Better A'van Gas Bottle Clamps

Top left is the most common method of holding in full bottles of gas in the A'van range. The current production method is slightly improved, as they are using wing nuts. (not pictured) This however, offers no security at all. The photo at left shows a better DIY way using readily available toggle clamps. Simply tack weld to the existing straps after removing the bent pieces with a hack saw and your angle grinder. Your bottle can be made secure by using a small padlock. Wont stop a determined thief, but will possibly stop a casual thief.

The photo above shows yet another very good approach. The advantage of this system is you never mark your cylinders as the clamp material springs away from the bottle for extremely easy removal. All you do is remove most of the old 1" X 1/8" strap and pop rivet on a piece of strapping. The light duty toggle clamp is also pop riveted on. Very quick, very cheap and very effective! Security wise though it is just too easy to remove. You can of course chain the bottles to the A-frame via a padlock

Bob Eustace