storing truck

[SManojlovic]

Hello, When not in use how often should the engine be run and for how long? Thank you in advance for the answers.

 

[mwhals]

If it isn't in use, I would not keep much fuel in it. Fuel gets less effective as it ages. Also, I wouldn't just idle it when running it. Actually take it for a drive since idling the engine for long periods is not good for it. I would treat it like most any vehicle and try to drive it once every week or two personally.



As to what should be done, I'm not sure since I have never looked it up or stored a vehicle. Others may have better ideas, but the above is how I would do it.



Mark H

 

[ohnoitsyu]

I was just about to search for this topic!



I'm going to Japan next week for three months, and so my truck is going to sit (in the garage). Are there any other recommendations? Should I use a fuel additive?

How will the batteries last? Should I connect a Battery Tender? If you know these, they are not simple battery chargers.

 

[RankRam]

I was just about to search for this topic!



I'm going to Japan next week for three months, and so my truck is going to sit (in the garage). Are there any other recommendations? Should I use a fuel additive?

How will the batteries last? Should I connect a Battery Tender? If you know these, they are not simple battery chargers.

Yeah the Battery Tender is a great idea, they work very well. I would do that and fill the fuel tank as full as possible and put a good additive in the fuel too.



When you get home I would also change the oil after you get it warmed up from a long drive, you know you will be missing your truck after a three month absence.

 

[TSpecht]

Top off the fuel tank as full as possible. This will prevent condensation from forming in the tank to a large extent. Condensation is bad. Perhaps some stabilizer might not be too bad of an idea, if you can find some rated for diesel fuel.

I think I would simply disconnect the batteries for longer term storage. The battery charger might not be too bad of an idea, but I'd be leery of leaving an electrical device energized and unattended for longer periods of time. That would always be bugging me in the back of my mind, wondering if it's still fine... Probably just me though.

 

[CDonaldson]

I'd top off the tank and add a conditioner. I used to live in the east, and have a Miata that I would store for the winter - 4 to 5 months in PA. I topped off the tank and added a stabalizer. I disconnected the battery the first couple of years, but that was a pain because I would have to reset all the electronics, then I got a tender, it worked fantastic. Even when the power failed it came back on without a problem. I had a friend who was worried about leaving his battery on the tender without someone to check it every so often while he was gone, he put a timer on it and that way it was on a few hours a day max. Since the tender has a built in controller, that was a little overkill.



Here in the SW, I now have a low-watt solar panel with a charge controller that I regularly connect whichever vehicle I am not using a lot. Got the stuff from an RV place. I installed a 2-conductor plug onto my battery that stays there all the time, and I made a plug-in panel that I mounted in the face of my workbench. Power comes off the solar panel into the garage and connects to the charge controller. I have 4 places to plug into on the panel using 2-pin 12 volt outlets. I made a jumper cable out of coiled 2-conductor wire to plug into the panel and the battery cable. I also put an electrical outlet on the panel so I had power for a block heater or whatever. So, I can charge the car/truck batteries, and also some of my other 12 volt stuff.



Sorry if this got a little long, but there might be others who would like my idea and could put it to good use. The initial cost of all this stuff was not that much, and by now it has more than paid for itself, the sun's energy is free. By the way, I have a small solar panel that I carry in each vehicle just in case a battery has a problem and needs remote charging. I also have a solar panel/with charge controller on my horse trailer that keeps up it's battery. The nice part is that the sun charges everything all the time and you don't need to connect the +12v through your trailer plug anymore.



CD

 

[Nate]

The times I've been deployed, I just filled up the tank, put some stabilizer in teh tank, disco the batt. and that's it.



Done that twice with the Jeep.

 

[KBertetto]

My truck is on its 4th month of storage, all I did was fill it, and disconnect the negatives... works everytime I deploy out. Leave a wrench in the cab for when you get back at 0200 or some other ridiculous time... you can tighten up your cables properly instead of fumbling around with a leatherman or whatever.



Bert

 

[MMeier]

And then you guys could always drop off your prized possessions here in Vegas! They'll get washed once a week, all the tender loving care I give my fleet of vehicles, get driven plenty enough to ensure a thourgh warm up, and everything. Just make sure you top off the fuel tanks before arrival!!

 

[JWChessell]

Here's what I did with my '03, after asking some questions on this website, talking with Cummins and a little "shade-tree intuition. " I took delivery and parked the truck outside in Oregon about a week later for 90 days. Before parking I had the oil changed. I filled up the tank and added one pint of Cummins "Fleet-tech" all-season turbo diesel fuel additive (part # CC2588). Supposedly this product prevents ice and wax formation (among other claims) and the truck was going to be outside until the middle of November. I covered the truck with a Dodge factory cover (and made a frame over the bed with 1/2" PVC to support the cover and let the rain run off). I connected a 1-volt solar charger to the truck and put it on the hood. I did not disconnect the batteries.



When I returned in November, the truck was covered with snow and the batteries were dead. I uncovered the truck, jump-started it, and all systems came "on-line. " I drove it about 15 miles to the local Dodge dealer and had the oil changed again. Result: No problems. Truck ran fine and always has, and no issues with that tank of fuel.

 

[DieselFiend]

RankRam is right on but, I'd run some additive the tank prior, fill it up then add again. Disco the batteries and call it good. I think leaving your old oil in it will have a minor effect if any at all. I'd change after I got back.

 

[ohnoitsyu]

Thank you for all the suggestions.



Unfortunately, I won't have the space in my garage to open the hood when the truck is fully inside, so I'll have to skip that step. If the batteries are dead when I return, the truck will easily coast backward to jump-start it, if needed.



KBertetto,

Good idea on keeping the wrench nearby! Even though you have just disconnected the batteries before departure, it's really easy to forget where you left the wrench, or a pain to go digging for it in a toolbox.



I'll probably use a Battery Tender. I gave one of the small ones to my dad many years ago, and he's been using it ever since to keep four Group 27-sized batteries charged year round in his motorhome. I have a few of them, so it'll be easy (I normally keep them connected to my Jet Skis, but I forgot for a while, so I have several Jet Skis with bad batteries and Tenders sitting nearby).

 

[mwhals]

Thank you for all the suggestions.



Unfortunately, I won't have the space in my garage to open the hood when the truck is fully inside, ... ... .

I feel your pain.



Mark H