Traveling on open roads can be incredibly dangerous, especially in an RV. You never know what the road will throw at you during your adventures.
Recently, an RV was on its way to New Orleans and experienced a nightmare situation. Thankfully, he acted quickly and made the best of the situation.
Today we are sharing this Redditor’s encounter and sharing safety tips for your future travels. Let’s dive in and help you avoid a future nightmare!
Redditor’s RV bursts into flames while driving
One Redditor, Vdoman, shared a recent horrific ordeal in his post “Should be in New Orleans right now.” However, as he, his wife, and their pets were driving west on Interstate 10 west of Mobile, their RV caught fire.
They watched from a safe distance as their gear and future adventures burst into flames.
It was only minutes before the entire rig was engulfed in flames and black smoke began billowing into the air.
How did the fire start?
The Redditor shared that they encountered an object on the road on I-10 heading to New Orleans. The object was a wheel that had fallen off a trailer truck at some point.
The driver feared that if he tried to dodge around the steering wheel quickly, he would tip the RV over on its side. It was safest to drive over the tire that got stuck under his team.
Unfortunately, the wheel punctured the RV’s gas tank. As you can imagine, the sparks quickly ignited the gasoline escaping from the tank. This hastened the flames and the seriousness of the problem.
Strangers come to the rescue
The Redditor shared that a driver stopped two cars behind them to offer help. He and his wife were overwhelmed by the generosity of the strangers who came to their rescue.
The strangers invited the couple to their home to await the arrival of their family. His brother-in-law drove back and forth for seven hours to pick her up.
RV is total but all are safe
While he, his wife and their pets escaped safely, their RV was completely destroyed.
The couple lost almost everything on the rig, including their phones and credit cards. Ultimately, everything they’ve lost is replaceable, but that doesn’t make it any less poignant.
Last we heard the couple are awaiting feedback from the insurance company to see how they will resolve the situation.
Depending on the insurance company, this can be a quick and easy process or a lengthy and frustrating process that requires legal action.
Are RV fires common?
The exact number of RV fires per year is not publicly available.
However, data from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) shows that recreational vehicles, including trailers and RVs, caused an estimated 4,400 building fires per year in the United States from 2014-2018.
RV fires are not common, but they can occur due to various factors such as electrical malfunctions, propane gas leaks, or cooking accidents. But also travel accidents can lead to camper van fires.
You can hit a tire like this family, have mechanical problems in your RV, or get involved in an accident while driving. Always be careful when traveling and standing with your motorhome.
What are common causes of RV fires?
While RV fires may not be a common occurrence, there are some common reasons why they occur. The most common causes are electrical malfunctions, propane gas leaks, cooking accidents, engine problems, and battery problems.
It is important to regularly inspect and maintain your RV, follow the manufacturer’s recommendations and take proper safety precautions to reduce the risk of RV fires.
Fire safety tips for mobile homes
We want you to stay safe while enjoying your motorhome. Here are some tips to follow to maximize your safety on your adventures.
Check your fire extinguishers and smoke detectors regularly
Safety devices such as fire extinguishers and smoke detectors are not enough. You need to make sure you know how to use them and that they work properly.
The last thing you want to discover during an emergency is your safety gear not working. We recommend that you check these safety devices at the beginning and end of each camping season.
Replace the smoke detector batteries and make sure your fire extinguisher is properly pressurized. If you do, you can trust them to save the day when you need to use them.
Keep up with your maintenance
The user guide that came with your device will likely list the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance items.
However, if you want your rig to last as long as possible and be safe, don’t treat these as “recommendations”.
Keeping up with the maintenance of your RV is important, and some things need to be done more often than others.
Before each trip, take the time to inspect your RV. This is a great opportunity to check for any maintenance you may need to perform or to troubleshoot problems. Pay special attention to your tires and brakes as they generate tremendous heat and can cause fires.
Don’t hesitate to tackle necessary repairs, especially when they affect your electrical system. You could have a loose wire or connection somewhere in your system that could quickly escalate into a serious situation.
Keep in mind: One of our main concerns before we set out was RV safety. Feel safe on the road with these handy RV safety products!
Store valuables in the fireproof safe
You never know if or when a fire will break out. If you’re traveling with valuables, invest in a fireproof safe.
RV fires usually destroy the entire contents of an RV. Protect items like social security cards, birth certificates, marriage certificates, and other important documents.
Don’t forget hard drives, SD cards or electronics. Insurance policies often do not cover these items unless you have the right policy. You might find yourself having to buy thousands of dollars in electronics.
Know how to use emergency exits
RVs usually have emergency exits in the sleeping quarters. These exits help people escape quickly when a fire or other serious situation occurs. Take the time to familiarize yourself and everyone else in your RV with how to use it.
You don’t want to try opening them for the first time in a tense situation. If possible, we recommend opening and closing these windows regularly. This can help avoid possible sticking due to moisture or dirt bonding the rubber seals together.
Keep in mind: Every RV driver should know how to use their RV emergency exit window! How well are you prepared for an emergency?
Act immediately
If you want to save anything in your facility, you shouldn’t wait until you see flames. If you smell or see smoke, act. In these situations, every second counts.
Grab what you can and get off your rig as fast as you can. While tempting, you should not return to your facility once you have safely escaped.
Also, it’s a good idea to warn others nearby. If you find yourself in a crowded campground, there’s a good chance your RV fire could easily spread to your neighbors.
If you give them advance warning, they can quickly pack up and move their gear. If they are unable to move, they will appreciate the extra time to remove any valuables in their RV.
Don’t let an RV fire ruin your future adventures
It is important to take preventative measures to avoid RV fires and ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. However, this Redditor has evidence that RV fires can happen in the blink of an eye.
Make time for regular maintenance, use equipment appropriately, and have working safety devices. You want to do everything possible to avoid having a fire ruin your future RV adventures.
And if you can’t avoid it, make quick decisions to get everyone out safely.
Did you have an RV fire drill?