3 year long-term storage..HELP!!

[BCoffman]

I just recieved great news! I found out my wife and I are being assigned to Germany (Air Force) for my last 3 years in the Air Force; the problem is I just purchased my "Dream Truck. " I now own a 2004. 5 Ram 2500 5. 9/Auto/4X4, I traveled to AZ for the perfect "rust free" truck.



The truck is now Ziebarted to help combat the Nebraska rust (GO BIG RED), had to throw that in... The truck was owned by a Fire fighter who babied the truck so i want to do the same. I plan to store the truck in dry storage (not temp controlled) but covered/dry/with concrete floor for possibly 3 years; I may be back in the middle of deployment but not 100% sure so I'd like to plan for worst. . I will be purchasing old tires and steel wheels, I'll do the moth ball/dryer sheet idea to help w/rodents etc, I also am going to pull the batteries, new oil, anti, etc. What I need to know is can diesel be treated for that long? What can I do to help the cyl walls from having dry start.



Any help would be great, I need to leave in late June.



GOD BLESS AMERICA AND ALL CUMMINS DIESEL OWNERS!!!

Oo.

LOL

SILVERBACK

 

[jelag]

Diesel fuel will literally grow bugs in the fuel when left un-used... I personally would sell the truck, put the money away and purchase another truck upon return from the deployment.

You've got an asset that will be worth 35-50% less upon your return and all the rubber will have aged while it sat, with the elements working on the cylinders and other open area...

Thank you for serving our country.....

 

[NavyDood]

Unfortunately I agree with jelag. Do you know someone you can REALLY trust to drive it at least once a month for ya?

 

[odinjunior]

I would have the Air Force ship that Sucka over and sell it in Europe at the end of my deployment. Pick up a travel trailer while there and see the Continent. But maybe the rules have changed. .

 

[HBarlow]

It is a nice clean one but reality is it is only a used diesel pickup. It will deteriorate and depreciate significantly while you're overseas.

I agree with the comments above. Sell it to a fellow airman at an attractive price for a quick sale before you fly. Invest the proceeds in a special account and add to it for three years while you're assigned in Germany.

When you return to the states buy another newer nice one or even a new one.

It's only a truck. Don't be emotionally bonded with it.

 

[rbattelle]

I will disagree with the others, only because I know what having your "dream vehicle" means.

If this happened to me, the first thing I would do is ask Cummins what to do. Then I'd ask Dodge what to do. Then I'd post the responses here and get opinions.

Ryan

 

[BSeyler]

Sell it. My daughter and son in law bought a mustang and within a year, the army sent them to Italy for three years. The army would only pay to ship one vehicle, so they took their van because of the kids and the mustang went into my machine shed. I tried to get them to sell it, but it was their "dream car" and they held out. We put mothballs everywhere and covered it with a car cover. They were only home once to drive it. When they returned a year ago last August, they brought it out. After 3 years, it stunk of mothballs, the convertible top was a mess, mice had gotten in, etc. , etc. I have two of the best mousers going, but they couldn't keep up. He's getting read to deploy to Afghanistan again soon, so the mustang is history. He can buy another one again when he gets back. I'd hate for you to see that happen to your dream pickup. Enjoy the sights in Europe buy another pickup when you get back (they're still making them) and thanks for your service!

Bud

 

[SNGLESHOT]

Hey Harv, what do you mean... 'ITS ONLY A TRUCK... DON'T GET EMOTIONALLY INVOLVED WITH IT"... ????? I am shocked!!! :-laf:-laf

 

[rjones]

I will disagree with the others, only because I know what having your "dream vehicle" means.



If this happened to me, the first thing I would do is ask Cummins what to do. Then I'd ask Dodge what to do. Then I'd post the responses here and get opinions.



Ryan

I agree ^^^

 

[RByrum]

I have a dream rig too! A "good" friend, once a month idea appeals to me

 

[Bigiron]

I agree with checking with Cummins. Would also be an idea to find someone that could drive it once a month. I live in MN and know several guys that put the CTD up for the winter. All they do is add anti fungal additive, disconnect batteries and put it in the shed. In the spring, charge Batts and crank it up. Dryer sheets everywhere for mice and other rodents also. Good luck and Thanks For your Service. I was Air Force and my son is currently serving in the Air Force in florida.

 

[BHanna]

I had this problem with my old Mustang when I was stationed in Japan for 3 years. I left it in a storage unit near my parents and my Dad and Brother would get it out and drive it every month or two (maybe less in the PA winter). It made it through the 3 years fine.

Letting it sit for a full 3 years is a little different though.

Your truck will depreciate while you're gone but if it's your dream truck, you're not looking to sell it anyway. You'll have a nice low-mileage truck when you get back.

 

[HBarlow]

Hey Harv, what do you mean... 'ITS ONLY A TRUCK... DON'T GET EMOTIONALLY INVOLVED WITH IT"... ????? I am shocked!!! :-laf:-laf

I "like" them as much as the next guy. You guys know I a loyal partisan Dodge-Cummins buyer/supporter but in the final analysis they are only transportation or a tool to haul with.

 

[CumminsBu]

I say ship the truck and sell the wife's car. It will be easier to pickup a car, van, or wagon from someone transfer back to the states.



I couldn't part with mine either so I feel for you.



P. S. Look in to have the truck ship and pay out of pocket might be worth more to you then sitting in storage for three years.

 

[mickeyblueyes]

Just a thought what if you rented a PODs unit had them store it for you in a warm location(AZ~NM) and specified that you want it stacked high off the ground. I think those units are sealed well. caulk the door openings, patch and fill every spot. Mice do not live in those environments.

 

[ChrisOlson]

BCHoffman

Wow That is a toughie
Nebraska can get pretty cold and all those moving parts that need oil the oil would dry and gum in those Passages in the Eng and Trans, As A diesel Engineer I personally say LONG cold Layups are bad for equipment VERY BAD. We have 11 ships in Our Fleet WE DO not I re peat do Cold Long Layups with our engines anymore we Now man our Laid up ships and exercise our systems (LUBE,Fuel,Cooling) and manually roll the Big engines 9000 Hp, and run all of our smaller engines Every DAy. leaving your injecters cold for 3 years very bad, I agree totally with other comments Bugs in Fuel BAD, Having a friend or family member drive it or run it every 2 weeks Really GOOD, Put the Trans in neutral when first starting, extra insurance probally a good Idea.

My 2 cents Dodge Diesel eng cold Layup3 years bad, Heated would be better and someone to run the engine and truck Better, Hope this helps

Have a great day

Chris

 

[rashwor]

If at all possible, I would want someone driving mine regularly (weekly - monthly). The worst thing you can do with a vehicle is let it set for extended periods without driving. It does not have to be driven a lot, but it needs to be driven regularly.



Just my $0. 02.



Thank you very much for your service to our country! May God bless you and keep you safe!

 

[flyby night]

I'm with keeping it. I would use some decon or other rat/mice poison bait around the outside of the truck with the moth balls and dryer sheets inside. I don;t know about any one else, but I wouldn't want one of the newer trucks with all of the emissions garbage on them. 3 years is a long time, but I think it will survive if you can find a temp controlled indoor storage facility and can keep the pests out of it. run some 2 stroke oil in your fuel and through your system, and use the best oil you can get in the engine.

Good Luck and thanks for your service!