Is the LP tank cover needed?

[CMSmith]

I have a '75 Tradewind that has, what looks to be, an '80 LP tank cover. The tanks are 30 gallon tanks and I am wondering if I need the cover. Is it there for protection or for aesthetics? I am pulling with a Suburban so there isn't a whole lot that would be able to fly straight at them, plus I am not sure how much protection the thin cover provides anyway. I think that it looks better without the cover than with and that is why I am asking.

[azflycaster]

The covers are for looks only, IMO. They do make it harder to see if a tank has run dry and must be removed to get a tank off to be filled.

Polished aluminum tanks look the best.

[Jim Foster]

One of our trailers has a cover, the other does not. The cover does complicate filling of the tanks, but perhaps the area looks a little neater.

I would not go out of my way to find a cover.

[SteveH]

No, the tank cover is not needed,is only for cosmetics, and in fact, originally Airstream did not cover the tanks.....at least I remember my Dad's first Airstream, a '61, did not have a tank cover.

[vswingfield]

As the others have said, the cover is for looks.

If you don't like it, I'm sure that you can find someone here who would be glad to have it.

[CMSmith]

Thanks. That is what I thought, but I wanted to be sure before I took it off. It just doesn't look right with the big thick blue stripe and different aluminum.

[wahoonc]

It was part of the Excella package for many years. My 1981 has it my 1975 does not. Not required.

Aaron

[crispyboy]

I think it is dual purpose - aesthetics and protecting the rubber hoses from the weather - uv rays etc..... Nice to have it but not a necessity.

[cwf]

might be good place to put 'stickers'?

[airdreamers]

My '85 Sovereign did not have a gas tank cover when I bought it. I am not sure if it had one originally. In the eye of the beholder, I saw other Airstreams with covers on the gas tanks and I liked the look, but not the price to pay for a new one, Whew$$$$$. I waited a number of years and finally I found a cover for the price I was willing to pay. If you decide not to keep the cover put it up for sale in the Air Forums Classified. It will sell quickly with the right price.

[airdreamers]

Originally Posted by cwf

might be good place to put 'stickers'?

What "stickers"?

[cwf]

I was in playful mood. Instead of putting slogan stickers on TV or AS she'll, you could plop them in the tank cover. Really just kidding?!!!!

[Nuvite-F]

I agree that the wrap-around tank cover is mainly cosmetic, but it does provide a safety benefit. Without it, a single-point failure--breakage of the rod that clamps down the LP tanks--could allow your tanks to come off while on the road, a highly undesirable situation. In that eventuality the cover holds the tanks together and keeps them from falling off.

I'm sure that failure of the hold-down rod is not a common occurrence--but it happened to me on our 1980 Caravelle. One morning I was checking the security of the tanks on the "preflight" and discovered that I could lift the clamp and rod right out! It had broken at the bottom end. I think it happened the day before when we hit a humungous bump in the road.
.

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Originally Posted by CMSmith

I have a '75 Tradewind that has, what looks to be, an '80 LP tank cover. The tanks are 30 gallon tanks and I am wondering if I need the cover. Is it there for protection or for aesthetics? I am pulling with a Suburban so there isn't a whole lot that would be able to fly straight at them, plus I am not sure how much protection the thin cover provides anyway. I think that it looks better without the cover than with and that is why I am asking.

Hi, I don't think you will find a tank cover for your 30 gallon tanks, but my tank cover works great with my 30 lb / 7.5 gallon tanks.

[Bruce B]

Originally Posted by Nuvite-F

I agree that the wrap-around tank cover is mainly cosmetic, but it does provide a safety benefit. Without it, a single-point failure--breakage of the rod that clamps down the LP tanks--could allow your tanks to come off while on the road, a highly undesirable situation. In that eventuality the cover holds the tanks together and keeps them from falling off.

I'm sure that failure of the hold-down rod is not a common occurrence--but it happened to me on our 1980 Caravelle. One morning I was checking the security of the tanks on the "preflight" and discovered that I could lift the clamp and rod right out! It had broken at the bottom end. I think it happened the day before when we hit a humungous bump in the road.
.

I am not sure how anyone else's cover attaches but on our Bambi the bottle hold down doubles as the cover hold down too. If it breaks on our Airstream you are down to gravity and regulator hoses.....
Bruce

[vswingfield]

Originally Posted by Bruce B

I am not sure how anyone else's cover attaches but on our Bambi the bottle hold down doubles as the cover hold down too. If it breaks on our Airstream you are down to gravity and regulator hoses.....
Bruce

Just what I was thinking. I guess it would kind of hold them together somewhat.

I personally like the looks of them vs bare tanks.

I've also used mine as a portable workbench on occasion: