Montana fire

[MidMOTraveler]

Sorry I can’t post pictures no computer but check KSFY.com television in SD for the link. A Montana on fire on I-29 everyone was safe and got the truck away but Poor Montana was a total loss.

[K0LCB]

I feel sorry for those folks!

[BB_TX]

https://www.ksfy.com/content/news/Ca...514083791.html

[Ram Montana High Country]

it was on FB also - way to ruin your day

[1retired06]

Bet propane was a factor.

[Daryles]

Maybe the fridge on propane mode??

[Dave W]

Sure would be nice to know the reason. Was it another Norcold 'problem'?

[Fishin2dMax]

The Montana that burned looks to be a newer HC 2018 or 2019 model. Source of fire appears to be toward center rear (right side) which is where the refrigerator is located on that model? It also could have been a wheel bearing or tire related? At least the owner was able to get the jacks down and truck unhitched. I feel bad for the owners - not fun! It would be nice to know the source of the fire since many of us own newer HC's.

[DmaxDually]

That's why I recently installed the SS30-CAG-155f automatic fire extinguisher from Fire Fighting Products behind my Norcold 1210. It was specifically design to mount behind RV refrigerators for exactly that reason. It is well worth the $250.00 investment...

http://www.firefightproducts.com

[rohrmann]

Instead of expecting a fire to put out, I decided to use the ARP device to prevent the possibility of a fire. The fridge can't burn if the temperature of the cooling unit is kept at a safe level, which is what the ARP device does. We are going on four years since having our cooling unit replaced the second time, that due to a leaking cooling unit, and the freezer right now is 12 degrees and the fridge is at 35 degrees. I installed the ARP device when the second cooling unit was installed.

[Dave W]

Just be well aware that not all Montana models (or for that matter, any other brand) you may have to remove the fridge to install that ARP device.To pull the fridge out if your 5er has a full counter as our HC has, not an island, is a job that I would not look forward to undertaking lightly

[artfuldodger]

Doesn't look like a HC to me. Looks like a 3790 or 3791 with a straight , flat roof all the way back. I had an ARP installed by Paul Umac
at Quartzsite 3 yrs. ago . It worked for the first year, then was shutting the fridge off constantly for no reason. Talked to Paul over the phone to reset it but still shut down the unit. I believe the exhaust thermostat is faulty but to be fair haven't advised Paul. I run without it on. As long as you don't drive with fridge on and with the propane off at the tank no fridge leak should develop to start a fire. Leaks are caused by operating the fridge while off level which causes the evaporator to rust from the inside until there is a leak of ammonia which is flammable and can be ignited by the propane flame. That's my understanding of fridge fires anyway.

[DmaxDually]

Driving with the refrigerator off is good, if you live really close to your camp ground, but is not an option for me or a lot of other's 5'er owners who don't have generators. Has anyone tested how long food would last in an RV refrigerator driving for hours in Florida, Texas, Arizona, etc in the summer with the sun beating down on the refrigerator side of the RV with it turned off?

[AZ Traveler]

I think all we know is it caught on fire - maybe an insurance scam?

[artfuldodger]

We travel very long distances in the fall and spring and put in about 8 to10 hrs per day. The food is still frozen and the fridge cold. Temps are not as hot as Arizona in summer, but around 55 to 75 deg. Better to lose food from time to time than risk a fridge fire.

[Thorsell]

Originally Posted by artfuldodger

Doesn't look like a HC to me. Looks like a 3790 or 3791 with a straight , flat roof all the way back. I had an ARP installed by Paul Umac
at Quartzsite 3 yrs. ago . It worked for the first year, then was shutting the fridge off constantly for no reason. Talked to Paul over the phone to reset it but still shut down the unit. I believe the exhaust thermostat is faulty but to be fair haven't advised Paul. I run without it on. As long as you don't drive with fridge on and with the propane off at the tank no fridge leak should develop to start a fire. Leaks are caused by operating the fridge while off level which causes the evaporator to rust from the inside until there is a leak of ammonia which is flammable and can be ignited by the propane flame. That's my understanding of fridge fires anyway.

It's a Montana High Country based on the outside design and one of the smaller units. There are several models out now with a straight flat roofs. Supposedly this was a 305RL model. We have a 3790.

Respectfully,
Laura Thorsell

[awheeler]

Originally Posted by artfuldodger

Doesn't look like a HC to me. Looks like a 3790 or 3791 with a straight , flat roof all the way back.

Not a 3790 or 3791. I have the 3791RD and there are 3 slides on the driver side with the Kitchen in the middle.


Regardless, terrible.

[jsb5717]

Kinda looks like our 305RL. Except ours doesn't have the optional flame accessories.

What a nightmare! I guess we should never say never

[Mocron]

Our 2009 burned to the ground in about 15 minutes. We were in another area of the camp at the time. Two fire inspectors independently determined it likely was electrical, starting in the living room. The only thing anyone could figure is that it was a laptop battery or charger that over heated - a lot. So we no longer leave our laptop plugged in over night or when we're out - even at home.

[jpwhite]

Has anyone installed a inverter to run the norcold on electric while traveling? Something I am considering and wondering if any one has relevant input on size and installation options. Ideally the inverter would provide power when the truck is hooked up and running and disconnect otherwise to allow propane operation.