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Any storage tips for the tow rig?

Avery4jc

Avery4jc

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So the time has finally come... I get to fly home!
But that means the tow rig has to stay here in Texas during christmas vacation for an entire month (mid Dec. through mid Jan.)

So any tips for letting it sit that long? It'll be at a friend's house but just sitting in the driveway.

Should I be worried about the fuel (use a fuel stabalizer?)

Will tires be an issue? Doubt it but just something else to think about.

Anything else I should worry about? They'll probably see plenty of cold temps. with ice and the occassional snow storm during the time we're gone if that makes a difference.
 
Ask them to just keep it clean and run it once a week. Long enough to warm the engine up. Heck, if you trust them ask them to drive it to work once a week.


Sitting long periods of time without being used is bad for a vehicle. Sitting a week isn't harmful.

I wouldn't be worried about fuel but you can always throw a bottle of Sta-Bil or something in it.
 
Yeah I hate to be this way but its my sister's friend's house and its only her mom, little sister and herself and quite honestly I don't trust them to drive it b/c of its length (and none of them drive trucks)...

I could ask them to fire it up once a week and let it idle for 10 minutes then shut it off...
 
Avery4jc said:
I could ask them to fire it up once a week and let it idle for 10 minutes then shut it off...
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That's all I do. Open the garage doors on a somewhat warm day (IE close to being at freezing), fire it up, and let it blow smoke at the neighbors for 15 minutes or so. Long enough that it's idled down and the coolant will definitely have warmed up.

If you were storing it/letting it sit longer there'd be other worries but a month isn't too bad at all.

My buddy once had his '91 Bronco sitting on base for about 6 months. Oy, wish he had left me the keys...that was not good.
 
Once my truck sat in the driveway for about a year with nothing. It had very little gas in it. It cranked for about 20 mins and it finally fired.


Like mentioned I would disconnect the battery and add some fuel stabilizer or ask them to start it.
 
AJMBLAZER said:
That's all I do. Open the garage doors on a somewhat warm day (IE close to being at freezing), fire it up, and let it blow smoke at the neighbors for 15 minutes or so. Long enough that it's idled down and the coolant will definitely have warmed up.
Click to expand...


Thats all I do. My truck gets parked as soon as they salt the roads, till that first or second rain in the spring
 
Unless he's got an electrical problem I wouldn't worry about disconnecting the battery. Definitely better to have them run it once a week as well.
 
Yeah its full I just put like 14 gallons in tonight...


Ok so it sounds like the best deal would be to have them fire it up and let it idle for 10-15 minutes (I know first hand it drops from about 75psi to 40ish psi and gets up to about 170* within 10-15 minutes)... this will not only keep everything circulated but it'll also run the alternator to keep the battery charged...
Although I've never had a problem w/ this truck its in great shape, I've ran the stereo for hours w/o running the engine and it doesn't even drop when I fire it up. Plus I don't have any electrical "leaks" that steal power when it sits...
 
make sure if they do run it that they do let it idle long enough to get any moisture out of the oil...i dunno if letting it idle for 15 mins or so would be adequate to do that.
 
I have a lot of vehicles, sometimes I let them sit for several months between use. It is not an issue. I would much rather no one touch my vehicles than let someone not knowledgeable try and do anything with them.
 
hmmm ok well then do we agree a month is ok or should I let them fire it up?
 
I let my K5 sit all winter long, and fire it up in the spring. The cold starts are harder on it then just sitting. Make sure the anti freeze is good to however cold it gets down there, the tank is full, and tell them not to touch it. Let it warm all the way up to operating temp when you get back before you drive off. No worries, a month is nothing.
 
odoa3 said:
I let my K5 sit all winter long, and fire it up in the spring. The cold starts are harder on it then just sitting. Make sure the anti freeze is good to however cold it gets down there, the tank is full, and tell them not to touch it. Let it warm all the way up to operating temp when you get back before you drive off. No worries, a month is nothing.
Click to expand...

x2 :D

I'll be parking my truck at the end of December till early march. All I'm going to do is add a little fuel stabilzer to the tank, wash/wax it, and put a car cover over it while it sits in a garage. I would never let anyone else touch my truck.
 
haha damn thought i had a chance but yea nice 85 you have there looking sexy
 
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