RCI gas tank skid and tank drilling (theft)

Due to gas tank drilling starting to spread, I reached out to RCI to see if it is possible for a customer to add higher "side walls" to the skid to cover more of the sides and corners as a deterrent. I'll post their reply when I receive it. I know a few of us have been wondering if it's possible.

 

I fucking hate thieves. We all bust our asses for every dollar and they keep finding new ways to screw us.

 

Wouldn't it have to be hardened steel in order to be worth a shit against a drill bit?

 

I wish they would hurry along the add on cat guards for their tranny plate.

 

Shouldn't be too far out. They will not modify the fuel tank plate though.

 

The reply from RCI for us to do ourselves. They have to plans to tackle this from a previous email that I received from them.
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It definitely is something that could be done, but it would be a little tricky to add material on the side that faces the drive shaft as that location is pretty narrow and you wouldn't want to interfere with that drive shaft. As long as you guys are comfortable with welding or bolting some additional pieces to the skid plate then I'm confident you could come up with something just take into consideration that driveshaft and the way it moves as the rear axle travels up/down.

Thanks,
Evan Beisner
RCI OFFROAD
P: 970.797.3089
SALES@RCIOFFROAD.COM

 

Thats too bad. An opportunity for someone else to make a true gas plate.

 

Have you seen the Victory 4x4 tank plate? I like the mounting design better....direct frame bolt attachments.

https://www.victory4x4.com/product/VTU23SD-TNK.html

 

The Victory plate does provide a little more protection than the RCI one, but can still be circumvented. Perhaps being a deterrent would be enough. Also with all these plates we’re adding underneath, Alcan is going to have to redo our springs for more support

 

I hear ya there. I like the no strap swapping option too.

 

Drilling the side of a tank seems very messy to me, even for a thief. You have to get a container to catch the gas that's likely shooting out a long stream. Much easier to go to the next vehicle without a skid. Thieves are probably using the plastic 1 gallon milk jugs to catch the gas - in Mexico they sell gas out of these milk jugs to sell gas in remote desert towns because they do not have real gas stations. Thieves can drill from the bottom, place the container to catch the gas and walk away until it's time to switch containers. Drilling from the side will force them to stay under the vehicle and probably get gas all over themselves.

I've got the Victory skid. That fucker is thick and heavy.

 

Sounds to me like the Victory is the way to go and a theft deterrent.

 

Well, crime does pay....if you're a scumbag pos. Why work for what you want???? Just take it off your neighbor. We need to start chopping hands !!

 

Make em' drink a cup of gas!

 

An extra $125, but I think you and others already expressed why that's money well spent. You've got me paranoid now, so it's probably my next upgrade.

My wife says thanks.

 

Anyone out there running the Victory skid? If so, can you send us some detailed pics, showing the sides of the plate (where a thief might have room to drill)?

 

Like... a turorial???

Maybe "x" marks the spot?

 

I'm almost positive that's sarcasm, because it seems painfully dull to think that gas stealing rings are here, gathering real world intelligence to make 'meticulous plans'... but I'll answer anyway.

No... more like a:

Should I buy it, or does it have critical flaws that me and other consumers might want to avoid?

I'm looking for more than just a yard sign, I want a significant barrier if I'm spending that cash.

 

Yup i would love to kick a politician in the mouth, current or former, heck even one that just wanted to run.

 

I have had the RCI gas skid in my garage for months now. Going to install tonight before a road trip from Portland to Austin. Between that skid and my Valhalla full set I hope any thieves that crawl under my truck they simply move on to an easier target. I am carrying a tube of JB Weld that can repair a gas tank if needed.