In today's Seattle Times this photo of a burning truck and trailer caused by the truck overheating.

Vantage, WA is the crossing point of the Columbia River on I-90, which is the main interstate East/West in Washington State.

On either side of the gorge that the Columbia has carved there are steep grades to make it back up to the surrounding elevation.

From the looks of this photo, the driver didn't pay attention to his truck's temperature nor did he take proper corrective actions.

Glad no one was hurt.

Red

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2005 Titan KC SE, Helwig, True-Track, ARE MX Canopy

Whoa! Looks like an old Ford...

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haha...I was going to write that too!

Hope everyone was OK, that's one scary sight for us towing travel trailers.

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Wahoo

I'm going out on a limb on this but I'm willing to suggest that this is the result of a combination of factors. It doesn't look like a case of overloading, the trailer doesn't seem to be that big. Older truck, overheating and hot temperatures this past weekend. I'd guess maintenance was the root cause. The radiator is older, maybe a little plugged, possibly not filled to the top nor adequate anti-freeze. Older radiator cap might let the radiator boil over prematurely. Maybe an old hose blew?

Just guesses, but to me it is a reminder of how important routine maintenance is to proper performance. Towing puts a big load on the truck and all the more reason to maintain it right.

Like I said, I'm out on a limb. For all I know a vehicle ahead of it kicked up a stone and poked a hole in the radiator.

Red

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2005 Titan KC SE, Helwig, True-Track, ARE MX Canopy

First time I've ever heard of a overheated vehicle catching on fire, Hmmmmm.

thats really funny cuz i saw that and thats was what i was going to say

I once followed a 5th wheel in BC going down a mountain. The burning brakes were something to smell, however when passing (I was on a motorcycle) I noticed that the roters were glowing red hot.

I've seen something similar here in Phoenix, and it was an old Ford! Burning like h3ll right along side the freeway! The owners were watching the fire department spray the thing down, and running around and flapping their arms. The thing that upset me was that they stopped traffic on the freeway.

I bet they stopped traffic because of the real concern over the fuel tank, or propane tanks exploding.

I attended a seminar on RVs yesterday and the fire marshal who was discussing fire issues with RVs said " Unless you can disconnect the Tow Vehicle from the trailer in 15seconds, you stand a big chance of losing both!" That may have been an exaggeration, but its a real possibility.

Red

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2005 Titan KC SE, Helwig, True-Track, ARE MX Canopy

15 seconds sounds about right lol, doesnt take long to burn through a propane hose

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