Does the truck set in a garage or outdoors? I would tend to let the truck set much longer intervals if it is in a garage. I have simply disconnected the batteries and treated the fuel in past trucks and let it set for as long as a year but that was in a garage. I would never let one set that long outdoors. If it is outdoors, I would drive it at least once a month and I would wash it then as well.

 

Use It Once A Week It Should Be Happy!:d

 

every couple of weeks, Not using them is very hard on parts.

 

I'm interested in this one too, I have parked mine for the winter in an unheated garage because I didn't have to use it (no salt). I try to start it once a month and let it warm up good, any recommendations or thoughts would be appreciated.

 

Mine sets in a heated shop and will go 4 to 6 weeks without starting and no problems!!!!

 

Same here...I had someone start up my mine about every 4 or 5 weeks while I was deployed. They would only drive it to the gas station and back so Im pretty sure it never got to operating temps. When I got back the truck started and ran just like I left it.

 

Last time I went TDY my Dually sat for 3 months in a climate controlled storage unit. But before that my toys get's stored in a climate controlled warehouse and fired up every 2 weeks. (My longest deployment has only been 6 months tho.) I would say drive it to work or something at least once every two weeks. My 2cents

 

Thanks to all of you that responded. Two weeks has been my target but I was curious if anyone had any hard facts about it. Unfortunately the truck has to sit out, although the weather here isn't all that bad (unless you're from FL, or AZ maybe : ). I have to store all my $20.00 items in the garage so it's full. I've maintained this regimen for about 2 1/2 years now and the truck never fails me so I guess i'll just try and stay with that schedule.

jim

 

God to hear from input from some people. I leave my truck sit most the winter well when it is snowing an the roads suck. It is in a garage an I haven't had any problems.

 

I suspect there are no hard fast rules. If it was over few months I would definetely look into the diesel equivalent of "fogging the engine". Just about every seasonal toy I have recommends treating the cylinders somehow. Lawnmowers, Boat motors, snowmobiles, etc it says it in every manual. I do that to all my gas toys and have found they last forever. Garage or not moisture isn't good if parts don't have at least some oil on them. If left outside then it needs a cover. The sun alone kills everything including the paint. Another thing you do is drain the fuel or at least run it out of fuel. Fuel in lines and injectors gets varnish on them. It sure messes up carburetors or gas injectors!

 

throw some lucas in with the oil also next time you do an oil change to avoid dry starting the motor if you leave it sit for awhile but i leave my truck sit for a month sometimes more when i travel and have not had any problems as of yet, also a battery tender would be good for extended parked periods.

 

keep your tank full. it keeps moisture from entering your tank and some stabalizer in the fuel. you know that one.. ive left mine for a month or so outside in the cold with the battery connected and it fired with no problems. these things are pretty bullet proof. unlike much earlier years. gotta love being able to twist the key with confidence.

 

If you leave the truck set for very long in the cold. Keep a maintainer on the batteries. You're alternator is designed to maintain the batteries, not deep charge them. It will only take a few years to trash the alternator, (to much heat).

 

I have several vehicles that I don't drive regularly and it's a pain in the ass to have to remember to start each vehicle to make sure that the batteries are charged and oil circulates to all the vital engine seals. I solved this problem by buying a alarm system that allows you to program the truck to automatically turn on every 12,24 or 48 hrs and shut off. You can also program how long you want it to idle. I love this system because I use it as a turbo timer, allow the engine and turbo to cool down after a long drive. I paid $150, well worth it than to replace batteries that go dead if you don't start it every now and then.

 

I could never trust that to work. I would prefer a battery tender and let it sit. What if it is runs out of fuel? Does it just sit and crank? What if it does not get oil pressure on start up? I have to keep and eye on things.

 

Ever since I bought mine over 2 years ago, it sits on average 2-4 weeks between uses. If I let it sit more than 2 weeks I put a battery tender on it. I also try and keep the tank full or close to it to prevent condensation in the tank. I have never had any problems with this regimin even with fuel that is several months old in the tank.