Hello,When I went to my 5th wheel in storage recently I noticed that both my propane tank doors were slightly open. The tanks were still there and nothing else was disturbed. My question is the straps holding the tank have provisions for a lock. Is it legal to have locks on the tanks? I know that the compartments aren't supposed to have locks.Thanks!Dave

The propane tank on our Class A has a door with a lock, so no reason not to lock yours. That will keep the opportunist from taking your tanks, but not someone determined.

2manytoyz wrote:The propane tank on our Class A has a door with a lock, so no reason not to lock yours. That will keep the opportunist from taking your tanks, but not someone determined.OP hereYeah I think what happened is some kids that live next to the storage facility were messing around and just opened the compartments to see what it was. All other compartments were locked. I realize that a lock will only keep honest people honest.The storage place has no issues with theft as the owners live on site and know who belongs there. There are multiple security cameras recording everything as well. In a previous storage place someone attempted to steal my awning (Multiple crews were removed) pried open the front compartment and took a bunch of beach stuff stored there and attempted to pry open the door. This happened in less than a week and my 5th wheel was out of there immediately. Dave

2manytoyz wrote:The propane tank on our Class A has a door with a lock, so no reason not to lock yours. That will keep the opportunist from taking your tanks, but not someone determined.I was very surprised to read that your motorhome has a locking propane compartment. I've owned 8 motorhomes and the propane compartment was the ONLY one that didn't have a lock on it. Your motorhome is much newer than ours so I'm wondering if the newer ones now come with a locking compartment. It will be interesting to hear other replies.

I have locks on my tanks but not the compartment doors. For safety reasons, the valves should be easily accessible so they can be shut off if needed.

Propane Compartment doors are NOT suppose to be locked (easy access to service valves if needed)Locking down the propane cylinders is OKTorklift has a really good locking device for dual cylindersFortress Gaslock

Locks on Propane tanks? | Good Sam Community

packnrat
Explorer
Jul 01, 2019
place a good chain and lock through the handles of the tanks and a very secure mount. place the lock behind so not so easy to get to.
think pick and cut resistant in the mounting of the chain/lock. one more layer to overcome. most crooks will just pass it by for a easy theft.
harley4275
Explorer
Jul 01, 2019
By law in both countries, I think , Propane assess doors need to be unlocked.. If you have a TT with 2 -30 lb'ers jusr get a long shank lock and lock the wing nut to the assembly.
dpgllg
Explorer
Jul 01, 2019
JimK-NY wrote:
Who is going to steal a propane tank? They are not worth much to begin with. I got my last 2 for free. They were discarded because they had aged out. I just turned them in at an exchange station.

OP here,

My tanks are 30 Gallon tanks and all of the exchange locations only have 20 gallon tanks.

To purchase an empty tank the cost is $75.00 at Tractor Supply.

Tractor Supply 30 Gallon Propane Tank

$150.00 for two tanks plus the cost of propane is not a small amount of change for me.
wnjj
Explorer II
Jul 01, 2019
JimK-NY wrote:
Who is going to steal a propane tank? They are not worth much to begin with. I got my last 2 for free. They were discarded because they had aged out. I just turned them in at an exchange station.

Tweakers. They want the propane, not the cylinder.
JimK-NY
Explorer II
Jul 01, 2019
Who is going to steal a propane tank? They are not worth much to begin with. I got my last 2 for free. They were discarded because they had aged out. I just turned them in at an exchange station.
Harvey51
Explorer
Jun 30, 2019
RoyF wrote:
My understanding is that propane doors are supposed to be NOT locked so that gas can be turned off in case of fire, even if the occupant is not at home.

And unlocked propane compartments are required on ferries which have a checker who must be sure the bottles are turned off.

No problem padlocking the strap that holds the bottles in place.
jdb7566
Explorer
Jun 30, 2019
time2roll wrote:
Old-Biscuit wrote:
Propane Compartment doors are NOT suppose to be locked (easy access to service valves if needed)
Just about every fifth wheel has propane in the lockable front compartment or lockable side compartments.
I see no reason for public access.

I've owned a half dozen 5ers over the years and not one came with a lockable propane compartment. One could easily modify to a lock if they wanted to do so.
pinesman
Explorer
Jun 30, 2019
When I put new locks on my fifth wheel storage compartments, I added one to the propane compartment door. My rule is whenever the propane is turned on, the compartment is unlocked
RollandB
Explorer
Jun 29, 2019
Vette Racer wrote:
rhagfo wrote:
fj12ryder wrote:
time2roll wrote:
Old-Biscuit wrote:
Propane Compartment doors are NOT suppose to be locked (easy access to service valves if needed)
Just about every fifth wheel has propane in the lockable front compartment or lockable side compartments.
I see no reason for public access.
Neither of our two fifth wheels or two others I'm familiar with have locking doors for the propane access.

X2
Every 5er I have owned or looked at didn’t have locks on the propane access doors.
x3, NO locks!

X4, but I did drill the hold down between the two tanks to lick the wing nut with a long shank Masterlock I had on hand.
cpaulsen
Explorer
Jun 29, 2019
time2roll wrote:
Old-Biscuit wrote:
Propane Compartment doors are NOT suppose to be locked (easy access to service valves if needed)
Just about every fifth wheel has propane in the lockable front compartment or lockable side compartments.
I see no reason for public access.

I have had 4 5th wheels and not one of them had locking doors!

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