My Burro is Gone, my Roo is damaged, guess I'm in a tent.

[MikeCM]

Thank God none of us were in it. I was getting ready to pack for a weekend away with the boy scouts. My son came home and said Dad the Burros on fire call 911.

First thing I did was shut off and disconnect the Propane, and run away with the tank, my wife called the fire department. The rest is history, nothing left.













Anyone want to attempt a frame up restoration?

[Raya]

Oh Mike, that is just awful! I'm *so glad* that you are okay, but it's still heartbreaking to see your wee Burro like that.

Raya

[Chester Taje]

Have you got any idea what caused that?

[MikeCM]

Have you got any idea what caused that?

The fire started at the fridge, or near to it. First flames were visible through the fridge vents.

[MikeCM]

Oh Mike, that is just awful! I'm *so glad* that you are okay, but it's still heartbreaking to see your wee Burro like that.

Raya

Thanks Raya. The Burro can be replaced, at least no one was hurt.

[Chester Taje]

The fire started at the fridge, or near to it. First flames were visible through the fridge vents.

This past winter while i was in Arizona I saw at least 4 Motor Homes that had bad fires. One not to far from me had blown up. No one in it at the time, they had left for the day.

Sorry about your loss.

[Joy A]

Wow, that's something.

Sorry about your trailer, glad everyone is alright.

[Gina D.]

wow. I am so sorry!

[Robin G]

Mike, Yes Thankfully no one was in it. I am sorry for your loss. (didn't you just buy it recently? May be someone else who recently purchased a lil one to go along with their big one) but no matter what it's very sad. Thanks for the pics.


I have seen many pic's of rv's that have gone up in flames but never thought I would see an egg. I figured more damage on the inside leaving a burned out hull. Wowser that it burned like that.

[Roger H]

Scary stuff! Glad no one was hurt... but it's still sad!

Roger

[Darnelle]

Sorry your family had to go through that. Glad no one was hurt.

[Roy in TO]

My condolences.

[peterh]

I'm very glad no one was hurt and very sad that your adventure tow toy was destroyed. I know if my trailer burned up I'd be devastated.

You are so right: Propane is scary.

Usually I create detailed how-to posts for the projects I do, but when I added a propane-powered Wave 3 catalytic heater recently I didn't even take pictures of my progress. Unlike most handyman projects -- even those where 110v AC power is concerned -- there's a lot of room for learning as you go, lots to learn from your mistakes, and most anyone with basic handyman skills can take the plunge.

Not so with gas piping: there is one right way and any other way is dangerously wrong. Our trailers add an extra dimension to that: they wiggle and vibrate as we tow them down the road, creating ample opportunity for a pipe joint that was air-tight when it was soap-tested to wiggle just enough to cause a leak, with the unhappy results you've just seen. Or worse. I don't want to give anyone the idea that it's a project they can learn to do right.

I am very glad no one was asleep in the trailer, and hope you find a replacement you love.

[Lee Senn]

Roger My condolences for your loss. It would be heartbreaking to lose one's egg. My wife and I are going all electric due to concerns about the propane situation ( I do realize that this doesn't eliminate the fire problem but in my mind it lessens it, although that is probably a false sense of security ). We cook inside with an electric skillet and microwave ( most campgrounds we stay in have electric hookups ) and heat with a small electric heater. Any propane cooking is done outside under the EZ up on a portable gas grill. Again so sorry for your loss but really thankful that no one was hurt and that the fire apparently did no damage to your house. Lee

[Frederick L. Simson]

The fire started at the fridge, or near to it. First flames were visible through the fridge vents.

I am so sorry for your loss. I had a close call with a fridge fire but nowhere near what you've experienced.

My fridge is chillin' right now on propane in the back yard in preparation for our weekend trip tomorrow. Now I'm worrying...

[Raya]

Not so with gas piping: there is one right way and any other way is dangerously wrong. Our trailers add an extra dimension to that: they wiggle and vibrate as we tow them down the road, [b]creating ample opportunity for a pipe joint that was air-tight when it was soap-tested to wiggle just enough to cause a leak, with the unhappy results you've just seen. Or worse.

Do we know it was a pipe joint and not something in the refrigerator's burner/gas innards themselves? I use propane, so naturally I'm curious. Of course obviously it's a problem no matter what caused it.

I wouldn't encourage anyone to do their own propane work if they were not comfortable with it; however, conversely, I have found leaks that have developed in professionally installed lines, so that's not a guarantee either. It's good to test with a mixture of water and a small amount of soap. Also, propane lines should either be well secured to a non-flexing substrate, if rigid, or flexible (like hose) where they might move. So rigid pipes and joints should not be moving (if they are obviously there is a problem).

On boats there are commonly "gimballed" propane stoves. This means that the stove swings back and forth constantly as the boat moves (so the stove stays level). The connections at the stove are made with flexible lines. Then the rest of the lines (which are also on the boat, which typically is moving and slamming around), are more rigid (tubing) but are secured.

So many people use propane and don't have problems; but it is scary when something like this happens, that's for sure. It's probably not a bad idea for many of us to check over our systems, since time can take a toll.

Raya

[Pam Garlow]

Sorry to hear about your burro! And just as the camping season was starting too. What damaged the Roo - heat from the fire or was there a small explosion or something?

[james kent]

Oh my! I'm sorry to see that. These little trailers almost become family.

[Terry R.]

How did you have the presence of mind to take a picture while it was burning? I probably wouldn't have even thought of the propaned tank needing to be removed.

Sorry for your loss. If you are like us, not only would we lose the trailer, but also 35+ years of camping gear. Some of that, we were just plain used to and it can't be replaced with the same thing.

Good luck on your journey to replacement.

[Jake]

How did you have the presence of mind to take a picture while it was burning? I probably wouldn't have even thought of the propaned tank needing to be removed.

Sorry for your loss. If you are like us, not only would we lose the trailer, but also 35+ years of camping gear. Some of that, we were just plain used to and it can't be replaced with the same thing.

Good luck on your journey to replacement.

Oh Mike, first, I am SO glad to hear that NO one was hurt!
Additionally, I am so sad to hear of the loss of your Burro, and damage to the Roo!
Wow, I am just getting attached to my Burro, and can only imagine the awful feeling!

I do hope the Roo is fixable for you, and wish you all the best!
Regards, Jake.