Community Forums

irene67 · 05-01-2017, 09:36 AM

We just got our rig out of storage and were driving it up to for inspection. I was following behind in the car when I noticed some sparks coming out by the driver's rear wheel and flagged down my husband to pull over ASAP....and then we saw fire and then this happened!!!!

We just bought this last year for a big trip out west and we and are planning another big trip again this year to New England. We aren't sure what happened other than the brakes were sticking a bit. From a little investigation it may have been dry wheel bearings?

So insurance has been contacted and we are trying to decide whether to start all over with a new motorhome? Or are we too scared and maybe look at 5th wheel or travel trailer instead.

All I know is that we are counting our blessings that no one was hurt and the rig was basically empty since it was just in storage and we hadn't started re-packing it yet. Thank GOD we weren't on a trip with our 3 kids - one of which is severely handicapped!

G3G4G5 · 05-01-2017, 09:41 AM

So sorry to see this! Thankfully no one was hurt.

okcnewbie · 05-01-2017, 09:43 AM

So glad everyone is ok! Wow.

TonyDi · 05-01-2017, 09:46 AM

Sorry about the fire. Thankfully no one was injured, that's what's really important. The MH can be replaced.

95B20V5 · 05-01-2017, 09:47 AM

Glad everyone is ok.
Almost had the same thing happen only it was to my toad that had a front passenger side caliper stick while towing behind motorhome. EEZ Tire pressure monitor showed all motorhome tires fine temperature wise except both front tires on toad.
Temp alarm went off at 158F so I pulled over. Temp climbed to over 200F and dropped after an hour or so.
No fire, lots of smoke and later new rotors, pads, abs sensors and hubs for both front wheels. TPMS saved my butt from pulling my truck down the road on fire. I have since set the temp threshold down to 120F instead of 158F we'll see may have to go back up in summer with warmer conditions.

Podivin · 05-01-2017, 10:02 AM

I'm glad everyone was OK!

While I certainly understand being nervous about 'getting back on the horse', I feel like it should be noted that a 5th wheel will have brakes and wheel bearings also.
No RV is impervious to fire, but that's true of the houses we live in also.
This particular file doesn't seem to have anything to do with then 'truck' part of the motorhome (though I suppose the fuel tank could have helped it along).

On the next one - whatever it is - put a fire extinguisher in every 'room' of the RV and make sure that everyone knows where they are and how they work.
I'm not implying you didn't have any yours. Sometimes "get out of harm's way and just be glad everyone OK" is really the very best thing to do.
I tend to think of these as 'if I can't put it out in 1 minute, then just buy time for everyone to get clear".

Being an ex-boater where there are strict rules and inspections for fire extinguishers, I follow basically the same rules here. On my 34' RV there are 3 extinguishers, so I'm never more than three steps away from one. They are mounted in places where it would be difficult to cover them or block access to them by accident.

parkerbill · 05-01-2017, 10:06 AM

Very sorry to see this, but happy no one was hurt. Things like trailer's can be replaced.

**JohnRR** · 05-01-2017, 10:22 AM

Thank you for sharing, sticking brakes would very easily cause something like this high temperatures and a bit of oil residue from around the wheel seal has lead to many of these type fires.

Once this type of fire ignites inside the brake drum normal vehicle fire extinguisher just are not very effective putting the fire out not enough retardant to smoother the supply of oxygen to the fire by the design of the brake drum.

But the bright side is your both OK and that's what really matters.

rarebear.nm · 05-01-2017, 10:38 AM

Glad no one hurt.

This is exactly the reason many of use TPMS (Tire pressure Monitoring Systems). They can alert you to high pressure and/or high temperature.

As for fire safety this is great web site from a highly respected RV fire expert. HOME

I have a total of seven fire extinguishers between my truck and 5th wheeler. Some are standard dry powder ABC and others are the newer foaming agent types. The foaming types are much better on tire and fiberglass fires. They don't leave nearly the mess of dry powder after use either, making them better inside the RV for things like a grease fire on the stove. The little BC fire extinguisher included in all RVs is nearly worthless IMO. They are too small and frequently may fail if needed from age.

If you do have dry powder ABC types, the most common, turn them upside down and shake them hard every year or more frequently to get the dry powder loosened up, the stuff tends to pack into the bottom while in transit. Also check the pressure reading on them.

Mudfrog · 05-01-2017, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rarebear.nm

Glad no one hurt.

This is exactly the reason many of use TPMS (Tire pressure Monitoring Systems). They can alert you to high pressure and/or high temperature.

As for fire safety this is great web site from a highly respected RV fire expert. HOME

I have a total of seven fire extinguishers between my truck and 5th wheeler. Some are standard dry powder ABC and others are the newer foaming agent types. The foaming types are much better on tire and fiberglass fires. They don't leave nearly the mess of dry powder after use either, making them better inside the RV for things like a grease fire on the stove. The little BC fire extinguisher included in all RVs is nearly worthless IMO. They are too small and frequently may fail if needed from age.

If you do have dry powder ABC types, the most common, turn them upside down and shake them hard every year or more frequently to get the dry powder loosened up, the stuff tends to pack into the bottom while in transit. Also check the pressure reading on them.

TPMS is a good investment for sure. A sticking brake pad/caliper gets very hot very quickly. I've witnessed the smell and smoke firsthand. I may be reading too much into Irene's post but it sounds like her husband may have been driving the rig with knowledge that the brake was sticking. Hopefully not but if so, i'm sure he's learned a valuable lesson. We always need to pull over as soon as we can when there's any hint of a brake problem.

Good advice on turning dry chemical extinguishers over to mix the powder but i'd also suggest taking a rubber mallet, or something similar, and giving the bottom of the extinguisher a couple of whops while it was upside down.

Irene, sorry that this happened. Not good to experience something like this but things will work out. The main thing is that no one got hurt!

MSHappyCampers · 05-01-2017, 01:35 PM

Terrible experience but glad you're OK! Things can be replaced, people can't!

6x16inside · 05-01-2017, 02:01 PM

Oh lord, I would just want to die!! So glad you were only getting ready to get ready.

FreshAir · 05-01-2017, 02:02 PM

So sorry to hear and see this. It is very bad but as you realized it could have been much worse. Just try to move on and our best wishes are with you.

Sincerely,
Pat & Denise