DOESN'T ALWAYS HAPPEN TO THE OTHER GUY

[jackel1959]

Well today I was getting the rig ready for our Thanksgiving trip next week and went to check the propane. Much to my surprise, when I opened up the left front compartment there was no propane tank. After checking the other side and seeing the tank there I quickly came to the conclusion that some POS (thanks for the abbr. Butch) had stolen the tank. It didn't take me long to remove the other tank and secure it in the garage. So after I gathered myself and calmed down, I called the Sheriff's Department to file a report and luckily had the serial number of the tank (not that it will do any good).

We live on a quiet street and good neighborhood with the rig parked on a pad close to and in view from the house. So tomorrow I will get a new tank, but not put it back in the compartment until we are ready to hit the road.

So here is my question to all of you. It has been my understanding that it is against DOT regulations to lock the propane storage compartments because of safety reasons. So short of doing that, which I am not against, has anyone come up with another way of securing their propane tanks against the scourge that roam our neighborhoods?

I am also in the process of looking for new storage compartment locks that will not be the standard key that just about every RVer has. Does anyone have a suggestion on these?

Thanks in advance,
Jack

[hunts800]

On mine, you can out a padlock on the metal strap which holds the tank in place.

[bobcat92]

I lock the metal strap with a lock. There is a loop on it so it can be locked. I was concerned about theft. Sorry to hear you had in issue.

[Overlord]

I replaced all of my CH751 locks (everyone that has a trailer has a key that will open these locks) on the rig with tubular key locks. I also replaced each of the propane door levers with a tubular lock as well, all keyed alike of course. I added another hole in each door for one of the original non-locking levers.

When the rig is parked at home, the propane doors are all locked. When travelling, the locks are not in use and the door is held shut with the one regular non-locking lever in the hole that I added in each door.

You can get them at many places, I got mine from these guys >> www.ch751.com

[DQDick]

Pretty sure I got mine from Amazon.

[Phil P]

Hi

Combination bicycle locks. The ones that are on a cable I use them for securing a whole list of things like the steps, propane tanks, carry out satellite dish etc.

Then Like Overlord I changed all of my key locks except for the main entrance door. On the main entrance door I had a very nice looking stainless steel Medco lock installed that commonly is used on boats.

The propane tank doors have the original latch on them but the tanks are secured by a bicycle lock. The only thing in the 2 propane compartments not secured is the 20lb fire extinguishers, one on each side.

Phil P

[CORattler]

I replaced all CH751 locks on my rig with keyed alike barrel locks that I bought from CW. I also replaced all non locking door latches with the same type locks. To heck with DOT on this one. You ever hear of anyone being cited for this? DOT won't pay to replace stolen tanks.
There is always a safety consideration that only you can decide what is best for you & yours. JMHO

[Emmel]

Using a lock on the strap is a great idea.
That said, however, changing out the 751s is your money. A simple screwdriver will eliminate the use of a different key. When I deliver campers, it amazes me the number of folks that did not know the keys are all alike. I don't even bother telling them any more because they then get scared that someone will just walk up with their key and get in their compartments. Getting the longer tabs will also cause a thief to do more damage to the compartment doors prying them open.
I guess if some thief wants in my compartments, I'd rather he have a key instead of doing damage to the doors.

By the way, that's MHO.

[DHenry]

Jack, sorry to hear that your LPG tank has been pilfered but it does look like you are getting good advice from the members here on the forum.

[Mrs. CountryGuy]

Replacing locks has been discussed a time or two, and if it makes you comfy, then, by all means go there.

Personally, I think even the loss of a propane tank is cheaper and easier to fix than to replace a door that the bad dude has pried open and ruined. Those doors are not cheap and replacements for older units are not that easy to procure. We had several replaced due to delam. Special order, etc.

[1retired06]

You can snap that door open with a screwdriver or almost any key. I padlock ours which then requires a little more effort to cut the metal strap around the tank.

[jackel1959]

Thanks to all of you for your "sage" advice. I am not seeing as much RED this morning as I was yesterday, so I can think a little more reasonably. I will be replacing the tank today from CW. They have them on special for $63.00. After that, the padlock(s) on the strap is a viable and inexpensive fix.

I have considered changing the outside locks ever since we got the rig 4.5 years ago because everyone has the same key. Having said that though, in all of our travels and leaving the rig parked here at home unattended, we have not had an issue to date. I will continue to think that one over. You, the members that have responded to this thread, point out some very good pros & cons to doing or not doing this.

Thanks again,
Jack

[richfaa]

This the first time I believe that I have heard of a propane tank being taken from the compartment. The dirt bag had to be specifically looking for a tank. I have never understood that you can not lock the compartment door but can lock the tank in place. That defeats the purpose of no lock on the door.

Changing locks is a waste on money as it takes little mote than a finger nail file to open a compartment. Like Steve I have shocked fellow RV'ers when I opened their compartment doors with my 751 key.

[jlb27537]

Hi Jack, My previous RV was broken into twice. I understand your being upset.

They took the windshield out, crawled in over the dash, took all the electronics, opened the door from the inside and off they went. How do you protect yourself from folks like that.

My 14 has the 751 locks on the front compartment doors and really nothing of high value in there. The side compartments have the slam latches so they are keyed different.

I bought a set of 4 keyed alike locks and have the LP tank straps secured with 2 of them. The other 2 move around as needed. It is really handy to have 4 alike, finding the right key is much easier.

In this economy, it is only going to get worse. If they want it, they will find a way.

Rich, the logic on the LP door is not to secure the bottles, but to allow anyone the ability to reach the valve on the tank and turn it off if need be. (in case of fire) Look at motorhomes. The compartment the tank is in does not have a lock on it. DOT only requires access to the valves.

Jim

[BB_TX]

First time I have heard of a propane tank stolen, although I often look inside the doors of mine just to make sure they are still there.
The padlock on the strap is the best idea. The little tubular locks on the doors do little more than keep nosy people out and honest people honest. I had my basement broken into while in storage, both sides, and stuff stolen. They apparently used a screwdriver or similar object, but left just very small marks where they pried them open. The locks were still in the locked position, tabs slightly bent.

[Phil P]

quote:Originally posted by richfaa

This the first time I believe that I have heard of a propane tank being taken from the compartment. The dirt bag had to be specifically looking for a tank. I have never understood that you can not lock the compartment door but can lock the tank in place. That defeats the purpose of no lock on the door.

Changing locks is a waste on money as it takes little mote than a finger nail file to open a compartment. Like Steve I have shocked fellow RV'ers when I opened their compartment doors with my 751 key.

Hi

My insurance will pay for the damage to the trailer and pay for the lost contestants provided I can prove the door was locked.

With the OEM locks you are correct they can be opened with a screw driver or some similar type of tool without damaging the door.

However if I can’t prove it was locked then my insurance don’t want to hear about it.

So the barrel locks are in place they are pined so they can’t be turned in the hole and the tabs that lock the door are long enough so they can’t be forced open without damaging the door.

When it happens it becomes the insurance company’s problem not mine.

The insurance company calls this “due diligence” without it your insurance company has many loop holes to use.

Phil P

[jimcol]

Phil, Just curious. What kind of deductable are you carrying? Jim

quote:Hi

My insurance will pay for the damage to the trailer and pay for the lost contestants provided I can prove the door was locked.

With the OEM locks you are correct they can be opened with a screw driver or some similar type of tool without damaging the door.

However if I can’t prove it was locked then my insurance don’t want to hear about it.

So the barrel locks are in place they are pined so they can’t be turned in the hole and the tabs that lock the door are long enough so they can’t be forced open without damaging the door.

When it happens it becomes the insurance company’s problem not mine.

The insurance company calls this “due diligence” without it your insurance company has many loop holes to use.

Phil P

[Emmel]

Phil P, like Mrs. Country guy says, if they damage the doors, can you find the correct replacement doors, your unit is now 4 years old and finding them may be getting harder. Insurance or no insurance!

[jsmitfl]

I installed a eye bolt in the frame, inside the gas bottle compartment. I then opened the eye bolt a tad to slip the cable lock it to it. I closed it back up and now my cable goes thru the handle of the tank. I used the ones that use combinations, that way I don't have to keep track of the key's. I used the 3/8" cables.

[Phil P]

jimcol

That depends on what coverage you are talking about.

My collision is the maximum allowed in Florida $500.

My comprehensive is $50

Going up on the comprehensive doesn’t change the premium but a very few dollars. Going up on the collision changes the premium a lot.

I am not an insurance adjuster or agent so I may have some of the terms wrong.

My rate is high because I have contents declared value of $30,000 because of the model trains my wife caries in the basement.

Emmel

I damaged my front door to the generator compartment with the fork lift. Then again with the truck tail gate. Keystone refused to sell me a door. So I decided to repair it.

After removing the door from the trailer I find them easy to fabricate from common aluminum stock, Formica counter top and Styrofoam.

I had my favorite aircraft sheet metal man(now deceased)make me one. Cost $50 including the frame and you can’t tell it from the original. I have since damaged it again but didn’t damage the frame so all I did was caulk the crack in the Formica so water wouldn’t get in.

Phil P