Their towed caught on fire, they didn't catch it. A passing vehicle alerted them but it was too late. Watch what happens when they open the coach's door. Anytime the fire fighters take a hose INTO the coach, it's not going to end well...DennisToad caught on fire

That is awful. What could have caused the toad to catch on fire?

Dragging toad supplemental brakes would be my guess.

rgatijnet1 wrote:Dragging toad supplemental brakes would be my guess.A good reason to always check the aux. brakes before starting out. We pull the emergency cable out and check to hear the alarm in the RV so we know all is OK. I feel so sorry for those people - a nice looking M.H. destroyed.

Ouch. That will not buff out. Sad, but it sounds like the owners were reasonable about it - things happen. As long as no one was hurt things can be replaced.

Sad day for these folks in Alabama | Good Sam Community

15 Replies

2gypsies1
Explorer III
Oct 27, 2018
Can't tell if the car got a blown tire but if it did, a rear camera most likely wouldn't show it. Ours didn't; the fenders were in the way of the camera. (That's when we bought a TPM system) So if they road on the rim for a while a fire could have started.
rgatijnet1
Explorer III
Oct 27, 2018
Monkeyman_and_Lady wrote:
Maybe I'm better off with a tow dolly. Thought a Toad would be easier...but maybe this makes me think different.

Doesn't the tow dolly have brakes, that could potentionally drag?
BobsYourUncle
Nomad
Oct 27, 2018
Very sad situation to lose such a beautiful coach and the toad like that. Most important thing is that they got out ok.

It would be interesting to know why it caught fire. As mentioned, these things just don't go poof for no reason.
I wonder if there will be any follow up posted once they determine what went wrong.
wa8yxm
Explorer III
Oct 27, 2018
Video would not play so can't watch what happens...

One of the many reasons I tow with Rear View Camera on and big (25 pound) Fire Extinguisher where I can grab it swiftly and 2nd one (total of 3 between me and the door at any given time 4 if I'm in the bedroom)
IB853347201
Nomad II
Oct 27, 2018
Odd they didn't see the fire right away in their rearview camera?
Monkeyman_and_L
Explorer
Oct 27, 2018
Maybe I'm better off with a tow dolly. Thought a Toad would be easier...but maybe this makes me think different.
newman_fulltime
Explorer II
Oct 27, 2018
Just a few days ago a emergency respond expadition here that was new burst into flames while going out on a call.. Does ford have a problem again

I wish somebody would come up with a emergency quick release for these situations I have seen to many coaches go up because couldn't get the toad unhooked.
Bruce_Brown
Moderator
Oct 27, 2018
I wonder who may or may not have miswired the Expedition. Normally they just don't go "poof" for no reason.
Halmfamily
Explorer
Oct 27, 2018
I watched this live on Facebook the other morning. The Class A is six months old and the Expedition was less than a month old. The owners took it all in grace telling the reporter there goes $600000 For the coach and $70000 for the Expedition, both insured.

Per the owners the fire started in the front of the Expedition. They tried to unhook but the fire was too hot, did get one side unhooked.

They were headed to Jacksonville, FLA from Louisiana.
dodge_guy
Explorer II
Oct 26, 2018
Well that sucks! Looks Like everyone is safe.
Not that it matters but what were they towing? It looks like a Lincoln either a Navigator or MKX (Explorer).

Hopefully they didn’t lose anything sentimental?