Bedlam wrote:
Ford trucks also used have the gas tank behind the seat inside the cab. My friend's truck was cobbled together with a couple different model years, so he had two tanks with individual fillers in the bed and the third in his cab.
Another issue with the side by sides is the exhaust is right under the cargo area. If your spare gas tanks leak, you have a combustion source just waiting for that gasoline.
GM also had the gasoline tanks mounted outboard of the frame rails (side saddle tanks) causing them to leak if you were hit broadside. I never heard of a remediation for that design but know there were some high dollar law suits due to it.
Yes once upon a time tanks were located in lots of questionable places.
Overtime the power of the lawsuit has taught the manufacturer's to protect the tanks and keep them inside the frame rails for the most part...I think we can all agree to that.
Yet many think carrying an exposed portable tank on the rear is OK.
I'm not saying the sky is falling. I have done riskier things myself. Nevertheless carrying an unprotected plastic gas can on the rear is not the best idea. I would simply seek a location with less exposure than the rear.
No every Pinto did not blow up, but there were enough fires that the rear end collision became a major part of the Pinto's legacy and always will be.
