Seeing that this is your first post, welcome to iRV2.com. We're glad to have you join us.

Basically you're stuck with either Dometic or Norcold. I've had cooling units fail on both, so it's a toss-up as far as I'm concerned.

Rusty

quote:

Originally posted by RustyJC:
John,

My 5th wheel was purchased in August 2004. My failed Dometic was, I am told, a higher serial number than that covered by the mentioned recall. Therefore, I never received any recall notices.

Since the original poster's 5th wheel is a 2006 model, I would think the same situation would apply.

Rusty

Rusty

You're right. That very well could be the case

John

Heres a LINK to the recall for the Dometic refers because of fires AND heres ANOTHER.
Its been around since last year and consisting of metal shields place around gas burner of refer.
Sorry to hear of your lost but your families safe stuff can be fixed.

I don't want to kick a guy when he's down, and thankfully everyone was O.K., but did the camper have a fire extinguisher in it? You didn't mention it in the original post.

Everyone should take two things from this terrible experience- check your serial numbers against the recall lists and know where your extinguisher is and how to use it.
Make it three things- make sure everyone knows how to exit the camper in case of fire if it is at night while everyone is sleeping.

I'm glad everyone was O.K. Good thinking on getting the propane tanks off and away from the camper.

I read your post last month and was amazed. So sorry for your bad luck. Last week we received a notice of the Dometic recall and our rig IS one of the serial numbers being recalled. I have an appointment Dec 18 for the repair. We are so lucky we have not had a fire like yours. We are leaving Jan 1st for three months in Arizona and I really want this fixed before we leave.

Thank you for your post so everyone can be advised of how clear thinking and prompt action prevented a major grass fire. God bless you and MERRY CHRISTMAS.
Nancy

quote:

Originally posted by NT-man:
I don't want to kick a guy when he's down, and thankfully everyone was O.K., but did the camper have a fire extinguisher in it? You didn't mention it in the original post.

Everyone should take two things from this terrible experience- check your serial numbers against the recall lists and know where your extinguisher is and how to use it.
Make it three things- make sure everyone knows how to exit the camper in case of fire if it is at night while everyone is sleeping.

Good point about fire extinguishers. Our rig came with one right inside the entry door. I added one more in the bedroom and carry another under the back seat of the truck. Thankfully, never had to use any of them. Always check fire extinguishers to be sure they are still charged. Some have gauges, others a push button which should return to position after being pushed. Others have an expiration date.

Original poster's experience is every RVer's nightmare. Glad no one was hurt.

I always keep that kind of equipment aboard again it's better safe then to be sorry and lose the money you spent nad put into a coach and it a real mess to deal with the isurance companys as well... BEst of luck

Merry Christmad to all and happy new year

I replaced the small factory installed extinguisher by the door with a larger one; installed a second one in the bedroom; installed a 10 lb one in an outside compartment that is labled and unlocked; and have one in the cab of the Volvo.

Saw in another thread the other day this description of the fire extinguisher from a delivery walk thru: "that's the fire extinguisher that you run by on your way out of the door!"

Sorry, long overdue on an update. First of all a fire extinguisher is pretty much useless if the fire is already within the walls of the trailer as it was in this case and also the upper venting of a frig. in a slide out is so high that it procludes trying to spray into the wall cavity which in this case was horizontal to the vent itself. Another problem is the intense heat and fumes of the burning plastic vent itselve that makes it hard to direct a fire extinguisher of water to the source or secondary source as it was in this case. A fire investigator examined our trailer and advised that the best thing you an do is get away; he advised that the fire extinguishers were of little value in a trailer fire unless the involvement was something on the inside that you could take care of immediately.
Thankfully after much negotiation we have settled for the full insured amount on the trailer; it is evident that the insurance company (name later) was trying to drag things out in hopes that we would give up and settle for an amount that was far less than the actual value. The value of the contents which is covered under our homeowners policy is yrt to be resolved. Unbelievably after doing some really hard thinking on what we actually had in the trailer the inventory totaled about $22,000; a real shocker but a wake up call for what we keep in our 'other homes' and the need to re-evaluate what we insure our home contents for---folks it really adds up quick especially if you keep expensive fishing gear, clothes, cameras, electronics, etc. in the rig. We have ordered a new fifth wheel,Hitchhiker 32.5FKSBG, that will be built in FEB. an are looking forward to having a new pride and joy back in the family; lots of work thou to get in shape before the next season. I would suggest that you all should review your insurance policys with your respective agents and come to a good understanding of what the exact coverage amounts to and what it takes to process a claim as well as a commitment from your writer as to what extent they will be involved with handleing a claim.
About the most tramatic experience to date and the contents are still to be resolved!
Randy

While it is too bad things took so long, at least things are progressing.

WRT fire extinguishers. A fire extinguisher with a 2A10BC rating means that extinguishers can put out a class A fire totaling 2 sq ft or a class B/C fire totaling 10 sq ft. Remember folks, this is with a calm, cool and collected expert operating the extinguisher. How many of us are calm, cool and collected expert when faced with the anxiety that it is OUR property on fire. 10 sq. ft. isn't a very big area and like Randy mentioned, it would need to be in a completely open area.

If you aren't absolutely positive that you can extinguish the fire immediately with no extension to the walls, my friends, the best fire extinguishers arrive on a big red [well maybe not always red] truck wearing fire protective uniforms. Property can be replaced; lives cannot.