Fires

[LCrabtree]

Has anyone on here had occasion to use the fire extinguisher (or any other) on a fire involving an RV (not limited to Keystone). If so, what was your experience?

I am a retired fire fighter with about 38 years of experience in that field.

I see long-haul trucks with extinguishers inside of external compartments. Keystone delivered our trailer with one tiny bizarre brand extinguisher mounted just inside the single door.

As a fire fighter all of the RV fires that I attended, and there were may, were complete losses. I cannot recall one incident where I responded to an RV fire that was slowed, contained, or controlled by hand held extinguishers?

Would one be just as well served to mount the extinguisher inside of one of the outside compartments such as on long-haul trucks?

I'm interested in your experience(s) ...

Larry

[dwall]

Never had an experience with a fire but knowing what materials are used in rv construction I would think the fire truck would need to be parked outside when it starts to have much of an effect on a fire. I would be more concerned about getting everyone safely away.

[Cbrez]

We replaced the factory extinguisher next to the exterior door with a slightly larger one. Also added an extinguisher in the bedroom closet. Third extinguisher goes in the rear of the truck. Realistically though I think I’d probably only use them as necessary to get out of the RV. I saw a TT burn a few summers ago. The fire department established a perimeter and watched until the propane tanks burned out before putting water on it. If they aren’t going to mess with it neither am I.

[Cyberian]

I have an uncle who apparently didn't check the tire pressure or look in his mirrors often enough and melted a MiniWinnie down to a smoldering heap when an inside dual went flat, caught fire, and overheated the full propane tank to the point that the pop-off opened and of course turned the whole thing into a rolling inferno.

Wasn't an extinguisher on earth that would've likely helped by that point but the one they had was just inside the already on fire camper box door.

They got it parked on the shoulder and bailed out. Everybody was fine.

Who came up with putting the propane compartment behind the rear tires?

[notanlines]

About a year ago this came up in a similar post and I mentioned then that there does NOT need to be a fire extinguisher back in the kid's bedroom. It would indicate that one should stay and try to put out the fire. That is the LAST thing a child should think about. Screaming and quickly moving to the exit is job one!

[Pull Toy]

CHEAP INSURANCE! ....(or survival)

First thing I do when we brought home all of our campers was to mount the "little white weenie" on my riding lawnmower! I then went to BJ's and bought 2 twin packs of the good ol' fashioned Kidde Red Bottles.

One unit went into the truck, one went into the entry doorway, one went into the 5er's bedroom. The fourth one is mounted in the hallway at home. After 20years of volunteer fire fighting, the trick is to get out alive, not necessarily save the rig.

Never had a camper fire, but did use the truck extinguisher when a plastic gas line sprung a leak on my '87 454 Chevy. if I didn't have an extinguisher in the cab... I would have lost the truck!

p.s. Always check that the Gauge is in the green, and give'r a good shake to unpack the powder, as part of your PTI!

[gearhead]

Oh it's on fire?
I'll call State Farm sometime.

[CrazyCain]

Had a pop up, electric short inside the canvas, lite the tent part of the pull out bed on fire...Thing was burning to no end. Grabbed the fire extinguisher and was able to put the damn thing out. The only reason i put it out was because it was right next to my house..Insurance totaled it. That's when the Hideout came into play.....

[LarrySharon]

I have a fire extinguishers located at both sides of the bed. I need to get a couple more and place them inside of my truck cab incase I have a fire (or someone else) if towing. And probably another 2 (placing one on each side)for the inside of my storage compartment.

[TJO]

Will always have one in the bedroom as mentioned above more about getting out than saving the trailer in my eyes. Great responses from everyone.


Cheers Tom

[Mainebear]

I'm also a retired Fire fighter and purchased a 35' Alpine last week and laughed to myself when I saw the little extinguisher next to the entry door. I have since purchased 2 large Kidde 3A-10 ABC extinguishers to install into 5-er and will put at least 1 other one in truck cab that I already own.

[Ken / Claudia]

Those markings on comm trucks are to show a rescue person where a extinguisher is located. The driver already knows.
I have not put any RV fires out. I have been dispatched to a few motorized RVs on fire. All those were also too far gone to do anything except allow the fire guys to put lots of wet stuff on the red stuff.
I think the factory extinguishers are only good for a stove top type fire. Anymore than that and it's all about escape.
Not sure what good a extinguisher is in a locked storage area. Is anyone going to get it and use it to go in the RV and fight a fire. I know what I am not doing, going in a RV on fire unless equipped with fire clothing and breathing devices.
I was dumb enough to go into a burning house once. I learned as much as I tried I could not stand up and breath. I almost became a victim. Between smoke/flame and likely entrapment inside a burning RV, I am not going in.

[Cbrez]

About a year ago this came up in a similar post and I mentioned then that there does NOT need to be a fire extinguisher back in the kid's bedroom. It would indicate that one should stay and try to put out the fire. That is the LAST thing a child should think about. Screaming and quickly moving to the exit is job one!

Excellent point. Would not have thought about that nuance.

[5J's]

This is a topic not talked about but likely one of the most important. I ran across an item a while back that I've debated but never thought about sharing here, not sure why it didn't cross my mind. I'm not sure how well it works but in the midst of those most familiar with fire in likely to get some good feedback. Check out this YouTube video. https://youtu.be/Xu3g9mIfBWo

[ken56]

An important topic to be sure. I have concerns that my wife might not be agile enough to make it through the escape window if that became necessary. I have told her I would shove her butt out and then use her as a cushion if I have to if we can't get out the door.


I also have put an extinguisher in the bedroom and one in my truck along with the one that came with the trailer. Escape is the primary goal and to survive. The toxic fumes will get you before the fire ever did. Make sure you have fresh batteries in that smoke detector.

[captbozy]

I believe the fire extinguisher is a requirement for sale of RV.
Therefore a small one will do.
It will handle a grease fire in a pan or small electrical or ordinary combustible fire.
Smoke and CO alarms are the first line of defense for life safety.
Buy good insurance and get out alive.

[takpak]

I retired as a chief engineer of a high rise building. Fire protection and safety was part of my job. Regarding the "baby" extinguisher that comes with an RV, it's required. It is good for putting out a grease fire on the stove or a small electrical fire, but that's it. I've mounted a 10 pound extinguisher next to the door, one in the bedroom, and one in the basement. Also have one in the truck. As mentioned, it's basically got "get one's self out" and get away. RV's will go up in minutes. I also went a bit further and besides the original smoke detector in the hall, I installed one in the bedroom, and one in the basement, which is where most of the electrical, batteries, furnace, etc. are. Plus on ours it's right under the bedroom. I figure if something happens down there, I'll have an advanced warning. One word of caution; don't leave the basement door open when you have a campfire nearby. Smoke travels, and....well............sigh. At least I know it works!!!!

[bobnelms]

We had a fire on a wheel bearing under or cougar 5th wheel while traveling on an interstate. I saw smoke billowing out the back through my rear view camera. I pulled over to the side of the interstate ASAP looked under the rv and saw flames coming from the wheel area. I opened up the rv door and reached inside and grabbed the fire extinguisher. I creaked under the rv and aimed at the fire and pulled the trigger. Fire won't out. Could have been a disaster. Extinguisher saved us.

[Laredo Tugger]

We had a fire on a wheel bearing under or cougar 5th wheel while traveling on an interstate. I saw smoke billowing out the back through my rear view camera. I pulled over to the side of the interstate ASAP looked under the rv and saw flames coming from the wheel area. I opened up the rv door and reached inside and grabbed the fire extinguisher. I creaked under the rv and aimed at the fire and pulled the trigger. Fire won't out. Could have been a disaster. Extinguisher saved us.

Exactly the intent of on board fire extinguishers. To stop a small fire and extinguish it before becoming a large one. I carry a few myself but will be adding to and upgrading the inventory after following this thread.
Good job bobnelms!
Thanks
RMc

[johnlewis]

I agree with Ken / Claudia. We put a slightly larger extinguisher inside the entry door, but that was just to have a little more insurance if I got sloppy trying to put out a stovetop fire. Anything else, you need to get out quickly. The synthetic materials used in furniture and RV construction burn quickly. I've heard someone say you can have as little as 45 seconds to get out of an RV if it's on fire.

[IMASAP]

This is a topic not talked about but likely one of the most important. I ran across an item a while back that I've debated but never thought about sharing here, not sure why it didn't cross my mind. I'm not sure how well it works but in the midst of those most familiar with fire in likely to get some good feedback. Check out this YouTube video. https://youtu.be/Xu3g9mIfBWo


Certainly interesting..... this is the first I've heard of these. From what I can see, about $400 for just the tube that goes in the refrigerator compartment, makes these out of reach for most..... especially since they age out in a few years.

[5J's]

Certainly interesting..... this is the first I've heard of these. From what I can see, about $400 for just the tube that goes in the refrigerator compartment, makes these out of reach for most..... especially since they age out in a few years.Yep, there is definitely a benefit\cost ratio to consider. It is hard to swallow and I'm curious about the time issue. I could not see the cost benefit in replacing them every couple of years. May be buy a set and pray you never need them and as your running out the door two years later hope they work.

[Nicculi]

My parents were lucky to have the forethought to have a few extra extinguishers with them last year. A neighboring camper(boondocking) let his fire get a bit too large during cotton season(cottonwood trees). Their 5er had flames all around and under it. The culprits pounded on the side of their rig, and my dad was quick enough to grab an extinguisher,(at 11pm) and knock down the big flames, and finally grabbed his outside shower nozzle and got the rest. Luckily he was quick on his toes, and was able to keep a cool head. Saved their trailer, and possibly the whole campground

[the406life]

As a firefighter myself, my experiences with RV fires have been the same as yours. First thing I do with a new camper is replace the provided extinguisher with a quality one. I do however leave it mounted inside the trailer where I can get it quickly.
My thoughts on it are like this. I don't give a rat's butt about the RV itself. I want a quality extinguisher inside the RV where I can access it quickly. If my RV catches on fire while my family is inside it I want an extinguisher capable of providing a means of egress for my family and myself.

In short, I'm using the extinguisher to make sure I get my wife and kids kicked outside to safety, jumping ship myself, and then watch the sucker burn. I have insurance and don't care if it burns to the ground. I've already had a fifth wheel destroyed by cartwheeling in the ditch and it wasn't that big of a deal from an insurance/replacement standpoint.

Use the extinguisher to provide egress for your family and yourself, then watch it burn.
If I'm towing our trailer and it catches fire, I have an extinguisher in my truck. I'm using it to make sure I can get my truck unhooked, then I'm gonna watch it burn. I'm not breathing that crap to try saving it.

Even if I could stop the fire in my RV, if it's bigger than a toaster fire or frying pan fire, I don't want to put it out. I don't want it repaired and returned to me. We all know those things are built as cheaply and lightly as possible. Once they have significant damage, I don't want it back. Let the insurance pay for it and I'll go buy a new one.

[Eric MP]

Thanks for your post. Based on the answers..... I have see a need for additional fire extinguishers. Now.....my Q due to your career. Any recommendations on portable extinguishers? In particular, maybe, brands to avoid?:hide: Thanks, Eric MP

[the406life]

Thanks for your post. Based on the answers..... I have see a need for additional fire extinguishers. Now.....my Q due to your career. Any recommendations on portable extinguishers? In particular, maybe, brands to avoid?:hide: Thanks, Eric MP

I purchase AMEREX brand extinguishers from a local company that sells and services fire suppression systems.
Inside our travel trailer I keep a 5lb 2A 10BC rated extinguisher at each end of the trailer. In my truck I keep a 10lb 4A 80BC rated extinguisher.
The 5lb Amerex extinguishers can be had for usually about $65 each and the 10lb ones are usually right at $100 give or take a couple bucks.
I believe that Kidde makes a decent rechargeable extinguisher that come in a 2-pack at Home Depot for about $70. Badger also makes good quality stuff.
Keep in mind these extinguishers are refillable for reuse after they have been discharged. They should also be tested and serviced at recommended intervals.
More important than staying away from a certain brand, I just stay away from crappy cheap disposable extinguishers.

Before you consider going to Costco, Walmart, Lowes etc. and buying disposable extinguishers go talk to your local company that sells fire suppression systems and safety gear. Ask them to tell you some disposable extinguisher horror stories. They will have extensive examples of why disposable ones are garbage.
Remember the chemical in an ABC extinguisher is powder and will settle/pack into the bottom of the extinguisher under the vibration of traveling. After a road trip turn them upside down and give them a shake to unsettle it.
You can also use a rubber mallet to give the bottom a couple good smacks while it’s upside down.