Best Fire Extinguisher For RV: 5 Top Options [2024 Guide]

Can you imagine what would happen if there was a fire in your RV and you couldn’t put it out?

Not only would you risk damaging some of your favorite belongings, but you also risk hurting your loved ones, too. It just doesn’t bear thinking about.

The solution, of course, is to get yourself a fire extinguisher for your RV. We’ve been checking out some of the best fire extinguishers for RVs on the market today, and are going to review our top 5 favorites for you here very shortly.

But, if you’re not too familiar with fire extinguisher functionalities, choosing one for your RV can be tricky, so we’ve also put together a buying guide for you that will walk you through some of the key things to consider before you buy.

You can use it as a handy little checklist.

Then we’re going to top that off with a section where we answer some of your most frequently asked questions on the subject of fire extinguishers for use in an RV.

Let’s get straight to it! In a hurry? Here’s our Number One pick:

Best Fire Extinguisher For RV

1. Amerex Dry Chemical Fire Ext inguisher – B417T 

Now, this was an easy favorite for us. This particular fire extinguisher comes from what we regard as THE best brand in the industry – more on that in our buying guide a little later.

Unlike other brands, Amerex has had no product recalls for at least the last 10 years.

Whereas most fire extinguishers you can get are 5 pounds in weight or more, it was something of a rare find to spot this one. At just 2.5 pounds, it’s easily small and compact enough to keep in your RV for vacation time. 

But that’s not all that makes it such a great pick for use in an RV – it comes with its own vehicle bracket.

It’s classed as an ABC fire extinguisher, which means it can put out fires of: general combustible materials, such as wood, plastic and cardboard, combustible liquids such as oil and gasoline, and electrical fires.

It’s rechargeable, which means it can be made safe to use again and again, just by taking it to a certified technician. And it’s well-built to boot, using all-aluminum components, such as the valve, the pin, and the trigger. 

It’s not a cheap item by any means, but we would argue that it’s very competitively priced for a fire extinguisher of such good quality.

And the customer ratings on this beauty are phenomenal – it’s super reassuring to go for a fire extinguisher that has had a full 5-star rating with the leading online retailers, especially after so many individual customer ratings.

Pros:

  • Very compact at just 2.5 lbs
  • Affordable & competitive price
  • It comes with a vehicle mount
  • Puts out Class A, B, and C fires
  • Phenomenal customer ratings

Cons:

  • Fire stations in some states no longer refill these free of charge & you may have to go to a fire supply store and pay for a recharge

2. Buckeye 13315 ABC Multipurpose Dry Chemical Hand Held Fire Extinguisher

Buckeye 13315 ABC Multipurpose Dry Chemical Hand Held Fire Extinguisher with Aluminum Valve and Vehicle Bracket, 2.5 lbs Agent Capacity

Here we have another really great fire extinguisher. It may not come from our all-time favorite brand, but this brand comes pretty close – it’s a brand that we trust, and a brand that you can trust too.

It’s classed as an ABC fire extinguisher, which means it can put out fires of: general combustible materials, such as wood, plastic and cardboard, combustible liquids such as oil and gasoline, and electrical fires.

Again, it’s a very nice size for use in an RV at just 2.5 pounds, and that has made it a popular choice for use in vehicles, including in RVs.

Rather than being made with several plastic components, we’re happy to confirm that on the Buckeye 13315, the handles, valve and pin mechanism are all made of good quality metal.

It has a really good discharge time of 9 seconds, and has a great range, coming in at an impressive 15 feet.

But the real stand out feature of this particular fire extinguisher is the really nice, sturdy metal mounting bracket that also comes in the box.

It’s rechargeable, which means it can be made safe to use again and again, just by taking it to a certified technician. 

It’s priced at a very similar price point to the Amerex fire extinguisher we showed you earlier, but you may decide you prefer this one because of the superior metal mounting bracket.

It’s customer ratings with the leading online retailers haven’t been quite as impressive as with the Amerex models, but they’re not far off.

Pros:

  • Very compact at just 2.5 lbs
  • Affordable & competitive price
  • Superior metal mounting bracket
  • Puts out Class A, B, and C fires
  • Rechargeable for continued use

Cons:

  • Fire stations in some states no longer refill these free of charge & you may have to go to a fire supply store and pay for a recharge
Sale
Buckeye 13315 ABC Multipurpose Dry Chemical Hand Held Fire Extinguisher with Aluminum Valve and Vehicle Bracket, 2.5 lbs Agent Capacity
  • ABC dry chemical is a multipurpose extinguishing agent that is suitable for use on Class A, Class B and Class C fires
  • Anodized aluminum valve assemblies for superior strength and corrosion resistance
  • Vehicle brackets for extended unit service life
  • Color-coded gauges show operating status at-a-glance
  • Measures 3-3/8-inches diameter by 4-8/7-inches width by 14-3/4-inches height

3. FIRST ALERT Recreation Vehicle Fire Extinguisher

First Alert REC5 Recreation Fire Extinguisher, UL Rated 5-B:C, White, 1-Pack

Now, this is a fire extinguisher that has been specially designed for use in an RV. 

It’s suitability for an RV comes down in part to it’s very compact size. At just 12.3 inches tall and 4.3 inches wide, it’s significantly smaller than say a 2.5 pound fire extinguisher, and will take up minimal space in your RV where space is precious.

It’s classed as an ABC fire extinguisher, which means it can put out fires of: general combustible materials, such as wood, plastic and cardboard, combustible liquids such as oil and gasoline, and electrical fires.

It’s rechargeable, which means it can be made safe to use again and again, just by taking it to a certified technician. And there’s a color coded gauge to let you know when it needs a recharge.

It’s corrosion resistant and built to really last, with a metal pull pin, complete with a safety seal that works to prevent and discourage tampering and accidental discharge.

There’s a waterproof label emblazoned on the front, with easy to read and easy to follow instructions on how to use it in an emergency situation.

It comes with phenomenal customer ratings, having earned a full 5-star rating with leading online retail giants such as Amazon. And that’s after well over 4,000 individual customer ratings.

It comes from a brand that we like and trust, even if it’s not quite as impressive as the Amarex.

But the real stand out feature of this model is just how affordable it is, a fraction of the price of some of the other models that were handpicked for our shortlist.

If you decide to go for this one, please make sure you select the right box on the product page, since there’s also options on the product page for boat and car fire extinguishers.

Pros:

  • Designed for use in an RV
  • Bargain affordable price tag
  • Puts out Class A, B, and C fires
  • Rechargeable for continued use
  • Phenomenal customer ratings

Cons:

  • The mounting bracket is plastic rather than metal
  • Fire stations in some states no longer refill these free of charge & you may have to go to a fire supply store and pay for a recharge
Sale
First Alert REC5 Recreation Fire Extinguisher, UL Rated 5-B:C, White, 1-Pack
  • Rechargeable REC5 Recreational Fire Extinguisher is UL rated 5-B: C and has a durable metal head, and is ideal for use in your RV
  • Designed to fight flammable-liquid and electrical fires; Uses sodium bicarbonate extinguishing agent
  • Bracket included for secure placement of fire extinguisher, designed to meet the demanding needs of travel.
  • Metal pull pin with safety seal to help prevent accidental discharge and discourage tampering
  • Corrosion-resistant, easy-to-read, color-coded metal gauge; Waterproof label with simple instructions

4. FIRST ALERT Designer Fire Extinguisher

First Alert DHOME1 Rechargeable Standard Home Fire Extinguisher, UL Rated 1-A:10-B:C, Pewter

Ok, so this is also a great little fire extinguisher. It comes from a brand that we like and trust and consider to be reliable, First Alert.

Unlike the First Alert fire extinguisher we showed you in our previous review, this one has been built for home use rather than for use in a vehicle.

However, at just 2.5 pounds in weight, we feel that it’s compact enough for use in an RV. It measures just 15 inches in height and 4 inches in diameter. 

It’s classed as an ABC fire extinguisher, which means it can put out fires of: general combustible materials, such as wood, plastic and cardboard, combustible liquids such as oil and gasoline, and electrical fires.

It’s rechargeable, which means it can be made safe to use again and again, just by taking it to a certified technician. And there’s a color coded gauge to let you know when it needs a recharge.

It’s corrosion resistant and built to really last, with a metal pull pin, complete with a safety seal that works to prevent and discourage tampering and accidental discharge.

There’s a waterproof label emblazoned on the front, with easy to read and easy to follow instructions on how to use it in an emergency situation.

Again, it’s a fire extinguisher that has been met with excellent customer ratings and reviews with the leading online retail giants. An average customer rating of a full 5 stars is no mean feat – especially after so many individual customer ratings.

It’s available at an excellent, easily affordable price, and the price includes a mounting bracket to keep the unit safe and secure.

Amazon occasionally has deals on this particular fire extinguisher, simply click on “check price” to see if there happens to be a deal on now.

Pros:

  • Very compact at just 2.5 lbs
  • Bargain affordable price tag
  • Puts out Class A, B, and C fires
  • Rechargeable for continued use
  • Phenomenal customer ratings

Cons:

  • Fire stations in some states no longer refill these free of charge & you may have to go to a fire supply store and pay for a recharge
Sale
First Alert DHOME1 Rechargeable Standard Home Fire Extinguisher, UL Rated 1-A:10-B:C, Pewter
  • First Alert DHOME1 fire extinguisher is UL rated 1-a: 10-b: C and features durable all-metal construction with a commercial-grade metal valve and trigger; the designer Pewter Color matches modern home designs
  • Multipurpose fire extinguisher fights wood, paper, trash, plastics, gasoline, Oil, and electrical-equipment fires
  • Uses monoammonium Phosphate extinguishing agent; rechargeable by certified professionals after use
  • Metal pull pin with a safety seal to help prevent accidental discharge and tampering; corrosion-resistant, easy-to-read, color-coded metal gauge; waterproof label with easy instructions
  • U. S. Coast guard–approved for marine use

5. H3R Performance MX250R Fire Extinguisher

H3R Performance MaxOut Dry Chemical Car Fire Extinguisher - 2.5 lb. Red(MX250R)

If you have a little bit more money to spend, however, this high performance fire extinguisher may well catch your eye.

As the name of the device suggests, this is very much a high performance model, and that is why it attracts a greater price. It has twice the power of smaller fire extinguishers.

It’s small and compact enough for use in an RV, seeing as it’s only 2.5 lbs.

It’s classed as an ABC fire extinguisher, which means it can put out fires of: general combustible materials, such as wood, plastic and cardboard, combustible liquids, such as oil and gasoline, and electrical fires.

It’s rechargeable, which means it can be made safe to use repeatedly, just by taking it to a certified technician. It has a long discharge range, up to a generous 15 feet. And it’s of top-notch quality, made with high-quality steel cylinders, and with an all-metal valve construction.

It comes with a two-strap mounting bracket for truly secure mounting and positioning.

It comes backed with a lengthy 6-year limited manufacturer’s warranty, which is good to know.

If you find the asking price a little steep, you can take advantage of the opportunity to pay in monthly installments upon approval for the Amazon Rewards Visa Card.

Pros:

  • Superior quality & performance
  • Very compact at just 2.5 lbs
  • Puts out Class A, B, and C fires
  • Rechargeable for continued use
  • Backed by a 6-year warranty

Cons:

  • Premium product at a premium price
  • Fire stations in some states no longer refill these free of charge & you may have to go to a fire supply store and pay for a recharge
H3R Performance MaxOut Dry Chemical Car Fire Extinguisher - 2.5 lb. Red(MX250R)
  • Up to 15 feet of range
  • Rechargeable
  • Rated for Class A, B, and C fires
  • Monoammonium phosphate extinguishing agent
  • High quality steel cylinders

Buying Guide

As promised, here’s your buying guide. Here, we’ll lay out some of the key things to consider before you buy.

Small & Compact

In an RV, space is at a premium, and one of your foremost thoughts will surely be about how much space your new fire extinguisher will take up.

And with this in mind, we recommend getting a fire extinguisher that’s about 2.5 pounds. This works out at about 15 inches in height and 5 inches in diameter.

Class ABC Fire Rating

Fire extinguishers can have up to 5 different types of fires that they can put out. The most common type is the ABC extinguisher, and is the type that we recommend for your RV.

An ABC fire extinguisher can put out fires of: general combustible materials, such as wood, plastic and cardboard, combustible liquids such as oil and gasoline, and electrical fires.

Quality Components & Materials

You need a good quality fire extinguisher, and that means no aerosol ones – they don’t cut it.

And you should look for reliable all-metal components in the pins, handles and valves. This is a sign of true quality. (There are a lot of cheap wannabes out there.)

Rechargeable

Although you can get disposable fire extinguishers, we prefer rechargeable ones. Not only are they less wasteful, but they also happen to be of a better, sturdier build. 

If you get a rechargeable one, ensure that it has a pressure gauge, so you now when you need to get it recharged.

Mounting Bracket

Fire extinguishers typically come complete with mounting brackets, but seeing as it’s for your RV, you might prefer to get yourself one of those specialized brackets designed to fit onto a car seat. They’re both easier to use and easier to install.

Brand

If there’s any scenario when brands matter, it’s with fire extinguishers. And that’s because there are brands out there who’ve had to recall their stock due to dangerous issues.

For us, the top most trustworthy brand has to be Amerex, and that’s reflected in our shortlist of top 5 fire extinguishers for your RV, with Amerex right at the very top.

Customer Reviews

Occasionally, a customer review for a fire extinguisher will describe how it has performed when it was actually needed, and this can provide very important information about whether it’s any good and how easy it is (or isn’t) to use in an emergency situation.

This can really help you to gauge whether it’s good value for money. This leads us nicely onto our next section.

Value For Money

Now, for those who don’t already know, fire extinguishers can really vary in price. They start from as little as circa $25 for a cheap one, and can go up to as much as circa $300.

That’s why it’s so important to do your homework by reading articles like this one, and to check the prices as you go along.

That way, you can learn what your money buys you, so you can make a good, well-informed decision about how much your budget should be.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best fire extinguisher for an RV?

We would argue that the best fire extinguisher for an RV is our Number One pick, the Amerex Dry Chemical Fire Extinguisher – B417T. Why? Because it comes from one of the most trusted and reliable brands in the industry.

It also comes at a nice size for an RV and is available at a very reasonable and competitive price for a fire extinguisher of such good quality.

It’s classed as an ABC fire extinguisher, which means it can put out fires of: general combustible materials, such as wood, plastic and cardboard, combustible liquids such as oil and gasoline, and electrical fires.

And it’s rechargeable, which means it can be made safe to use again and again.

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