First trip out almost a disaster

[oceandansar]

So we left Christmas day on our first trip in our new to us Montana. Pretty decent trip to pine mountain ga for a few days then down to seminole state park for new years eve and a few more nights then we were going to take a few more nights heading south till we wound up back home next Wednesday. Yesterday the norcold refrigerator had started acting up and not cooling very well,I really dodn't know much about these units so I just kept an eye on the temp inside the refrigerator and it really didn't seem to be cooling very well. We had eaten with the neighbors that night so the wife had taken our dishes back to our trailer to wash while I sat around the campfire with our friends when I heard a strange noise and my wife screaming for me to come when I started that way I saw the side of our trailer glowing orange freaked out I ran inside to a smoke filled room to save our year old yorkie while my wife was screaming for someone to call the fire dept I went back in to get our wallets and cell phones and keys then one last dash in to get the fire extinquisher when I ran around the front with it in hand I ran full speed into the trailer hitch and dang near knocked myself out. Thank God someone was there to take the extinquisher and our neighbor got there with his and I was able to get the hose out of the storage compartment and we doused the fire just as about four fire trucks arrived. What an unbelievable experience all the folks around us and the ga fire dept were so kind to us. only damage on the outside of the trailer is the melted vents inside just the back of the cabinet behind the refrigerator. Thank the good Lord no one was injured or killed other than the gash on my head. If my wife hadn't been there one of our fur babies would have been killed. Thank the Lord also for insurance who has already been called and they knew what refrigerator it was. I can't understand how a company can use a product as lethal as this refrigerator and be able to sleep at night.

[DQDick]

It's not just Norcold (google rv refrigerator fires or Dometic refrigerator fires). RV refrigerator fires are not uncommon. We have added an automated fire extinguisher to the refrigerator compartment on our rig. At the Escapee national rally where we bought it, they sold out of them the first day and then got more at the end of the rally and sold out of them that day also.

[MikeM]

DQDick - any info on where to buy???

[mhs4771]

Adds more Fuel to the Fire (pun intended) to switch to a Residential Fridge. We love ours, more room, a real freezer compartment, no outside vents, and uses less energy than a standard Gas/Electric RV fridge.

[oceandansar]

We are definitely switching to residential so please throw out some recommendations that will work in that space. The wife and i and most of our friends are carpenters and furniture makers by hobby so modifications wont be a problem

[BB_TX]

Were the fire extinguisher units anything like this?

[mlh]

How often does this happen? This is scary. What is the cause?
Lynwood

[chris199]

I am so sorry for this incident but at the same time so extremely thankful no one (including the pups) was hurt. You can replace the camper and may not even be "made whole" by insurance ( I hope you are!) but this could have had a far far worse outcome. So glad you are OK and had people close by to help. Fellow campers really are truly friends we just haven't met yet.

[DQDick]

quote:Originally posted by BB_TX

Were the fire extinguisher units anything like this?

It was similar to that but with a 90 degree head so that when it lays flat behind the fridge the discharge is aimed where I need it. Bracket didn't fit so I zip tied it in place.

[oceandansar]

Chris199 you are so right we are not to upset about the camper it can be repaired, we are so thankful that no one was hurt we would have been devesrated if our pups were killed or anybody inside. Material possessions can be replaced. We were truly blessed by all the campers that came out to help and speak words of kindness and concern. We really are a tight knit group.

[1retired06]

Guess we are lucky, 40 years of RVing and never a fire issue. Did have a recall fix on our 2010 Norcold for a potential overheating issue. Reminder to me to get rid of the cheap extinguisher that came with our 2015 and replace with a quality one.

[DQDick]

I don't think RV fridge fires are any more frequent than Diesel Pusher fires, but both things happen.