Storing my truck for the winter

[DCashier]

I have a 2007. 5 ram 2500 diesel that I am leaving in my driveway in upstate NY for the winter (yes snow birds). . My question. . . . is there some things that I should do. Ex: Should I take the rotors off and store so that they don't warp?

Should I leave the fuel tank full? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[HBarlow]

I don't live in a climate as cold as upstate NY and have never parked a truck over a winter so don't know how to properly protect your truck but a couple of thoughts do come to mind.

Add Power Service or other anti-gelling additive and a biocide product (diesel fuel additive that will prevent mold or algae like substance from growing in the diesel fuel over several months of non-use) to your fuel tank and run the engine long enough to reach the injectors before shutting it off for the winter.

Open the water in fuel drain on the fuel filter cannister and make sure all water is drained from the fuel.

Check coolant ph to make sure the coolant is freeze protected to and below the expected winter low temp in your area.

Inflate all four ties to 80 psi then drive the truck up onto cut sections of 2" by 8" lumber so that all four tires are parked on wood rather than dirt, gravel, blacktop, or concrete. If possible, cover all four tires with tire covers to block direct rays of the sun and possible UV damage.

Remove the batteries and store them on wood, in your basement or other climate controlled environment, and connect inexpensive low current trickle chargers to each to maintain full charge while not in use.

Cut cardboard panels the size and shape of each window and tape to the inside of each window to block sun and uv rays.

Wash and wax the truck before you park it.

I've run out of ideas.

 

[DCashier]

Thanks for all that. Some of those things I didn't even think about. One of my main worries is the rotors. Do you think it would be better to put the truck up on blocks and take them off and store them or just leave them? Will they warp from just sitting?

 

[mwilson]

No, don't worry about the rotors. They are very heavy duty on these trucks. The face of them will rust up over the course of the winter but that will go away the first time that you apply the brakes.



Where in upstate are you?? How cold does it get and also how much snow??

I store mine right outside in the winter with no special prep. Kinda' like throwing a steak in the freezer. :-laf



Harvey is right about the batteries, you should remove them and store them where the temp does not go below freezing. The reason being if they discharge for whatever reason they will freeze and break the case or a cell connector.

I don't remove mine because it does get started when we clear the dooryard and move all the vehicles.

In addition to following Harvey's advice regarding fuel treatment wait until you are ready to leave before topping it off with fuel, that way you will have some treated fuel in it if you have to return home early and need to dig it out. They are mixing ours already and should be in your area as well.

Also if you are the snowbelt make sure it is not parked under any building eves, trees or anything else that can break off of or dump ice or snow on it.

Parking vehicles in the North assuming no one is going to touch it until your return is not quite as destructive as in the South because the sun is weak and the coating of snow will protect the interior and tires.



The destructive force up here is winter road treatments so if it is parked you are doing it the biggest favor possible.

 

[DCashier]

I am in the snow belt Phoenix, Fulton area. I have seen 2-3 ft in one day at a time easy. Temps sometimes below zero but usually 10-25 degrees above with some fluctuation. I am debating the fuel treatment as the TDR said for the 2007. 5 NOT to use so I am not sure on that one. ????? Totally agree with the battery storage. Thank you very much for your input, it has been most helpful. I'll take all the help I can get.

 

[AH64ID]

I agree with everything HBarlow reccommened, and is what I would do to my truck if I were doing the same thing. If you don't want to cover your wheels then I would put a good coat of UV protectant on them.

Leave the fuel tank full.

If you don't have a trickle charger then you don't really need to buy one, the batteries should be just fine if they are climate controlled and disconnected. It wouldn't hurt to charge them a little in the spring.

If you don't want to leave cardboard in the windows (real obvious its parked for the season) then window tint will do a decent job of blocking rays, as will a windshield screen. If you do get tint I recommend spending the money for the good 3M stuff, its a little bit more but its a lot better tint and has a lifetime warranty against bubbling and fading.

You may want to put some rat/mouse poison in the enigne bay as well, and block off the intake tube to the fender. Do this by removing the filter and putting a piece of wood the size of filter in, and putting the filter in the garage.

I would also change the oil just prior to parking, drive it long enough to get to operating temp to get rid of any moisture in the oil and exhaust system.

Lastly, ensure the bed can drain. So either park it nose high, or drill drain holes in the bed.

 

[AWeiman]

aside from mouse poison in the engine i would recomened putting some in the cab as well. we had mice get in the cabs of two trucks we drive daily last winter. one built a nest in the blower, the other truck had have the stuff in the glove box chewed up.

 

[Hammer]

Spend some cash and buy a good truck cover which will protect the inside and outside alot better than any wax or cardboard can.

I would also do your best to cover the entire tire from the rays of very bright sunshine you get up there. A good algaecide additive is a great idea when storing fuel along time. Also wouldn't hurt to use a good winter additive that would protect your fuel from gelling in the sub zero temps you get.

I am also a fan of parking on boards when long term storage is to be done... ... ... Andy