SCUBA tank transport

7454 Views 13 Replies 8 Participants Last post by murdock1084, Apr 10, 2009

Rhino8541

Discussion Starter · Apr 9, 2009

Anyone here transport scuba tanks? I was thinking of different ways to secure a scuba tank in the bed. I was thinking either standing up, or laying down. I'm leaning toward laying down, near the back, by just having one or two semi-circle holders to secure it in. I was hoping someone who's done this had some insight, before I try it out. This might be an excuse for me to get the rubber bed mat.:naughty:

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goforlow

· #2 · Apr 9, 2009

I did this a few different ways when paintballing.

In one guys truck, we set the tanks on their sides inside of a truck bed toolbox. We blocked them with sandbags so they would not move side to side and set another sandbag across the tanks so they could not move vertically.

The other way, I built a frame out of 2x4's and 2x6's. A box frame was built with 2x4's. 2, 2x6's had circular cuts in them to match the curves of the tanks. One of the 2x6's was placed at about 4 inches from the bottom and one about 4 inches below the curve on the top of the tank, were attached to the frame. A second set of 2x6 were used as clamps to secure the tanks to the frame. I carried 3 3000 cubic inch tanks in a box that was about 3 ft tall, 3 ft wide and 1 ft deep. The frame was tall enough to completely contain the tanks if it ever tipped over. The entire box was ratchet strapped to the bedsides of my truck.

I don't have any pictures, but I think you can get the idea. I don't have the box anymore either.

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divingtigger

· #3 · Apr 9, 2009

I had 2 pieces of hard rubber cut into wedge shapes and put them on the outside edges of of the tank (top and bottom). If I was taking more than one tank I put the wedges on the outside tanks. I have several of the removable tie downs from macs (http://www.macscustomtiedowns.com/category/AnchorPlates) and I use those for securing the tanks to the bed. I then pack the gear bags around them for extra protection. Never really had any issues with it. I've also seen people secure them to the cab side of the bed standing up....I really dont' like the way that looks but apparently they've had no problems

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STLTaco09

· #4 · Apr 9, 2009

goforlow said:
I did this a few different ways when paintballing.

In one guys truck, we set the tanks on their sides inside of a truck bed toolbox. We blocked them with sandbags so they would not move side to side and set another sandbag across the tanks so they could not move vertically.

The other way, I built a frame out of 2x4's and 2x6's. A box frame was built with 2x4's. 2, 2x6's had circular cuts in them to match the curves of the tanks. One of the 2x6's was placed at about 4 inches from the bottom and one about 4 inches below the curve on the top of the tank, were attached to the frame. A second set of 2x6 were used as clamps to secure the tanks to the frame. I carried 3 3000 cubic inch tanks in a box that was about 3 ft tall, 3 ft wide and 1 ft deep. The frame was tall enough to completely contain the tanks if it ever tipped over. The entire box was ratchet strapped to the bedsides of my truck.

I don't have any pictures, but I think you can get the idea. I don't have the box anymore either.

I've searched Google, ToyotaNation, and Tacoma World for a similar solution - found NOTHING!. What I've got in my imagination is pretty much what you described. I would ultimately like to have something that maybe stacks the tanks horizontally (obviously tanks not touching each other), with the frame of this contraption protecting the tanks at all times. I'm thinking this way, it can be secured to the front of the bed - and I'm hoping it would keep the whole contraption below the top of the bed, allowing the tonneau cover to still be functional.

It'd be awesome if someone had photos of their solution.

Very interested in hearing input from others...

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TexasJiminSTX

· #5 · Apr 9, 2009

I used to have some plastic clamps made by Roll Control on my boat . They come in several designs,but basically youre tanks just snap in. They come in fold-down, slide-in and several other designs. Google Roll Control and you'll find them. I think I lost them when my boat totalled, or I'd mail you mine.

Texas Jim in St Croix Like Verizon: More Bars In More Places:

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elwinna

· #6 · Apr 9, 2009 (Edited)

If you want to lay them down then they make separators that are foam tubes to keep your tanks from rolling around (the tubes are connected by some lines). They would work well if you have a bedmat to keep the whole thing from sliding around.

I'd also look into the standup rings that Texas Jim mentioned. You may be able to find some to attach to the bedrail. Of course the tanks would stand higher than the bed so it depends on what kind of bedcover you have (if any).

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ggoodman

· #7 · Apr 9, 2009

when we go cave diving I often haul two or four sets of doubles(4-tanks), stages(1-4Tanks), deco bottles(2) and a mess of other stuff. best thing ive found is the above pic next to the Cab with the rest of the junk in front to keep them from sliding back towards the tail gate. if you slam on the brakes the front of the bed is where they're going to go anyway. I strap the tanks down using the two additional eyelets i installed in the bolts going through the front of the bed to the frame. If you wana see a Taco squat i'll take some pics the next time we go diving.

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Rhino8541

Discussion Starter · #8 · Apr 9, 2009

elwinna said:
If you want to lay them down then they make separators that are foam tubes to keep your tanks from rolling around (the tubes are connected by some lines). They would work well if you have a bedmat to keep the whole thing from sliding around.

I'd also look into the standup rings that Texas Jim mentioned. You may be able to find some to attach to the bedrail. Of course the tanks would stand higher than the bed so it depends on what kind of bedcover you have (if any).

This is kind of along the lines of what I was thinking. I want something to hold the bottles near the tailgate, so I can strap them down. Ideally, I would like a holder that has it's own strap, similar to a large quick fist I guess.

Thanks for the idea's, keep 'em comin!

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Rhino8541

Discussion Starter · #9 · Apr 9, 2009

Here we go, found this.

http://www.sierraexpeditions.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=376

Anyone use these?

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STLTaco09

· #10 · Apr 9, 2009

Rhino8541 said:
Here we go, found this.

http://www.sierraexpeditions.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=376

Anyone use these?

These look great. The only alternative I would fine is a simply strap (similar to a ratchet strap, but without the ratchet, probably on a smaller scale too). If you could find straps maybe 3' long, I bet they'd be cheaper than these.

Like I mentioned above, my ideal rack would place one tank on top of the other (to hold 2 tanks). Each tank could be secured to the rack itself with these Quick Fists. The rack would hold each tank separate from each other, and would probably be a simple skeleton.

I also came across one on Google that someone used 8" PVC pipe. The tanks slid into them. They were used on a boat though. I dont think I'd trust this solution in the back of a truck though, I like the idea of physically securing each tank down in its position in the rack.

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murdock1084

· #11 · Apr 9, 2009

The way we carry ours is just with larger PVC piping and cut them to size. Stand then at an angle and then you can just slide them in and out. Works great and cheap. I just built a rack and can take it in and out of my truck whenever i need it.

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STLTaco09

· #12 · Apr 9, 2009

murdock1084 said:
The way we carry ours is just with larger PVC piping and cut them to size. Stand then at an angle and then you can just slide them in and out. Works great and cheap. I just built a rack and can take it in and out of my truck whenever i need it.

Do you have any photos of your rack setup? How did you secure the PVC piping to your rack? I dont think you'd be able to drill into the piping because your screw would potentially scratch up the tanks if it stick out through the piping (which would be necessary for securing them enough I would think).