Fuel tank locks

[Lin]

My welding job was all finished up today, so I rushed over to buy some fuel before the price went up again.  I just drove by car down and up California and did not see any diesel for less than $4.00.  The one by my house here must be one of the last around since they are selling it at $3.99.  Well 75 gallons and $300. makes me think that since I am using unprotected parking, it's like leaving jewelry  in the street, so I have been thinking of adding a lock to the fuel tank.  The easiest would be to use a cam lock, but I was wondering if anyone had any other ways they handle it.

[Hi yo silver]

Lin,
The way they accomplished it on my Custom Coach conversion is to install a lock that takes the same Ford key as the entry door and all the baggage doors.  I'm not a lock expert; all I can tell you is that there is a square bolt, measuring about 1/4 ", or maybe 5/16" on each door.  The local charter company I drove for years ago took the same approach for the entry doors on their buses.

Dennis 

[HighTechRedneck]

The problem with a camlock on the fuel door is that most fuel thieves carry a pry bar and can quickly overcome a small lock and do a lot of body panel damage in the process.  I suppose a person could create a fuel door and frame around it out of heavy steel, but I'm not sure that could be done in a way that would look nice.  Maybe something could be built of heavy steel that would go behind the existing fuel door.  Have locks on the heavy inner door.  Don't know that it would work.  Just thinking out loud.

[Dallas]

just put a sign above the door that says "Waste Water Storage"

[Lin]

Yes, the pry bar scenario is one of the reasons I was looking for something other than the cam lock.  I like the "waste water" idea, but have my doubts if it would work.  Maybe a lock and a sewage sign would help each other.

[oldmansax]

Some thing else you might think about is an electric fence charger connected to the body. I had a slightly modified version of one on my old Diamond Reo. It had a fiber glass hood so I put the keyed shutoff switch under a fender. I guess you could rig up a wireless switch like a keyless entry system to turn it on & off.

It works REALLY well..... DAMHIK!   

TOM

[Melbo]

I put a lock on my fuel when the price was over $2 but I know they can break in

I guess I just want to know when they do so I can put in more fuel

Who wants to run out of fuel on the road

Just my way

Melbo

[TomC]

At least on my bus a fuel fill door lock would be a moot point since my fuel tank hangs under the bus open to the road, making it easy for anyone just to crawl under and open the drain plug.  Good Luck, TomC

[DavidInWilmNC]

I'm not going to lock the fuel door.  Instead, I'll have a bar (pipe) extend across the filler cap.  It'll seat on the right (if you're facing the fuel door) on a carriage bolt with a nut holding the bolt in place.  The other end will be in the battery compartment and will (somehow) be locked in place.  Perhaps I'll extend it into the first bay.  That door will be a lot easier to secure than the battery compartment.  I don't know that I've explained it well, but just think of a bar extending across the fuel filler cap.  At least if a thief goes to the trouble to cut through that, it'll be hidden damage on a scrap piece of pipe!

David

[HighTechRedneck]

I'm not going to lock the fuel door.  Instead, I'll have a bar (pipe) extend across the filler cap.  It'll seat on the right (if you're facing the fuel door) on a carriage bolt with a nut holding the bolt in place.  The other end will be in the battery compartment and will (somehow) be locked in place.  Perhaps I'll extend it into the first bay.  That door will be a lot easier to secure than the battery compartment.  I don't know that I've explained it well, but just think of a bar extending across the fuel filler cap.  At least if a thief goes to the trouble to cut through that, it'll be hidden damage on a scrap piece of pipe!

David

Excellent idea, kind of like the drawer lock bar on a tool chest.

[tomhamrick]

The fuel cap on my Eagle is a locking cap. It has a lever that is lifted and turned to release the cap from the fill tube. With the lock engage the lever cannot be turned.
Tom Hamrick

[buddydawg]

http://fueltankaccessories.com/

Check out the products from these guys.  They have some interesting anti-siphon products.

[HighTechRedneck]

The fuel cap on my Eagle is a locking cap. It has a lever that is lifted and turned to release the cap from the fill tube. With the lock engage the lever cannot be turned.
Tom Hamrick

I always felt secure with a locking cap on my pickup.  But then one time my tow bar broke and I ended up leaving my pickup in the general parking lot of a campground overnight.  The next morning when I went to get my truck, it was down by half a tank.  I looked and the gas cap was in place but had gouge marks on it and the key slot was messed up a little.

That's why I like David's locking bar approach.  Done with a heavy steel bar or pipe, it could take some major tools to defeat it.  Of course, they still might mess up the body panel with the opening trying to use a pry bar on it.

[jjrbus]

 "waste water drain/storage" sign is near genius idea. It will at very little cost and effort eliminate all but knowledgeable thieves.

[Nick Badame Refrig/ACC]

just put a sign above the door that says "Waste Water Storage"

I LOVE IT!.....
Nick-