Need some gas bottle ideas for removal

MOS2
MOS2 Member Posts: 49
in Modifications & Upgrades
Have a 2025 400 boondock black canyon with the large tub on the front. 
Removing the LP gas bottle for refill is a pita . The bottle is held in place by a  ring with a bolt and wing nut . 
Not much room to  loosen the wing nut by hand . I bet others have the same issue . 
So what did you do to make revolving the bottle more user friendly ? 
    Thanks , Mike

2025 400 Boondock Black Canyon 

Comments

  • Binghi
    Binghi Member Posts: 407
    I put in a longer bolt and added a spacer about 1/2 to 3/4 inches long to push the wing nut further out from the clamp. That gives me room to tighten the wing nut more easily.
    2021 400 BD / 2016 VW Touareg / Austin, TX
  • MOS2
    MOS2 Member Posts: 49
    I will give that a try . But not much room in there . 
    2025 400 Boondock Black Canyon 
  • Freespirit
    Freespirit Member Posts: 187
    @MOS2, I experienced the same issue you describe. My solution for the last 3+ years is to use a removable zip tie.  In my case, I discovered the tank didn’t really need to be held tight I place just secure. 

    2020 TAB 320 U
    TV 2025 Telluride X Type
  • Marceline
    Marceline Member Posts: 1,756
    Can you find a knob that fits? Something like this?
    San Francisco Bay Area
    2013 CS-S us@gi
    2015 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner Double Cab
  • ckjs
    ckjs Member Posts: 137
    My arthritis pushed me to replace the wing nut with an adjustable handle like this one:



    However, it is still really close to the tank. I'm going to try @Binghi's spacer idea.
    Charles & Judy, Santa Cruz, CA
    2018 T@B 320 CS-S; Alde 3020; 4 cyl 2020 Subaru Outback Onyx XT
  • Sharon_is_SAM
    Sharon_is_SAM Member Posts: 10,035
    We removed the hose holder in our original tub.  Gave us more room. 
    Sharon / 2017 T@B CSS / 2015 Toyota Sienna Minivan / Westlake, Ohio
  • MOS2
    MOS2 Member Posts: 49
    ckjs said:
    My arthritis pushed me to replace the wing nut with an adjustable handle like this one:



    However, it is still really close to the tank. I'm going to try @Binghi's spacer idea.
    Won’t work ..not enough room
    2025 400 Boondock Black Canyon 
  • MOS2
    MOS2 Member Posts: 49
    Sharon_is_SAM said:
    We removed the hose holder in our original tub.  Gave us more room. 
    No hose holder in the 25 400 ..the large tub has a section for the bottle but very limited room for removal 
    2025 400 Boondock Black Canyon 
  • MOS2
    MOS2 Member Posts: 49
    The longer bolt with a space work a little better but not great 
    2025 400 Boondock Black Canyon 
  • ckjs
    ckjs Member Posts: 137
    MOS2 said:
    ckjs said:
    My arthritis pushed me to replace the wing nut with an adjustable handle like this one:



    …
    Won’t work ..not enough room

     The “arm” of the handle slides up on the stem, freeing it from the nut inside. After each 180 degree turn of the handle, you can readjust the arm back 180 degrees, so that you can crank the nut another half-turn tighter/looser.

    The ~3” handle length makes it possible for me to tighten the nut by hand, without scrounging up wrench of some sort.
    Charles & Judy, Santa Cruz, CA
    2018 T@B 320 CS-S; Alde 3020; 4 cyl 2020 Subaru Outback Onyx XT
  • MOS2
    MOS2 Member Posts: 49
    ckjs said:
    MOS2 said:
    ckjs said:
    My arthritis pushed me to replace the wing nut with an adjustable handle like this one:



    …
    Won’t work ..not enough room

     The “arm” of the handle slides up on the stem, freeing it from the nut inside. After each 180 degree turn of the handle, you can readjust the arm back 180 degrees, so that you can crank the nut another half-turn tighter/looser.

    The ~3” handle length makes it possible for me to tighten the nut by hand, without scrounging up wrench of some sort.
    You need to have a newer 400 with the larger tub to understand how much limited room there is to reach that wing nut 
    2025 400 Boondock Black Canyon 
  • RCB
    RCB Member Posts: 249
    Home Depot had (has?) knurled round knobs with a threaded metal centre hole which might work with a 1/4-20 bolt.
    400 - 2019
    St Catharines, ON
  • Binghi
    Binghi Member Posts: 407
    Marceline said:
    Can you find a knob that fits? Something like this?
    Actually, that was part of my “solution” to this issue. I obtained a knob like that to make it easier on my fingers when drawing down the clamp.
    2021 400 BD / 2016 VW Touareg / Austin, TX
  • rcarlson1957
    rcarlson1957 Member Posts: 265
    When I changed from plastic tub to aluminum tub I rebuilt insides. Here's what I used to make it a little easier. 
     

    2018 TAB 320S
    2020 Honda Ridgeline RTL
    North Texas
    Trips - 50 Mileage - @67k
    "Our favorite trip will always be our next one"

  • Okpete
    Okpete Member Posts: 40
    We use a portable step for the 400. Use step to gain better leverage lifting tank. Still requires effort. Love the lockable and well designed front storage. Good news, we only fill once a year
  • CatDaddy
    CatDaddy Member Posts: 130
    I used JB Weld to glue the bolt to the OEM strap so I could loosen the wingnut with one hand. A plastic nut would make it even easier. I'm not sure why NuCamp chose not to make a square hole in the strap so a standard carriage bolt could be used without it spinning in the hole. 
    Adventure Cats living in the Pacific NW USA
    2022 NuCamp T@B 320S Boondock
    2023 Volkswagen ID.4 Pro S Plus AWD

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