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03-06-2014, 05:52 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Omaha
Posts: 162
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How to secure my propane tanks?
One of my propane tanks disappeared over the winter and the other one is empty. My guess is someone is borrowing them. They borrowed the first one, drained it and is now working on the seconded on. Hopefully, they'll return the seconded one before camping season. I would rather pay for the refills, than have to buy a new one as well and fill it. A 30 pound tank will cost me over $100 to purchase, initialize and fill.
Anyway, I don't want to make a habit of this, so I would like to secure my tanks. I've been looking at high quality bicycle chain/locks. Kryptonite makes very high quality chains that can't be easily cut without power tools. I can chain the two tanks together, but what will keep someone from unscrewing the top and just taking both tanks?
I'm sure that I'm not the first to have tanks stolen. Anyone have any suggestions?
Thanks.
__________________
Daryl Rose
2018 Ram BigHorn EcoDiesel
2012 272RK Outback
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03-06-2014, 07:06 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Austin, Tx
Posts: 1,910
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I've never had a theft on the trailer, but I did have an attempt while overnighting at a truck stop. Fortunately my two Yorkies are light sleepers and they can get very loud when they are wakened abruptly. That buys me enough time for my 1911 to take over.
The reality is that given enough time, a thief can cut through anything. The idea is to make it so inconvenient and time consuming to steal your stuff, that they will move on to an easier target. I think that the majority of thefts are crimes of opportunity and that your average dirtbag isn't walking around with a tool box and a set of bolt cutters.
I chained my tanks together with 1/4" link chain and a heavy padlock. I did the same with my battery.
If you store your trailer in a remote location, this may or may not help much, but I think any defense is better than no defense. Lights that work on motion sensors are cheap. So are audible alarms, even if they aren't monitored.
I feel your pain. I have had vehicles broken into and stuff stolen including GPSs and a tailgate off of a new truck and there are few things that makes you want to hurt someone more than having something stolen or damaged that you have worked for, and my sense of humor about this is less than stellar to begin with.
__________________
2011 Outback 277RL
2013 F250 XLT Crew Cab 6.2L
Bitter Gun Owner
Bitter Clinger
Armed Infidel
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03-06-2014, 07:14 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: WESTERN,CT
Posts: 2,095
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IF YOU can take them with you and keep them at home. but any deterant will help if there are other units that are a better target than yours. hope you get your tank back.
__________________
BARNEY AND CHRISTINE
2010 MONTANA 3750FL
2005 DODGE 3500 DUALLY TD
2 RESCUE PUPS: SUSITNA AND CRYSTAL. RIP ALYESKA!
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03-06-2014, 07:17 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Central San Joaguin Valley, CA
Posts: 2,117
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I feel your pain. I have had vehicles broken into and stuff stolen including GPSs and tailgates and there are few things that makes you want to hurt someone more than having something stolen or damaged that you have worked for, and my sense of humor runs out very quickly.
Bob -
An individual I once worked with told me "Man, It don't matter! If that dude has enough money to own an RV, then you know he has insurance."
Needless to say, I kept my eye on that guy. Sad story - but true.
To the OP - I put padlocks on my hold down straps.
__________________
Jack & Marty
2018 Laredo 298 SRL
2011 F-250 SB Crew Cab 4x4 6.7L
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03-06-2014, 07:37 AM
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#5
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Site Team
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Gaylord
Posts: 26,996
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Part of the "keep it secure" aspect is to make the security measure visible so a thief will keep walking to the next "easy target" When we had travel trailers with open access to the tanks and battery I used a cable lock to secure the two tanks through the holes in the bottom of the tanks with a figure 8 around the trailer tongue. As for the battery, a cable lock around the welded battery tray and around the battery box. It could be pushed to the edge of the box, but it took a lot of time to wiggle it over. I never lost a tank or battery, but I had a padlock through the two screw clamps on my outboard and somebody sawed the swivel handle off one of the clamps and took the outboard. So, no matter how hard you try or how secure you think it is, if a thief is determined........
__________________
John
2015 F250 6.7l 4x4
2014 Cougar X Lite 27RKS
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03-06-2014, 09:25 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2012
Location: North Florida
Posts: 1,241
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I chained mine together as well to try and make it harder to take them. It wouldn't stop a determined thief though.
__________________
2006 Keystone Hornet 29RLS (The Cracker Cabana)
2009 F-250 SuperDuty CC 6.8L/4.10 (The Black Pearl)
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03-06-2014, 01:37 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: IL
Posts: 352
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I cable mine also with a padlock.
__________________
2010 Kestone Laredo 291TG
2006 Dodge Megacab CTD
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03-07-2014, 05:30 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: MA
Posts: 3,153
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I am sorry to all who have had things taken, anything missing for me would leave a void. My question, are most of your trailers in storage somewhere or on a seasonal site? Are your units parked in your yard and people are coming onto your property. Just curious as my trailer is just out my back door but I do not have anything locked onto it. Thanks
__________________
2013 Premier 31BHPR
2014 F350 6.2L
Soon to be just DW and I
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03-07-2014, 08:08 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Central San Joaguin Valley, CA
Posts: 2,117
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I haven't lost anything (knock on wood). Our trailer sits on our property and it is locked, the x-chocks are locked, the propane tanks are locked, and there is a lock on our surge protector and king pin - But, then again, I live in California.
__________________
Jack & Marty
2018 Laredo 298 SRL
2011 F-250 SB Crew Cab 4x4 6.7L
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03-14-2014, 04:11 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Omaha
Posts: 162
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GaryWT
My question, are most of your trailers in storage somewhere or on a seasonal site?
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I have to store mine in at a storage lot. My neighborhood doesn't allow people to keep their campers at their homes.
Quote:
Originally Posted by JRTJH
I used a cable lock to secure the two tanks through the holes in the bottom of the tanks with a figure 8 around the trailer tongue.
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I finally had an opportunity to stop by my camper and I see how this can work. I think that this is what I am going to try. I can purchase a high quality cable work it between the tank handles and the frame and then secure with a high quality lock.
Thank you everyone for the reply's.
__________________
Daryl Rose
2018 Ram BigHorn EcoDiesel
2012 272RK Outback
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03-14-2014, 04:23 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: po dunk
Posts: 113
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These are some nice locks, you pull the cable tight then lock so they fit tight to anything.
-Jeff
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01-08-2018, 11:16 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Sacramento
Posts: 187
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My two 30-gal tanks walked off while my trailer was sitting on a pad next to my driveway in a residential neighborhood. I cabled and locked the replacement tanks but then an RV tech explained an alternate theft prevention method. Flatten one of the two steel "wings" that are welded to the hold-down nut, then bend it back up at about the halfway point. Drill a hole through the flat part of that wing and a corresponding hole through the U-shaped steel bar with notches that secure the tank flanges. Crank everything down, line up the holes and install a padlock with a long shackle and lock 'em up tight.
__________________
Number 4: 2013 Hideout 19FLBWE
Number 3: 1994 Skyline Nomad 1661
Number 2: 1971 Santa Fe
Number 1: 1967 Shasta Airflyte
2015 F-250 Lariat 6.2L CC 4x4 3.73
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01-08-2018, 11:23 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: po dunk
Posts: 113
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A picture is worth a thousand words.
- Jeff
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01-08-2018, 12:13 PM
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#14
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Site Team
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: W. Texas
Posts: 17,690
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Number 4
My two 30-gal tanks walked off while my trailer was sitting on a pad next to my driveway in a residential neighborhood. I cabled and locked the replacement tanks but then an RV tech explained an alternate theft prevention method. Flatten one of the two steel "wings" that are welded to the hold-down nut, then bend it back up at about the halfway point. Drill a hole through the flat part of that wing and a corresponding hole through the U-shaped steel bar with notches that secure the tank flanges. Crank everything down, line up the holes and install a padlock with a long shackle and lock 'em up tight.
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I did this on mine and I believe others have as well. Don't have to flatten and bend anything. Just drill the hole in the flat portion of the wing and a corresponding hole through the U shaped notched bar. Slide a long shank padlock thru it and you're done. Beats the heck out of the chains and padlocks I was using. Just finished pulling one out to refill and replaced a few minutes ago - SO much easier.
__________________
Danny and Susan, wife of 56 years
2019 Ram 3500 Laramie CC SWB SB 6.4 4x4 4.10
2020 Montana High Country 331RL
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01-08-2018, 12:20 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Bragg Creek
Posts: 636
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Quote:
Originally Posted by unyalli
a picture is worth a thousand words.
- jeff
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+1 !
Funny how stuff just sprouts feet and walks away.
.
__________________
2016 Bullet 1800RB, UVW 3260, led by a 2005 Chev Silverado Z-71 1500, Crew Cab, 5.3L, 4WD, Tow & Off Road Package with 4.10 Rear Axle, GVR 7000 lbs, Front GWAR 3925 lbs & Rear GWAR 4000 lbs., Payload 1600 lbs., Hellwig 6012 Air Bags. 97' Honda Goldwing GL1500.
Home Base is the Alberta Foothills at 4300 ' ASL.
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01-08-2018, 03:34 PM
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#16
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Site Team
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Gaylord
Posts: 26,996
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Quote:
Originally Posted by unyalli
A picture is worth a thousand words.
- Jeff
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hodgy
+1
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There are as many ways to complete this mod as their are lock styles and drill sizes, but this is the way it was illustrated in a recent Trailer Life Magazine.
NOTE: A long shank padlock would work just as well as this "cylinder/rod lock".
__________________
John
2015 F250 6.7l 4x4
2014 Cougar X Lite 27RKS
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01-08-2018, 05:43 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Texas
Posts: 1,090
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JRTJH
There are as many ways to complete this mod as their are lock styles and drill sizes, but this is the way it was illustrated in a recent Trailer Life Magazine.
NOTE: A long shank padlock would work just as well as this "cylinder/rod lock".
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The problem with this, at least for my setup is the rod is just attached with a nut on the bottom... easily removed.
I guess it might slow them down enough to be noticed, but no guarantees.
Fortunately I have never had anyone mess with my trailer... "this is a neighborhood - This aint no residential district" /Richard Prior
-Brian
__________________
2014 Bullet Premier 22RBPR - let the camping commence!
2013 F150 Platinum - 5.0 - 3.55 ELD + towing package
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01-08-2018, 06:30 PM
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#18
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Member
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: plano,texas
Posts: 70
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rosede
One of my propane tanks disappeared over the winter and the other one is empty. My guess is someone is borrowing them. They borrowed the first one, drained it and is now working on the seconded on. Hopefully, they'll return the seconded one before camping season. I would rather pay for the refills, than have to buy a new one as well and fill it. A 30 pound tank will cost me over $100 to purchase, initialize and fill.
Anyway, I don't want to make a habit of this, so I would like to secure my tanks. I've been looking at high quality bicycle chain/locks. Kryptonite makes very high quality chains that can't be easily cut without power tools. I can chain the two tanks together, but what will keep someone from unscrewing the top and just taking both tanks?
I'm sure that I'm not the first to have tanks stolen. Anyone have any suggestions?
Thanks.
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It might be a pain for you, but I would suggest just taking them home with you while your rig is in storage. A thief is going to get it if he wants it no matter lock or not.
__________________
2017 raptor 398ts pulled by a 16 Chevy Silverado HC 3500 dually with a Duramax
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01-08-2018, 07:55 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Oregon
Posts: 783
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Here is my set-up....
__________________
Jeff & Jan - Retired & Full-timing since 2013
2019 Ram Big Horn 3500 Aisin 4x4
2012 Alpine 3450-RL
Double Coin 235/75R-17.5/16 J rated 125lb
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01-08-2018, 08:18 PM
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#20
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Site Team
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Modesto
Posts: 20,341
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Quote:
Originally Posted by B-O-B'03
The problem with this, at least for my setup is the rod is just attached with a nut on the bottom... easily removed.
I guess it might slow them down enough to be noticed, but no guarantees.
Fortunately I have never had anyone mess with my trailer... "this is a neighborhood - This aint no residential district" /Richard Prior
-Brian
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The rod is threaded into the base on pretty much all the LP trays. Allows for one tray and the choice of rod length for different size cylinders. I would think you could use some thread locker to further slow somebody down.
__________________
2012 Copper Canyon 273FWRET being towed by a 1994 Ford F350 CC,LB,Dually diesel.
Airlift 5000 bags, Prodigy brake control, 5 gauges on the pillar.Used to tow a '97 Jayco 323RKS.
Now an RVIA registered tech. Retired from Law enforcement in 2008 after 25+ yrs.
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