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do I need a locking gas cap

late_bloomer
Explorer
Explorer
Our Dolphin has no lock on the gas tank fill cap. Has anyone ever had a gas thief problem?
I got here as quick as I could.
23 REPLIES 23

path1
Explorer
Explorer
Other reasons a locking gas cap would be handy. Some time ago on this forum somebody accidentally put fresh water into their fuel tank. They didn't use that RV that much and just made a mistake.
2003 Majestic 23P... Northwest travel machine
2013 Arctic Fox 25W... Wife "doll house" for longer snowbird trips
2001 "The Mighty Dodge"... tow vehicle for "doll house"

ferndaleflyer
Explorer III
Explorer III
If you think for a minute that no one will knock a hole in your tank you are nuts.....I have seen it several times. Just like cutting off the catalitic converters.....Saw them cut off of 200 cars in one parking lot one night. Siphoning went out in the 60s----they now use a portable battery powered pump and can get into what you would think is safe tank pretty easy. Don't ever under estimate the abilities of a thief. Even at $2.00 a gallon 20 gal is $40......

Tinyandthegang
Explorer
Explorer
A locking gas cap can be removed quicker with channel lock pliers than you can remove it with the key.

late_bloomer
Explorer
Explorer
Carm wrote:


I'm not trying to insult anyone but many of the questions that people ask on this forum could be answered by simply having a look at your rig.


I could stare at my rig all day, but if I don't ask questions I would miss out on the pleasure of gleaning your wisdom. Thanks for taking the time to reply.
I got here as quick as I could.

Carm
Explorer
Explorer
I'm having a bit of a chuckle reading some of these replies. How many people have crawled around under their motorhome and had a good look at the gas tank and associated plumbing?

Want to siphon some fuel? Go ahead and give it your best shot. On my Bounder there's about 15 feet of plumbing with 3 90's and a 45 bend, the straight sections are steel pipe, the bends are rubber. There is no anti-siphon device because it's simply not needed.

Poke a hole in the tank with a knife? Again, go ahead and try. RV tanks aren't stamped sheet metal like you'd get on your daily driver. I dropped my 80 gallon tank when I changed the fuel pump: it's welded steel and it's heavy. The best knife you've got might scrape some dirt off.

As for drilling a hole in the tank? I would think that anyone dumb enough to consider using a power drill on a full tank of gas would have already removed himself from the gene pool.

Cutting the generator fuel line and siphoning from there: you're assuming a high degree of technical knowledge specific to RV's, which is something most RV owners don't even have.

I've never had a locking cap, in all my years of RV'ing I've never had anyone try to steal gas.

If you have legitimate cause to think that someone might add something to your tank: get a locking cap.

I'm not trying to insult anyone but many of the questions that people ask on this forum could be answered by simply having a look at your rig.
1994 Bounder 32, F53, 460

Harvard
Explorer
Explorer
My locking gas cap was left sitting on top of a gas pump some where on the 2500 miles of Highway 93. My OEM tethered gas cap is still with me.

jrp
Explorer
Explorer
I've never locked my house, my car or my RV and no thefts. I guess it depends on where you park it and how long you leave it unattended.
at the current $2 a gal or less, I wouldn't worry, back when it was $5 a gal it was a concern in some areas.
Jim

wa8yxm
Explorer III
Explorer III
I am of mixed opinions,, I have a broken locking gas cap (Will not lock) on mine, it looks like a locking gas cap so the thieves (In theory) will go to easier pickings.

I have heard of tank/hose punctures but never seen one.
Home was where I park it. but alas the.
2005 Damon Intruder 377 Alas declared a total loss
after a semi "nicked" it. Still have the radios
Kenwood TS-2000, ICOM ID-5100, ID-51A+2, ID-880 REF030C most times

Golden_HVAC
Explorer
Explorer
Look under the RV and see how far apart the filler and the gas tank are. In my case, there is about 10 feet of tubing, and there is no way to get a siphon tube down to the level of the gas.

I have heard of people taking a large knife and puncturing the side of the gas tank, and then use a 5 gallon bucket to collect some of the fuel, with the remaining going on the ground under the RV.

I hope that never happens to anyone, the replacement tank might cost $500+

Fred.
Money can't buy happiness but somehow it's more comfortable to cry in a

Porsche or Country Coach!



If there's a WILL, I want to be in it!



I havn't been everywhere, but it's on my list.

Kangen.com Alkaline water

Escapees.com

cbr46
Explorer
Explorer
Q. - Why drill into the tank when it is far easier to snip the generator supply line?

A. - Because they can't get the last 1/4 tank of fuel.

Just sayin
- bob

J-Rooster
Explorer
Explorer
No, IMHO! I would rather have a thief steal my fuel, then get under my coach with a portable drill and drill holes into the bottom of my fuel tank draining into 5 gallon buckets!

ferndaleflyer
Explorer III
Explorer III
Just like locking a convertible---if they are going to break into it they are going to get what is inside----but if its locked---they cut the top. So just leave it unlocked.....Same with the fuel tank. And if they put something in it---call the insurance company.....Anyway---forget the lock, it isn't worth it.

camper19709
Explorer
Explorer
In 30 years I have never had a problem. "knock on wood".
I would worry about the expensive repair after the locked cap was pried off or the gas tank being punctured.
Chip
06 SurfSide
30ft class A
2 slides
Ford V10 chassis
04 Chevy Astro van toad

Rollnhome
Explorer
Explorer
I wonder how may miles per Collins my rig gets ๐Ÿ™‚
2008 Discovery 40X towing a Jeep Grand Cherokee