How do you secure your tanks in your truck?

[JcoldwaterIL]

Just wondering how most people with pick ups secure tanks in the bed. Do you sandwich them between gear bags? do you strap them in with nylon shipping straps? Do you have some type of rack? If you have a rack is it home made or store bought? do you let em roll loose and pray the entire time you are driving?Pictures along with descriptions would be nice if possible. I just want some input on how everyone else is doing it. The reason I'm asking is because I'm planning to make some type of rack. I've got some 10" pvc laying around and was planning to make a removable box to fit snug between the wheel wells and cab of my truck with 8 or 10 tubes to hold the tanks.

 

[Crazy Fingers]

I take them and line them upright against the cab, and then ratchet strap them down. It takes a lot to make it work this way though. You may need spacers (coolers work great) if you don't have enough tanks.

I have seen some store bought tank racks that look awesome, but they are $$$. A particular PVC six pack comes to mind, but I don't know where I saw it.

 

[scubak]

For my single tanks, I use one of those store bought tank thingys...you know...a piece of styrofoam and then some nylon rope that I put the single tanks on....the best thing I found though is a scrap piece of floor matting from the restaraunt on the truck bed...this prevents anything from sliding around...however, when Tim and I go for the long haul to BC...we use the tie downs and such to keep everything secure...if you want some really COOL ideas ask Scuba BOB and then Glowe, they have the back of their trucks outfitted so cool you could dive for a week and live in the space...
K

 

[bluewatertoy]

I use an aluminum expanding ratchet type tube out of a semi trailer. You just have to cut it down by about 8-10 inches to fit in the back of a truck. Stand all of your tanks up at the front of your box by the cab, slide up the pipe and expand it against the sides of your bed. Works awesome for just about anything.

Kelly

 

[paintsnow]

have you considered makeing the rack so that it slides in horizontally instead or vertically?the bed is already high enough why make it harder.
for examle something like this:

I OOOO I
I OOOO I
>>>>>>
>>>>>>

with the I's being the bed sides the O's being the tubes for the tanks and the >'s being the tailgate?

that way the wheel wells hold the thing in place and the tailgate holds the tanks until you need them?

anymore questions please ask and fyi
the nissan titan has a great utiliy system and the sliding bed divider which is basically a piece of metal allows to to sandwich the tanks aginst the cab or tailgate

and i would still love to see how the other 2 members have thier trucks configured
im really intrested in that

good luck

 

[reefugee]

I don't have a truck - but an SUV (Acura MDX). I lay my tank flat down and then use the 4 ratcheting straps to make sure they don't move. I guess I want to make sure that in an accident, they don't become rocketing projectiles.

Minh

 

[Ice9]

I been looking at getting foam tank racks. Here's an example:

http://www.scubatoys.com/store/detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=FoamTankRack

 

[paulthenurse]

I made the same thing from a couple of the foam noodles that the kids use in the pool. Cut them ino 2 1/2 foot lenths, drill thru them with a 1/2 inch drill bit and run a piece of clothesline thru. I loop the clothesline over and back thru the hole to keep everything in the same relative place.

They work wonderfully. Make up a few and you can line up the tanks across teh back of the truck bed and never have to worry about them rolling. Plus, they won't slide forward if you jack on the brakes. All in all, a perfect, cheap solution. And when you are done with them, they only weigh a couple of ounces and can stow behind the seat. Total cost $3.00
Paul

 

[terrasmak]

I throw gear bags on top of them , but soon i will make a rack.

 

[Divin'Papaw]

I picked up a very large rubbermaid-type container that I put my two AL80s in with a rolled up DAN mat between them. I'm also able to put most of my wet stuff on top of them (fins, gloves, boots, wetsuit). The container is probably 20" wide, 4' long and 2' high.