Abstract: A structure for protecting a fuel tank which is mounted at the rear of and above the frame of a motor vehicle and between two parallel frame members extending along the side of the fuel tank. The protective structure includes reinforcing members coupled to the frame members adjacent the fuel tank such that the frame members along both sides of the fuel tank are reinforced and the frame members before and behind the fuel tank are not reinforced thereby allowing collision forces to be absorbed by the nonreinforced sections of the frame members.