2021 Duramax 3500 High Country Burned Down

Jeeebz · August 1

New to the this forum but a seasoned vet on others. I’m posting to see if anyone else is having brake issues after the TSB for the brakes on the 3500 L5P. If not to keep an eye out. Long story short, we just finished a 12 day camping trip up the coast of California. On the last day we headed home which is 4 hours away pulling our 5th wheel. (2023 Momentum 395M). 30 minutes from home, We were getting on the interchange and noticed some clear white smoke corresponding with my break pumps. On the third pump I lower my trailer breaks thinking it was set too high cause of the steep grades. Pumped again and that’s when I got a steady white smoke. Pulled over right away and inspected to find fluid leaking in front of the driver rear tire and a small fire. First thing I do is shut off the truck. Run around and get my wife out of the truck so we can kids and dogs out. As I turn around my 4 year is strapped in his car seat with flames all up the rear door and back glass. It happened so slow and fast at the same time. All I could think about is that glass breaking and the oxygen sucking the flames in and watching my son burn to death in front of my eyes and I can’t do a damn thing. I did indeed get him out and the family in to the trailer. We were stuck in what I call the kill box now. It’s 2 major freeways that interchange in to a 2 lane highway with at least 1/4 of concrete barrier on both sides with no turn outs not too much further up. We were lucky to stop where we where. We tried to put out the fire out with 4 extinguishers between the truck driver, tow truck driver and myself with no anvil. At this point I have to either get my family out of the trailer or unhook and try to drive off. Well ….. we were able to unhook. Jumped in the truck knowing turning on the fuel pump was a terrible idea. The thought of my family sitting on the upper deck on top of 2 propane bombs under them just gave me the push I needed to commit. Turned her on and floored it. The truck had exploded with me in it. I still remember seeing the flames all around, the heat and smoke in the cab. I was able to exit the vehicle after that excess fuel to burn off. I suspect that the initial fire started on the passenger rear and moved to the driver rear. As there are tire stamps from the right rear some something hot, melting or leaking for over 80 feet. Where I stopped first. You could see that it was leaking where the tires would be. Puddle is wet on the right side and the left is burned.

if fuel was leaking, there would be a fuel burn line or fire. This is what I think happened but we will have to wait and see what the experts say. We are very fortunate that there were no injury or fatalities. Insurance company has taken custody of the truck and investigation is pending. I only have 17k left on the loan and had 15k of parts and labor in to it. Mods were as follows. 35x12.5 wrapped on 20” Fuel Triton wheel, K&N drop in filter, S&B 62 gallon fuel tank, Retrax hard roll up bed cover, B&W 5th wheel hitch and custom mudflaps. All I know is that I almost lost my family, trailer and truck that I’m most likely going to lose on. 3500 was purchased certified used last June around 14,000 miles and burned down last Thursday with about 16k on it. Now the adrenaline and shock has worn off. The anger and ptsd is kicking in. We wouldn’t have gotten out with our skin suits with out the help of the kings if all kings …God, the 2 Good Samaritan and our great first responders. In the end of the day I have my family and health and thankful for that. I’ll be posting my outcome, as soon as I hear back and case is closed.