Need Advice on picking the right fire extinguishers

tjhaf2007

New member
Looking to get (2) Fire Extinguishers for my new rig. i wanted to get abc extinguishers, preferably halon, but they are expensive. i didnt want to do dry chemical because its bad on cars. i plan on using my new 07 as a camping rig, and i need a good set of fire extinguishers. i plan on mounting them where the rear coat hangers use to be. where is a good place to order Fire Extinguishers at, and what is they best option for price and use??? im not against dry chemical, id just rather stay away from it if i can.
 
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What do you need them for? Unless your fire gets out of control, under no circumstance should you ever use a fire extinguisher just to put a properly controlled and contained fire out.

Those things have nasty chemicals and using them to put out a fire spews unnecessary chemicals into the ground and surrounding areas for wildlife to wander through.

If you have a fire, in a proper ring, and you control the fire then it should either be able to be put out with a light dusting of dirt or water. I have been backpacking for about 25 years as well as car camping and I have literally never had a need for a fire extinguisher. Ever.

As for if you car goes up, you want chemical. Oil, gas, chemicals, plastic. All very nasty and chemical is rated against it.
 
I just want them for peace of mind. Not planning on using them, its more for a preventative measure just in case. Im very safe with fire, but why not have a little help if and when things go south.
 
I just want them for peace of mind. Not planning on using them, its more for a preventative measure just in case. Im very safe with fire, but why not have a little help if and when things go south.

This. Just like seat belts and firearms, you don't need either 99.999% of the time. But when you actually need one of those there are no substitutes, you have to have them. I have a dry chemical in mine. See my equation: Men + trucks + camping + bourbon + more bourbon + fire = You need a fire extinguisher and a good first aid kit:biggrin1:
 
Whatever you end up getting, I'd reconsider your mounting location. I know I wouldn't want a tank at head height with a clear line of sight to my head during an accident.
 
i found out that halon is illegal. so i started looking at other types of extinguishers again. after some research and stuff, i decided that the best option of an ABC extinguisher would indeed be a dry chemical type. you can order them with the metal vehicle brackets. now i just need to reconsider my mounting locations.
 
I don't think halon is illegal, just banned (similar to other older ozone depleting compounds). You can still find halon extinguishers... but as you noted, they are pricey and a time will come in the very near future that re-filling them will be all but damn near impossible.

I'd strongly evaluate what you actually want the extinguisher for.

1) If it is for camping, then I'd plan ahead and just take a 2gal yard sprayer with you when you camp and fill it with water prior to making a fire. There's not substitute for a proper fire ring and monitoring of a fire, but if you just want something more than dirt... I'd opt for something that you may already own and has alternate uses.

2) If it is for vehicle emergencies and you need to consider burning electrical, plastics, rubber, fluids, etc... strongly consider a halatron extinguisher or some newer 'clean agent' fire extinguisher. While they are pricey... you'll save in costs after the fire. In reading blogs about what happens to your vehicle electronics & solder from chemical agents... there's a BIG reason IT, server rooms, electronic manufacturers, and auto racers don't use chemical - damage costs from the chemicals typically far outweigh any small fire damage. If you're got a decent fire under your hood or in vehicle, you're probably going to be screwed anyway with a small 'clean agent' extinguisher regardless. If you tried to use a small 'clean agent' extinguisher on any decent camp fire that got 'out of control'... it would be of minimal help as there won't be enough of it to address the fire.

Finally - whatever extinguisher you decide to buy - make sure you know how to properly aim and use the type of agent & extinguisher you purchase. The application method of agent to a fire make a huge difference in how quickly and effectively the fire is suppressed.
 
Toyota 4Runner Fire Extinguisher

fireex2.jpg
 
Nice mounting location JA. I saw a guys brand new Cadillac sedan burn out the engine bay yesterday in my parking lot at work so it reminded me of this thread. Even with the firefighters on scene it took a while to get put out.

I've had mine tucked next to the rear seat since I bought the truck. It doesn't budge since it's wedged between the door and seat bottom and if I ever needed it, just open the door!

It's an ABC so it'll damage the electronics if I ever have to use it on a vehicle, but I've always carried one and they've proven useful in situations I've happened upon while driving. Putting out grass fire some a hole caused by tossing out his cigarette...those kinds of things.

I have a snatch strap stored in the same place on the passenger side.

 
now i just need to reconsider my mounting locations.

You want it where you can get it right now. I have my extinguisher mounted on the roll bar behind the passenger seat - when my battery hold down failed and the battery started a fire under the hood, I lost precious time going to the back of the truck to get the fire extinguisher, and it would have been even longer if my top had been on. With a vehicle fire, fractions of a second can make the difference between a) replacing some wiring loom and vacuum hose when you get back to town or b) smoldering wreckage on the side of the road/trail/whatever. You want to mount your extinguisher within easy reach, either under the front of the seat or behind the center console, somewhere you can snag it as you're jumping out of the truck.
 

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