to passenger vehicles. In an RV it's far more likely that a spotter assists during backing and we move much more slowly while backing. However, when i see little children riding their bikes around RV campgrounds I often worry about them being backed over or playing quietly behind a rig and becoming a victim of an accident. When drivers proudly proclaim that they don't need these camera's - they are ignoring the fact that there is never harm in having one more angle of view. I consider them a MUST for safety sake.

[TheLexx]

I have all 3.

Of the 3, I would rank the EMS as the most critical. This is because I've been to parks where there were undervoltage situations that could have damaged the trailer's electronics. I always plug the EMS in first and then flip the breaker to on. I let it cycle through and let me know both legs are ok. Then I turn the breaker off and hook up my trailer's electrical umbilical.

I do like the TPMS mainly because my F450 does not come with one. And it's far simpler to keep an eye out on tire pressures with the TPMS system than it is to run around with a tire pressure gauge, especially that inside tire on a dually.

My Furrion observation camera was not getting a signal this last trip and I had no issues. I don't really use it for backing up anyway since. I have my wife get out and we use walkie talkies. I also get out and look whenever there's a question. On the freeway, I had no issue changing lanes, as I could tell there were no cars in on my side or the other, since these trucks have such huge mirrors.

I do value the observation camera when in heavy city traffic though. When traffic is bumper to bumper, it helps me to be assertive and take an opening when I see it. I know exactly how much room I have to merge without hitting the other cars. So if I can't fix the Furrion, I'll be replacing it with another camera.

[Rob+Kath]

Like others here, I have all three. Good points made all around and I can't fault any of the choices.

First, I think this is a great question.
Second, I'll go at this a bit backwards:

The item I use the least is my backup camera. Yes, I use it backing up, but I still need a spotter for everything the camera can't see. A cheap set of $20 walkie talkies are just as (or more) valuable.

The EMS is working every minute I am plugged in.
The TPMS is working every mile I am moving.

Both reduce my stress level significantly, which is the ultimate goal. If I had to pick, It would depend on my intended travel style. Long distances with short stays makes me want the TPMS. Long stays and short trips might lean towards the EMS.
If I had to choose,.....EMS first. Not sure why. I think it is just my stress point.

Rob

[430Flyer]

Surge protector. Just my $.02 worth.