With fuel prices almost doubling, there is some talk on the RV forums about locking fuel caps. Do you think a locking fuel cap is a deterrence? I've been searching and cannot find one that says it fits a 2012 F350 diesel. Got any advice?

Rob

 

I've only tried siphoning fuel out of a couple vehicles and in those cases it was impossible due to internal baffles. To me, a locking fuel cap is more about preventing tampering with fuel or at the least letting you know if someone tried to tamper with your fuel. And there are other ways to steal fuel from a car/truck besides through the gas cap.

 

I think if there going to steal fuel they'll be puncturing a hole in the tank and letting gravity fill the containers.

 

This is how most of our fuel thefts have been on cars/pickups. They still siphon diesel from semis though.

 

I've had a locking fuel cap for almost the entire time I've owned my F-350. It's still in the box and stored under the driver's seat. One of these days I may actually use it.

 

Thieves will puncture the tank or cut the filler neck. If they're going to steal fuel, I'd rather they try to siphon and not damage the truck. I've always felt the locking cap was more to prevent tampering.

 

I have locked the 80 gallon transfer tank, just in case. Lock will keep honest people honest a thief wants it he will get it no matter what you do.

 

I put a locking cap on mine right off the hop and control the only key. Not worried about theft so much as having family or friends helping out and accidently putting DEF in the fuel tank. Figured it would also help keep me from having a brain fart and doing the same thing. I'd put a locking cap on the DEF tank too if I could find one...

 

Yeah internal baffles are effective against tampering. At each oil change I run a can of Seafoam (or the Gumout equivalent) through my vehicles. Tried to use a funnel on my wife's 2018 Escape and got more on the side of the car than in the tank. Nobody will siphon from that car, I'm sure. Haven't tried the F-250 yet with only 3900 miles but suspect will get much the same result.

After thought: I wonder if skid plates would deter theft by puncture?

 

I don't know about your Escape, but our '12 Edge and my son's '13 Explorer each have a special funnel clipped near the spare tire. I've use those funnels to pour gas into the tank from a can before. I guess they're designed specifically for holding the cap-less fuel door open.

 

Thank you. I will look for that.

 

I put one on my 21' and had one on my 2010 and 2006, cheap insurance if you ask me, I am more worried about fuel contamination than theft!

 

FWIW, Not sure how baffles prevent contaminant fluids from flowing into the fuel or DEF tanks.

Some consider "Tampering" to include introduction of contaminants into diesel, DEF and gasoline tanks.

DIY replacement parts for damaged fuel systems and engines are very costly. Repair shop bills? Stratospheric!

An ultra-sensitive motion-sensing trigger to LOUD HORN & HAZARDS chases away lead-fearing thieves and vandals.

PS: Fx4 skid-plates do not encapsulate the sides/corners of tanks. Quiet low-speed cordless drills, cutting into pipes/lines, etc...