This is what I do (long) (archive)

This is what I recommend. In the picture below, behind Jack you will see a 50 gallon rubbermade, covered tub. I can fit 2 aluminum 80's in there plus all my gear including exposure suit, regs, fins. Everything except my photo gear.

If you were to buy two of these, you could store your 4 cylinders plus gear and keep the interior of your X5 pretty well preserved. You could fold down the rear seats, cover the cargo area with some of the blue nylon drop cloth like I do, maybe throw in a couple of cargo mats and everything is cool. Except fastening it all down. But if you get the tubs without wheels, the weight of them full should keep them anchored pretty well. Just drive prudently.

This is what I miss about my 4Runner. I could strap four cylinders across the cargo floor using those ratcheting belt straps used for anchoring motorcycles. But the 4Runner had two large eyehooks securely attached to the wheel humps that I could hook the straps to. The Ones in the X5 are much more flimsy. I do not trust them.

Don't tell anyone, but I generally break the PADI cardinal rule. I dive alone. So I only have to worry about my own gear. If I need more than two cylinders, there are plenty of dive shops in Monterey to get refills.

Very important, in a major collision, these cylinders can become fatal. So use care in how you transport them. Especially driving prudently. Also, when you leave cylinders in your X5 for a extended period on a warm day, crack your windows. If one of these cylinders blow, the increased air pressure inside the car will blow your windows out.

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