Small Warning

[KingPrat]

Fire Extinguishers?

Had an interesting weekend, to say the least. My father picked up a 2001 ZRT 600 snowmobile for a really cheap price, and on Saturday we went to pick it up. It hadn't run in 3 years, so it took some coaxing to get it started. I noticed that it didn't sound right, and thought to myself that maybe a mouse had gotten somewhere or some exhaust donuts were shot.

I went to drive it onto the trailer and it backfired, as expected. I got it on the trailer, and shut it down. There were some flames left behind in the dry grass that we stamped out and by the time I looked back, smoke was pouring out from under the hood. I immediately knew we had trouble.

We scrambled and got it off of the trailer and cleared the truck out of the way. Within 3 minutes it looked like this.

Needless to say, it's a total loss. Unfortunately it was my uncle's sled, and he put a TON of money into it. This is what's left.

A word to the wise. If something feels off, stop what you're doing, shut everything down, and take the easy route. ESPECIALLY when it comes to working with gasoline and hot exhausts. I was stubborn and said to myself "it'll be OK just to get it on the trailer."

Serious downer for us, but no one was hurt, and the house/trailer/4runner/shop wasn't damaged in the least bit.

This has inspired me to purchase a fire extinguisher for the T4R, does anyone else carry one in that rear passenger cargo area? Seems like a perfect spot.

 

[talonjade]

do i hear a fire-hose mod coming??? LOL

glad to hear you and your stuff was ok...apart from the sled.

 

[KidVermicious]

This has inspired me to purchase a fire extinguisher for the T4R, does anyone else carry one in that rear passenger cargo area? Seems like a perfect spot.

I have one on my roll bar. I'm told by guys that have had to use theirs that when it comes to vehicle fires, you can't carry one big enough.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

I was just talking to Keak about this last week. Make sure when you buy a fire extinguisher it will match your needs. There are different types A, B, C, D, ect

A Green Triangle Ordinary solid combustibles A for "Ash"
B Red Square Flammable liquids and gases B for "Barrel"
C Blue Circle Energized electrical equipment C for "Current"
D Yellow Decagon (Star) Combustible metals D for "Dynamite"
K Black Hexagon Oils and fats

 

[aha2988]

we build these at my company, looks like you could've used it that day lol a local volunteer fire department uses this as a brush truck setup they can easily mount in an f250 and uses a foam injector to help suppress fires.

 

[KingPrat]

I was just talking to Keak about this last week. Make sure when you buy a fire extinguisher it will match your needs. There are different types A, B, C, D, ect

A Green Triangle Ordinary solid combustibles A for "Ash"
B Red Square Flammable liquids and gases B for "Barrel"
C Blue Circle Energized electrical equipment C for "Current"
D Yellow Decagon (Star) Combustible metals D for "Dynamite"
K Black Hexagon Oils and fats

There are some ones I'm finding that are automotive specific - good for ABC. Honestly, with how it was when I first noticed, would a fire extinguisher have helped? Maybe...if I had been quick with it. Who knows. But I would like to be in a position right now that I could say definitively!

 

[BlackWorksInc]

That's what I mean, make sure you're getting one that's an ABC or automotive specific, because it makes a difference in price and effectiveness.

 

[KingPrat]

Fits pretty well. Kidde brand, ABC certified.

Now just need some jumpers in the cubby and ill be ready.

 

[ebg18t]

Yep, I know the feeling. In September my Rover spontaneously combusted while we were at work. Just finished installing a new stroked block and custom valved RTE suspension and bumpers.

Before:

After:

 

[WillK]

What else is important in picking out an extinguisher for a vehicle is the size.
A 2.5 lbs. bottle will not be very effective in extinguishing a car fire.


A 5.0 lbs. would be a more effective option. I carry a 5.0 lbs. ABC bottle and a window hammer with seat belt cutter.

Seatbelt Cutter Window Breaker Escape Tool 2 Pack : Amazon.com : Automotive
(I'm not promoting any website, just the product)

I used to carry a 2.5 lbs. bottle, until I had to use one on an active car fire.
It didn't last long, and proved useless. I was experienced in basic firefighting and had just had an active/live fire extinguisher training not even three months before, so I knew how to use it.

 

[jdkilroy]

Unfortunately, the best fire suppressant for car fires is no longer available (Halon), but I carry a 5 lb dry chem A/B/C which I consider a minimum even though not as easy to stow.

Need to make checking the pressure in it a part of your maint routine if you want to be sure it works when you need it; kinda like your spare tire.

 

[tweak]

Fits pretty well. Kidde brand, ABC certified.

Now just need some jumpers in the cubby and ill be ready.

KingPrat, is that side storage standard in your 4R or a mod?

 

[KingPrat]

KingPrat, is that side storage standard in your 4R or a mod?

That's the rear passenger side storage. Standard, unless you have a JBL sub