Community Forums

nwtfhunter · 11-15-2022, 09:57 AM

Last winter our RV park neighbors in Florida bought a new Jeep Wrangler hybrid to tow. It has the ICB engine and the lithium battery that you can plug in to recharge. He is an experienced RVer, had it setup by a major RV dealer in FT. Myers and they towed it home to Chicago area, no issues. Last week they started heading south and made it to southern Illinois when some drivers passing them waved them over. They stopped and the Jeep was on fire. They were able to unhook the coach so no damage to it. Three fire engines arrived but could not put the fire out. Total loss. Everything I've been able to read does not mention any special guidelines for towing this Jeep. I hope to learn more as they find out more about what might have happened. Just wanted to share this story about an electric/hybrid vehicle.

NXR · 11-15-2022, 04:20 PM

The 4XE? If so here's a thread from almost a year ago: https://www.irv2.com/forums/f85/2021...ad-529945.html

Ray

ChrisDParise · 11-23-2022, 04:28 PM

Internal combustion engine vehicles aren't immune to fires. We take it for granted sitting on 20 gallons of gasoline is safe but bad things do happen to those vehicles too.

AlanTerry · 11-23-2022, 05:03 PM

I have changed my mine on using a pin lock on the blueox tow bar. After seeing post and videos on toads on fire, if not locked you might have a chance to save your RV. Yes heaven and earth must align to be able to unhitch the toad but a small chance is better than both on fire. JMHO.

Country Road · 11-24-2022, 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlanTerry

I have changed my mine on using a pin lock on the blueox tow bar. After seeing post and videos on toads on fire, if not locked you might have a chance to save your RV. Yes heaven and earth must align to be able to unhitch the toad but a small chance is better than both on fire. JMHO.

I also lock the tow bar pin. It does make you question which is the best way to go because in a panic situation, trying to find the keyhole or the combination for the lock may challenge you.

scenic route · 11-27-2022, 04:25 PM

Most of us have tow bar pins that have been installed for years in the coach's receiver...rust and all. Depending on where the fire is, lock or no lock, disconnecting may not be an option. It's not worth the possibility of becoming a crispy critter.

Edit: Just a thought: Most people lose a lot of their fine motor skills in panic situations that severely slows any attempted action.

AlanTerry · 11-27-2022, 04:54 PM

Here is a video that they successfully got the the keep on fire separated. I do take my blueox out of the receiver to put my bike rack on the RV instead of on the toad when we are in a campground where we will ride the e-bikes. I can lock them on the rack better for security reasons.