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Keyair · 06-10-2010, 09:39 AM

I realized yesterday, that the gas flap does not lock on my 345...
What is to stop someone helping themselves to $250 of my gas?

Simple way would be to buy a locking gas cap, but looking at the flap, has anyone put a lock of some type on theirs?

Yes, indeed, what is up with putting a lock on the Fresh Water inlet flap, but not on the Gas Flap!

richinny · 06-10-2010, 02:56 PM

the water door lock is to keep folks from filling the water tank with gas ;-)

is the bottom of the fuel tank exposed? the latest way to siphon, is to drill a hole in the bottom of the tank :-(

TBRich · 06-10-2010, 03:35 PM

When we had our small motor home (not an AS)...we were concerned about someone stealing our gas, too... We put a locking gas cap on the gas tank ... it would be easy for someone to drain you dry and you wouldn't even know it until you decided to go somewhere... I locking gas cap is probably easier and "cleaner" than putting lock on the "flap" ... Just make sure it fits properly...

345bill · 06-10-2010, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keyair

What is to stop someone helping themselves to $250 of my gas?

A 9mm should work.

Keyair · 06-10-2010, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 345bill

A 9mm should work.

Yes, If I could see straight... I prefer what my buddy carried... a 12 gauge with rock salt in the cartridge!

tschat · 06-10-2010, 07:12 PM

If someone wants to steal the gas, I would prefer for them to siphon it out the fill tube versus puncture a hole in the tank so I have to replace it. Sort of like why I don't lock my truck... windows are expensive and there is nothing in my truck.

-t

ScrapIrony-2 · 06-12-2010, 08:47 AM

One would only have to detach the gas line from below to get a steady stream of fuel...
rock salt would be better, as it wouldn't spark...

John H. · 08-13-2010, 08:28 AM

I purchased a New pair of Tumble Locks from Camping World this past winter

I replaced the original one on the fresh water fill door and the other I fitted to the fuel door so that I have matching Keys. 2 new matching Locks !

Works Fine and keeps the fuel door from coming open Un expectantly !!! was my main concern !!!

wmarsha · 08-13-2010, 09:16 AM

okay, so take a rider out JUST for the fuel tank, fuel and any cosmetic damage ne'rdowells may cause.

Robfike · 08-14-2010, 06:19 AM

Our 1986 345 has locks on both the fuel and water fill doors. They are just the small quarter turn types. When we got our 345 both of the outside basement lockers were missing their locks. I just went to a local lock smith shop and got two locks. The ones on the fill doors are the same type.
I would feel real uneasy having either of the fill doors not locked.
Rob

kevin242 · 08-14-2010, 07:22 AM

Over the gas door, just put a decal that says "sewage access"... would you try to siphon from that?

Keyair · 08-14-2010, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kevin242

Over the gas door, just put a decal that says "sewage access"... would you try to siphon from that?

I like that one!

Keyair · 11-17-2010, 07:34 PM

Walmart...
$5 for a 2 pack!

PJohnson · 11-17-2010, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keyair

Yes, If I could see straight... I prefer what my buddy carried... a 12 gauge with rock salt in the cartridge!

I like the 12 gauge but I much prefer buckshot 00.

PJohnson · 11-17-2010, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by richinny

the water door lock is to keep folks from filling the water tank with gas ;-)

is the bottom of the fuel tank exposed? the latest way to siphon, is to drill a hole in the bottom of the tank :-(

As Ricky said, the prefered method of stealing gas is to drill a hole in the bottom of the gas tank using a cordless drill. It is fast, you don't get gas in your mouth and the can under the vehicle is much less visible. For those of you that smoke, if you notice a pool of liquid under your vehicle's gas tank, please don't lite up.

noreen&sal · 11-18-2010, 09:06 AM

had my tank drilled in the 70s first fuel shortage. had 150 gallons siphoned out of my semi in the 80s in Maine 2nd or third shortage. 10-4 on the buckshot.

DaveFL · 11-18-2010, 04:08 PM

My plasic gas door is flexible enough that when I don't have a key handy I can just bend the door the small amount to have it open. Just another cosmetic security device. I probably should find the "sewage access" sign for real protection.LOL

79nTOW · 11-18-2010, 04:57 PM

About twenty years ago friends drove a Winnabago to a Mardi Gras parade. Arriving at the parade the owner switched the caps between the gas and black tank. Several hours later when everyone got back to leave they saw on the sidewalk a siphon hose, gas can and cap. It was obvious what had occurred. over the years it has become one of those "do you remember when" stories.

Predeta

DaveFL · 08-31-2011, 11:56 AM

I liked the idea of pulling a small sign, diesel only. If they can read and want gas maybe they will go elsewhere, if they want diesel and can't smell the difference, nice to know they will need a new motor too. Sure beats putting a lock on and having them punch a hole. Maybe the signage should also be under the MH after all they are lowlifes.

dznf0g · 08-31-2011, 02:18 PM

I know this thread is for older motorhomes, but I though I'd add smoething here for TV owners who suddenly realize they think they need to do something on their truck.

Since 1996 and OBD II, the cap is an integral emmission control device, so replacing it with aftermarket COULD cause evap codes to appear.

I forget what year....but the feds started to require anti spill roll over devices in th fuel fill neck. You can't get a siphon tube past these devices inless it's very small in diameter and even then it's frustratingly difficult. So a lock is really unnecessary.

That's why, lock or not, the trend with thieves is just to punch a hole in your tank with an ice pick and drain it into a jug or pan.

Now we're back to the 12 guage!