Sig. truck has been my tow vehicle and daily driver for over 2 years now, got a little over 22,000 miles on it, but I just bought a little 4 banger that's getting about 37 mpg. So "Buck" is spending most of his time sitting in the garage. I take the truck out once a week for about a 30-40 mile drive at interstate speeds. Any recommendations for it sitting more than being used now. Got a full tank of fuel, new fuel filter and oil and filter change about 700 miles ago. Still going to use it once or twice a month to tow my 5er and will drive it once a week to keep it running well, just want to know if you have any suggestions as far as "keeping it in good shape" while it spends most of it's time sitting now. Thanks in advance.

Keep fuel tank full. Help to cut down on algae in the fuel. Keep and eye on that sitting. But getting it going weekly will be the best thing.

Brian

good question! Im kind of in the same situation. Truck as sat 95% of the time since April, and will continue to sit for another 6 months (Im sitting with it, cant drive). I havnt done anything preventive for it to sit. If it doesnt get run after 2 weeks I go let it idle for a half hour or so as I do our other diesels that sit a lot. Everything seems to be doing fine so far.

Looks Like I Will Be In The Same Boat

I Just Bought Mine @ The End Of My Lease

And I Will Be Getting A Van For The Daily Driver

And Save The Truck For Pulling The 5th Wheel And Plowing

And Other Truck Only Stuff

Any Other Thoughts Would Be Great

Is It Required To Keep The Batteries On Some Kind Of Trickle Charger ?

Thanks


Swandme

Look for racor biocide to prevent bacterial growth - as said keep the tank mostly full to avoid condensation, I'd also use a good additive for antigel if storing in cold climate. Battery tender makes the best storage chargers.

battery disconnect? how would you wire it for our 2 battery system?

On a follow up, truck has "mostly sit" for the last several months, except to be driven on a Saturday or a Sunday. Drive it approx. 25-40 miles at that time. Went into regen last time and I drove it at 60mph until regen was over. I have it out now, drove from Asheville NC to West Union SC, (approx. 94 miles), towing sig. 5er, spending a week at Crooked Creek Campground. It towed great, got "right at" 11mpg coming "down"...it's "mostly down hill" going to West Union, going back, it's "mostly uphill". Anyway, the truck is doing great, I keep a full tank of fuel in it, but have not put any additives into it yet, was thinking about stanadyne, but unless there is somewhere to buy it over the counter, I don't know where to get it unless I order it on line. I have some Power Service, but was a bit leery about putting it in my truck and letting it just sit. Hadn't planned on disconnecting the batteries, again, I'll be driving it once or twice a week and so far, it fires right up with no problems what so ever.

Any other suggestions would be appreciated. Truck will be "out of warranty in August, and may only have about 28,000 miles on it at that point, if that much. Guess it is what it is...

Me Too ! Bought '08 3500 4WD CC to pull 38' 5th wheel & 21' bass boat. For obvious reasons (1st 3500) I bought a little Sonoma to tool around in & only use big truck for camping & fishing. Don't know much about diesels so the emphasis on bacteria is new to me. I've had the truck serviced (oil/filter/grease) 4 times in the 10 months-10K miles since I bought it new. Dealer has never mentioned the fuel filter - what's the deal?

I think you are ok since you say you tow the 5er once or twice a month. Just pulling that should do good enough to keep the truck alive, plus the fact you have it in a garage helps even more.

Fuel Filters should be changed every 10K unless you have a bad tank of fuel, then change it until the truck starts to drive right again.

Don't do anything special. If you're driving it once a week then just drive it and park it.

Mine sits for 5 weeks at a time, and I do nothing extra other than schedule maintenance.