I am 82 years old and grew up in the gasoline business. I have hauled a lot of gasoline and I view gasoline safety differently than most people. The factory placement behind the seat is the safest place because the tank is completely surrounded and away from the hot exhaust. Under the bed installations are very vulnerable to collision damage during a hit from the side or from the rear. And they are vulnerable to being hit from debris on the road. And if mounting brackets fail the tank will drag the ground. If you smell gas inside the cab, there is a leak somewhere and you need to fix it. Along with being in the gasoline business, I have been in the trucking business for 61 years and also a licensed dealer. I have seen quite a few burned out pickups that had the gas tank in a position other than behind the seat. I don't think I ever saw one that burned that had the tank behind the seat. I haven't hauled gasoline in quite a while, but I still have an unrestricted CDL and occasionally still drive. Last week I went and got a load of DEF. This photo was taken over 60 years ago. Gas tank behind the seat and saddle tanks. No seat belts, now power brakes and bias tires that were slick on wet pavement.
