I have a 2005 F250 PSD that has the 4x4 package with fuel tank skid plates. In Houston, there have been a number of trucks drained of their fuel by drilling the fuel tank. Would fuel tank skid plates prevent someone from drilling into the fuel tank? If not, what could I add to the truck to prevent this?
Kim
Kim with DOTL Minpins, Spc. Rusty and Spc. Cappi
2005 Ford F250 Lariat, PSD, FX4, Crew Cab, Reese 16K slider
2004 Northwood Arctic Fox 29-5T, twin Honda EU2000i Some minds are like concrete thoroughly mixed up and permanently set.
The skid plate covers the bottom, but it can be drilled through. You can see the plastic tank on the sides. If thief wanted to drill the lower side and didn't mind a little puddling of fuel on it's way into his container, they could work around the skid plate.
If this really concerns you, you could see about an add-on plate that has 1" sides (like a box lid) and a means to attach it to the underside of the tank.
Or hang a rubber snake there to scare them away.
2006 Bigfoot 9.4 LB 2500 series. Rides on a 2007 Ford F350 6.0 SRW Torqshift
Well, you could coat your tank with an abrasive guaranteed to spark...your truck's insured right?
Any man-made material is going to be "drillable" some more then others. You're going to take a hit on $$$ and weight with each better protection method. I better idea is probably to get an aftermarket alarm system that would detect either close contact/movement or motion under the vehicle.
J
03 Ram 1500 Quad Cab with Hemi 5.7, HD tow package, K&N Cold Air, B&W Companion + Ball, Prodigy,
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While they are drilling your fuel tank, they will also be sawing your catalytic converter off to. Not only will you have no fuel, it will be extremely loud.
Ron & Libby Gordon
07 Ford F350 Dually Tow Boss Diesel
07 Mobile Suites 38RL3 #3698
02 Winnebago Adventurer 35U V10 (Former RV)
Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow
Why bother with the drilling at all? Just stick a hose down filler neck/tube and pump/suck fuel out that way!! If Ford's filler tube can handle the big rig nozzles, then a siphon hose should not be any problem!
Along those lines. Some ingenious thieves rigged up a 1,000 gallon tank inside of a trailer (towed by a F350 dually) with a trap door on bottom. They'd pull into station and stop over the stations filler valves. Open door and cover for inground tanks, insert hose and pump out "X" gallons of fuel (gas or diesel). Last I knew/heard, they haven't been caught, but got caught on video. Just a matter of time.
Semis are having their fuel stolen by none other than other truckers!! They'd pull in, fuel up and park for the night. Wake up and fine out their tanks are empty. Locking fuel caps cost about 75-100 bucks each.
2003 F250 SD,CC,4x4,SB,AT,Lariat,6.0PSD
2006 Cedar Creek Silverback 33 LBHTS "Custom"
Member of The Cedar Creek RV Club
"Creekin' in the Summer"
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Speaking of cat. converters, one auto shop in the DC area was hit for over 200 of them stolen from the warehouse. Not only that but gas is being stolen along with cats at "park and rides". Thieves sure seem to be loving the high fuel prices, a regular cottage industry around here.
Capt Skup
AD-1(AW)USN Ret.
Wonderful Wife, 3 beautiful Daughters
"Never get in a battle of wits with an unarmed man"
When I bought a locking gas cap the NAPA guy said that if someone really wants my fuel they'll go thru the fenderwll liner, cut the rubber filler tube and siphon from there.
Anyone have a good fix to protect my 38 gallons?
Alf
[b]Alf
2001 Ford F-250SD, V-10, 4x4, 3.73
Coachman Catalina 285RK
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Thanks for the info.
, iPhone)
