|
|
06-10-2010, 09:39 AM
|
#1
|
Rivet Master
1984 34.5' Airstream 345
Foothill Ranch
, California
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 4,695
|
Keeping your Gas safe... Anyone got a locking cap?
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!
|
|
|
06-10-2010, 02:56 PM
|
#2
|
Rivet Master
2011 34' Classic
Westchester Cty.NY
, / Miami FL
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,122
|
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 :-(
__________________
Ricky
2012 F150 Super Crew 5-1/2' bed Ecoboost 4x4 3.73 elec. lock diff. Propride hitch
give life. kidney & pancreas transplant 9/9/06
Ingrid-my unofficial '"World's Oldest Streamer" 1909-2008 R.I.P.
|
|
|
06-10-2010, 03:35 PM
|
#3
|
Rivet Master
2006 19' Safari SE
Tucson
, Arizona
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,627
|
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...
__________________
TB & Greg and Abbey Schnauzer
AirForums #21900
PastPrez, 4CU/WBCCI
|
|
|
06-10-2010, 03:49 PM
|
#4
|
Rivet Master
Las Vegas
, Nevada
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 626
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Keyair
What is to stop someone helping themselves to $250 of my gas?
|
A 9mm should work.
|
|
|
06-10-2010, 05:46 PM
|
#5
|
Rivet Master
1984 34.5' Airstream 345
Foothill Ranch
, California
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 4,695
|
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!
|
|
|
06-10-2010, 07:12 PM
|
#6
|
3 Rivet Member
1977 31' Excella 500
plano
, Texas
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 128
|
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
|
|
|
06-12-2010, 08:47 AM
|
#7
|
Rivet Master
1989 34.5' Airstream 345
Silverton
, Colorado
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,102
|
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...
__________________
Michael & Tracy
1989 345 Motorhome
CHARTER MEMBERS: FOUR CORNERS UNIT, AND PROUD OF IT!!!
We live for the moment, 'cause when you get there, it's gone...
|
|
|
08-13-2010, 08:28 AM
|
#8
|
Rivet Master
1989 34.5' Airstream 345
Jamestown
, Kentucky
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 577
|
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 !!!
|
|
|
08-13-2010, 09:16 AM
|
#9
|
banjobill
2000 30' Limited
battle ground,
, Washington
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 516
|
progressive insurance
okay, so take a rider out JUST for the fuel tank, fuel and any cosmetic damage ne'rdowells may cause.
|
|
|
08-14-2010, 06:19 AM
|
#10
|
4 Rivet Member
2012 31' Classic
1999 36' Land Yacht Widebody
Andalusia
, Alabama
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 476
|
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
|
|
|
08-14-2010, 07:22 AM
|
#11
|
4 Rivet Member
1977 25' Tradewind
Waskesiu Lake
, Saskatchewan
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 394
|
Over the gas door, just put a decal that says "sewage access"... would you try to siphon from that?
__________________
Every home needs a dog, and every dog needs a home.
1977 25' Tradewind (with two ... three... FOUR dogs)
2011 Ram 1500 Quad cab, 5.7 Hemi, tow pkg.
|
|
|
08-14-2010, 11:09 AM
|
#12
|
Rivet Master
1984 34.5' Airstream 345
Foothill Ranch
, California
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 4,695
|
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!
|
|
|
11-17-2010, 07:34 PM
|
#13
|
Rivet Master
1984 34.5' Airstream 345
Foothill Ranch
, California
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 4,695
|
Walmart...
$5 for a 2 pack!
|
|
|
11-17-2010, 07:42 PM
|
#14
|
3 Rivet Member
2016 30' Classic
Sammamish
, Washington
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 119
|
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.
|
|
|
11-17-2010, 07:51 PM
|
#15
|
3 Rivet Member
2016 30' Classic
Sammamish
, Washington
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 119
|
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.
|
|
|
11-18-2010, 09:06 AM
|
#16
|
Rivet Master
1981 27' Excella II
mays landing
, South Jersey
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,179
|
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.
|
|
|
11-18-2010, 04:08 PM
|
#17
|
Rivet Master
2000 31' Land Yacht
Central
, Florida
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,489
|
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
|
|
|
11-18-2010, 04:57 PM
|
#18
|
3 Rivet Member
1979 29' Ambassador
Mobile
, Alabama
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 154
|
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
|
|
|
08-31-2011, 11:56 AM
|
#19
|
Rivet Master
2000 31' Land Yacht
Central
, Florida
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,489
|
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.
|
|
|
08-31-2011, 02:18 PM
|
#20
|
Rivet Master
2007 30' Classic
Oswego
, Illinois
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 13,669
|
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!
|
|
|
|
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
Recent Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|