I was sitting in my 98 F150 listening to the radio and relaxing during lunch. Had the engine running as it is cold today in Buffalo, and after about 20 mins (I had dozed off) I suddenly felt and heard a 'bang'. Thought someone had hit me. I got out, didn't see anything, the truck was still running. I looked underneath, and my gas tank was lying on the ground (well one side of it, the side towards the engine. The back side was still hung up). I was surprised, to say the least. Both straps had rusted thru and given out at the same time.

Has this ever happened to any of you? I'm just glad it didn't happen while I was driving. I'd been driving earlier that day at about 70 mph down the highway to get to work.

Is this a common problem? I have 112K on the truck (2nd owner), and it is 11 years old in Buffalo. This just seems a tad unreal, and dangerous to boot...

 

First I have heard of this. But I guess I'm not surprised being that it's an older truck and the fact you live in an area that gets a lot of salt on the roads for snow. You are indeed lucky this didn't happen on the road while traveling, that would have really sucked. I would take this as a lesson and start inspecting your truck for issues if you don't already. Hell of a way to wake up from a nap!

 

sorry probaly not funny to you but it is to me

 

so I'm assuming your truck is rusted pretty bad and you're wondering why things are fallling off???? sounds like a lack of caring/maintanence/common sense to me

and yeah I'm glad it happened in a parking lot instead of while you were driving and placing an innocent family at risk...

 

did the strap itself rust, or the mounting point of the strap. Any pics?

 

Yes, my straps are hanging on by a thread, thanks for reminding me. BOTH - are rusted almost completely in two. But, I thru some safety's on their last winter, -Galvanized plumbing strap in a few other places lol.

Yea, where they turn into the frame and hook is okay, the strap itself thins out to nothin.

I need to order some.

That could have been much worse lol.

BTW - My kids F250 did the same thing almost, the front strap went, but the tank just kicked down closer to the ground, it didn't fall.

 

Wow, thanks for making it sound like I'm just a stupid idiot. Glad to know that you have seen me and my truck and how I take care of it.

Twit.

FYI, there isn't a lot of rust on the vehicle (much less than I'd expect from an 11 year old car that has lived its entire life in Buffalo), that was why I asked others if this was something that happens from time to time. Have had cars with way more miles on them that ran great (um, because I take care of my vehicles) and I NEVER thought of the gas tank falling off.

As this is my first Ford truck, just was asking so that I'd know if it was something I should worry about. Apparently it is...

 

That is a good idea. Not a bad 'back up' for some other areas I just re-hung (like muffler, etc).

It looks like the straps gave out about halfway up (both at once). And I did some google searches, and see that this does happen (infrequently), specifically on the 97-03 F150s. One poor dude lost his while driving. So I'll just have to keep in mind that this is super exposed and put 'back up' safety straps on to make sure something tragic doesn't happen.

 

I just did that temporarily, my bad for not replacing yet. Yea I have about a quarter million miles on those straps. With those miles, just about anything can happen lol. My lower bed panels are rusted as well, you just can't see it from the outside, yet. I take care of my truck too. I have the new panels on order - for two weeks now, beginning to wonder lol.

 

Man that sucks at least it didn't happen while you were driving

 

Maybe you can give the new straps some kind of paint or rubberized coating to help prevent them from rusting as much

 

Next summer, once it gets warm enough to, I'm going to 'POR15' the entire underneath (after cleaning it, obviously) so that I can have some peace of mind re:rust. Gonna do the inside door panels (on the bottom) because they are getting bad, so after I replace the steel and finish it, it is going to be rustproofed forever.

Thanks to everyone for your tips. Now I know that (to me at least) the unthinkable can happen...I'm just really grateful it happened in a parking lot and not driving down the thruway. Not only because of possible fire, but it could have torn up my truck something fierce, not to mention so poor tailgater. So if it had to happen, I'm glad it just woke me up from a nap!

 

its common. happened on my 99 beater contour too. they didnt hit the ground, just laid on the tailpipe.

 

holy crap!

I'm going to go check on mine now...

 

Wow, that totally sucks!