Jeep toad catches fire on interstate 15 in the Cajon pass

Bumpyroad wrote:

J-Rooster wrote:

msturtz wrote:

J-Rooster wrote:
There was another RV related fire yesterday (8-18-16) on I-5 Federal Way, WA. State (between Seattle and Tacoma). A Class C RV driving S.B. on I-5 at 60 MPH rear ended a Red Toyota sedan (traffic came to a complete stop but the RV didn't stop) the Toyota was pushed under a large box truck. The fuel tank exploded on the Toyota and the people in the Toyota were trapped inside there car. Six brave people (other motorist) stepped up pulling there fire extinguishers out and got the fire out! The two people in the Toyota had to be cut out of the wreckage and were injured but alive. The Class C RV driver was citied by the Washington State Patrol for causing the accident.

I would hazard a guess that the Class C driver had not installed brakes on the toad! It makes a huge difference in stopping distance.

I totally agree with you! And the aftermath three vehicles that he caused severe damage too because he didn't want to put a braking system on his towed!

where does it mention a toad?
bumpy

There are certain opinions that are stated as fact and should be left as an opinion. Easily solved; the Class C was just following too close.

dub

J-Rooster wrote:

msturtz wrote:

J-Rooster wrote:
There was another RV related fire yesterday (8-18-16) on I-5 Federal Way, WA. State (between Seattle and Tacoma). A Class C RV driving S.B. on I-5 at 60 MPH rear ended a Red Toyota sedan (traffic came to a complete stop but the RV didn't stop) the Toyota was pushed under a large box truck. The fuel tank exploded on the Toyota and the people in the Toyota were trapped inside there car. Six brave people (other motorist) stepped up pulling there fire extinguishers out and got the fire out! The two people in the Toyota had to be cut out of the wreckage and were injured but alive. The Class C RV driver was citied by the Washington State Patrol for causing the accident.

I would hazard a guess that the Class C driver had not installed brakes on the toad! It makes a huge difference in stopping distance.

I totally agree with you! And the aftermath three vehicles that he caused severe damage too because he didn't want to put a braking system on his towed!

where does it mention a toad?
bumpy

msturtz wrote:

J-Rooster wrote:
There was another RV related fire yesterday (8-18-16) on I-5 Federal Way, WA. State (between Seattle and Tacoma). A Class C RV driving S.B. on I-5 at 60 MPH rear ended a Red Toyota sedan (traffic came to a complete stop but the RV didn't stop) the Toyota was pushed under a large box truck. The fuel tank exploded on the Toyota and the people in the Toyota were trapped inside there car. Six brave people (other motorist) stepped up pulling there fire extinguishers out and got the fire out! The two people in the Toyota had to be cut out of the wreckage and were injured but alive. The Class C RV driver was citied by the Washington State Patrol for causing the accident.

I would hazard a guess that the Class C driver had not installed brakes on the toad! It makes a huge difference in stopping distance.

I totally agree with you! And the aftermath three vehicles that he caused severe damage too because he didn't want to put a braking system on his towed!

J-Rooster wrote:
There was another RV related fire yesterday (8-18-16) on I-5 Federal Way, WA. State (between Seattle and Tacoma). A Class C RV driving S.B. on I-5 at 60 MPH rear ended a Red Toyota sedan (traffic came to a complete stop but the RV didn't stop) the Toyota was pushed under a large box truck. The fuel tank exploded on the Toyota and the people in the Toyota were trapped inside there car. Six brave people (other motorist) stepped up pulling there fire extinguishers out and got the fire out! The two people in the Toyota had to be cut out of the wreckage and were injured but alive. The Class C RV driver was citied by the Washington State Patrol for causing the accident.

I would hazard a guess that the Class C driver had not installed brakes on the toad! It makes a huge difference in stopping distance.

Well .. tire temperature sensor and engine fire sensor are not the same.
My 1972 conversion had 2 fire sensors in engine compartment with loud bell under driver feet.
Why Jeep can't do it in 21 Century?
Home security systems do have water sensors for WH leak, so the idea of extended monitoring is nothing new.

Kayteg1 wrote:

I think asking TPMS manufacturers about adding fire sensor would not be out of line?

The better TPMS's already have temperature sensing and alarm capability. If my TST monitor indicates an over temperature alarm on a given wheel, I'm for darn sure going to pull over ASAP and check it out. It's only happened once so far, for a sticking brake caliper on a previous toad, but I was happy to get the warning and be able to fix the problem before any damage was done.

Most engine compartment fires are electrical caused. I'm going to guess this one had something to do with either the toad braking system, or the towing light system.

Jeeps are able to be towed 4-down. Ours was for 8 years. The front tire is flat on this one - we don't know if the fire caused it or if the flat caused the fire.

Years ago we were driving and alongside us was a car doing the frantic, dreaded pointing. We pulled over and sure enough the Jeep's tire was just about off. We were riding on the rim. We couldn't even feel a difference in towing with the flat with so much power from the motorhome.

Immediately we got a tire pressure monitoring system with sensors for all tires - motorhome and Jeep. Naturally, never had another incident. :)

That reminds me other, famous toad fire from about decade ago.
Don't remember the state, but elderly driver did not notice flat on his toad, not did he react to horns and other drivers waving.
The toad rim was sparking and cost several brush fires for long distance till State Police blocked the motorhome.
The State billed the driver with few million dollars fire fighting cost.
Did not hear if the state got paid.
I think asking TPMS manufacturers about adding fire sensor would not be out of line?

Mile High wrote:

Bumpyroad wrote:

RoyB wrote:
You almost have to think it is four wheels down towing related... I've never owned an automatic transmission Jeep but always had the manual transmission with transfer case that can disable the front and rear drive shafts...

Used to pull one of those alot in the past...

Roy Ken

I'm pretty sure that that was the fella that came on here the other day and asked, "I want to tow my Jeep with auto transmission and the owner's manual and manufacturer say NO but if I drive slow and am careful I think it will work , doesn't somebody here agree with me?."
bumpy

I'm pretty sure all Wranglers - all years - can be towed flat, regardless of the transmission. Mine is automatic and it stays in Park during tow.

Here is another article with some more pics Jeep fire

[COLOR=]SARCASM ALERT
EDITED for clarification :)
bumpy