Compact, affordable fire extinguisher for the truck?

Looking to add one to the truck

what's the best way?

I have an Element E50 but it's one time use, gas, and for sensitive parts
otherwise for stuff like camping if a fire breaks out, a general purpose cheap little extinguisher seems good to have

I saw one or 2pack at Costco but the problem is, it's huge. 5LB.
Space is already at a premium in these small trucks, not to mention if you already have other arguably-necessary components stored.

maybe I should look for a small kitchen or garage one, and then figure out how and where to mount it
trying to keep it as cheap as possible; extinguisher itself I think will run around $22; I see Amazon has a 1lb

2.5-3lb seems like it could be a good balance,
but I also don't have real world experience using small extinguishers to know exactly how long they last, how big a fire they can put out, etc.

 

Motor trend channel also advertises this one quite a bit….. Never expires
Element E50 Fire Extinguisher Combo with Quick Fist Mount

$90 Element E50 Fire Extinguisher Combo with Quick Fist Mount

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BS5BQ9BB

 

Here is where I have one in my tacoma, don't have pics of other cars locations. And yeah I've used one before. 4th of July watched a guy light the side of his garage on fire with fireworks and a bbq.

 

I did this method but just made mine for my extinguisher no flashlights/accessories. I have a 10lb though because I get them for free.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/diy-hi-lift-and-tool-mounts.260147/

 

check out element extinguishers, little pricey but small, and they do not need maint.

 

I have an E50 it is not for campfires

 

Element appears to not do much according to this video:

https://youtu.be/dCaPUYKs5Zc

and this one:

https://youtu.be/MAjlLscIizI

 

I believe you should get one abc rated. Biggest you can fit taking into consideration the lack of space thing. I haven’t seen a refillable one in awhile but I’m sure they still exist. 5lb is a bit big, 2-3 is probably good, 1 maybe too small.

Look at the mount. It should be secure but not impossible to remove. I think the metal mounts are better. I’ve seen plastic ones wear out quickly.

Once in awhile, look at it. Make sure the needle is in the green and the seal is intact. If your seal weathers away, whatever you use to hold the pin in, make sure you can get the pin out by hand.

DO NOT TEST IT. Once you spray, even a little, it’s considered spent.

 

Elements are cool but no way in hell I would trust one in a wind storm. Watch the videos. An ABC will destroy electronics so I mount a BC and mount it in the bed. If the truck in on fire the first thing to do is get OUT so why frog around in the cab for the extinguisher? And if I'm trapped after an accident with fire threatening the cab I sure as hell want others to be able to get the extinguisher from the bed to put out the fire.

 

I keep a 2.5 lb 1A10BC on a Refined Cycle P/N FM2-K25a mount using the front passenger seat bolts:



For wheeling/camping trips I bring a second 2.5 lb 1A10BC extinguisher in the gear bin (together with a booster pack, first-aid kit, tire plug kit, duct tape, zipties, fluids...)

 

The experience of a couple of my friends is that "others" can get to and will, remove extinguishers from the truck bed, but not to put out fires........

 

5lb purple K in the bed.

Used it once on a car fire and it worked great. Replaced it so it's ready for the next one.

 

Unless you have a tonneau or cap with a locked tailgate, then a cab-mounted extinguisher is faster to access.

 

5lb co2.

 

Thanks for this pic!!! Seeing this pic made me go ahead and pull the trigger on this, and their flashlight holder. They’ve been in my cart for a while now.

 

this is why i wanted a side opening canopy on my truck, but mines in front of my passenger seat and a 2nd in the back

 

I am looking at non-conductive extinguishers like PKP (Purple K) and Halotron to carry with me in the Taco and the classic cars. Do any of you have experience with the Halotrons? My local safety store recommended them since Halon is no longer available except in high end, permanent race applications. Halotron is damn expensive and I don't know what, if anything is better than a PKP.

Any thoughts from those of you who run extinguishers?

 

I don't think a Class C (electrical) only nonconductive extinguisher agent is necessary or appropriate for automotive use. There are many far less expensive BC options and the Class B component is for oil, grease, and fuel which IMO is necessary for automotive use. I stay away from ABC because the A components can ruin any electrical and electronic components you save from the fire. Plus it's hard to clean up.

 

Purple K, good stuff there and expensive. Or at least it was before I retired. We had two 3,000 lbs skid units along with a couple of our foam pumpers that were set up with Purple K, each with hydro-chem nozzles. Purple K also went great with the Thunderstorm 1x3 foam we used.