Locks for propane tanks, batteries and spare tire

[Iowa Dave]

We always found that a lot of theft was what we called a crime of opportunity. If it's easy and quick the tweakers will steal anything up to and including manhole lids. The security common to most of us can usually be defeated fairly easily with common hand tools. The hacksaws, bolt cutters, battery powered grinders, reciprocating saws, and battery powered drills. The funny thing about propane tanks is that I often see discarded out of date tanks in road ditches etc. although I have not done this, I can take a tank like this (out of date) to my Amerigas dealer and trade it for a full one for about $20. So thieves are actually only getting the propane. Which, if you're camped remotely is somewhat critical but in many cases just inconvenient.
Anything that slows them down or gives the appearance of security is often enough to make them give up. If you are threading metal to use 1/2 inch rod, drill a 27/64 ths
hole and use a 1/2 inch tap, 13 threads per inch as previously noted.
Dave

 

[Iowa Dave]

Here's another concept. The rod that holds the cross bracket to the two tanks is a piece
of threaded rod which extends through the tray that holds the tanks. There's usually a nut and washer on it (under the tongue). The top is the rod with the familiar "spinner" wing nut that is easily spun off. Bracket released, hoses disconnected, tanks gone.
If you put a liberal wad of Donna D brand Silicone on the threads above the nut, it's
Very very difficult to back that spinner nut up. Stopping thieves who exclaim " I can't get this .......... thing off". When you need to change a tank you lay underneath and remove the bottom nut. And that's why I am known as a cheap bohemie. With my original tanks in place. Not for everyone but would Work excellent for Jim Norman .
Dave

 

[gocamp-ESC]

Not mine but not 75 dollars either

 

[hey_rls]

Not mine but not 75 dollars either

I saw this.....great idea. Or you can buy a piece of flat aluminum or steel from Lowes and a nut and build something like this...

 

[thoer]

Not mine but not 75 dollars either

I was just thinking of something like that - thanks for the picture.

 

[War Eagle]

advenas, after you get into the 1/2 x20 locking lug screen do you know what locks to choose from looong list of choices? 1/2" x 20 Tapered Seat Lug Nuts, Wheel Locks & Lock Sets

advenas, I second gocamp. Lug nuts come in a variety of base shapes (where the nut contacts the wheel) - flat, tapered, shouldered, curved, etc., not to mention right-hand threads vs. left-hand threads. I've always found it helpful to check both sides of the trailer to verify right-hand vs left-hand threads, and then pull an original lug nut off the trailer and take it to an auto parts store to get a perfect match regarding thread direction, size, thread-count and base shape. It can get pretty crazy.

 

[hey_rls]

advenas, I second gocamp. Lug nuts come in a variety of base shapes (where the nut contacts the wheel) - flat, tapered, shouldered, curved, etc., not to mention right-hand threads vs. left-hand threads. I've always found it helpful to check both sides of the trailer to verify right-hand vs left-hand threads, and then pull an original lug nut off the trailer and take it to an auto parts store to get a perfect match regarding thread direction, size, thread-count and base shape. It can get pretty crazy.

I agree now that I've had some information provided to me. Really, I'm more worried about the spare ....crime of opportunity vs someone swiping a wheel off the trailer. And sure as God makes little green apples...when I need the key I won't be able to find it. I may go with a cable that locks from my battery lock through my spare and back again.

Don't you just hate thieves? Gees....back when I was a kid nobody stole anything. I know I didn't...my dad would kill me...

 

[hey_rls]

Ha....now we're talking......spare tire lock.

https://www.etrailer.com/Locks/Tow-Ready/FSTL0603.html

 

[Dave Walter]

If you got some really long safety chains for your hitch, you could run them through the tops of your propane tanks, weave them through the spokes on your trailer wheels, and then lock them together after running them through the spokes on your spare tire. Any prospective thieves will be laughing so hard that they will forget all about trying to take your stuff.

 

[rubicon327]

If you got some really long safety chains for your hitch, you could run them through the tops of your propane tanks, weave them through the spokes on your trailer wheels, and then lock them together after running them through the spokes on your spare tire. Any prospective thieves will be laughing so hard that they will forget all about trying to take your stuff.

After they are done laughing they will make a couple of cuts and steal the chain!!