LONG TERM STORAGE
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Cross-Country
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 99
Likes: 5
From: Lewisville, Texas
LONG TERM STORAGE
I have a 2019 F250 Lariat Diesel. I'm going to be storing it away from home for a few months this winter. I will not have access to it during this time.
I have had other vehicles that stated in the OM to pull a certain fuse in lieu of disconnecting the batteries for long term storage but I can't find anything like that in my OM. Only this,
Does anyone have a hack for this? (There will be no power available)
Thanks,
matt
I have had other vehicles that stated in the OM to pull a certain fuse in lieu of disconnecting the batteries for long term storage but I can't find anything like that in my OM. Only this,
- If storing your vehicle for more than 30 days without recharging the battery, we recommend that you disconnect the battery cables to maintain battery charge for quick starting.
Does anyone have a hack for this? (There will be no power available)
Thanks,
matt
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 1,555
Likes: 516
If it's stored outside, you could use a solar-powered charger and just keep the batteries connected. Honestly, if the batteries are in good nick, then I would just leave it be without any intervention. Thirty days is nothing. They sit on the dealer's lot for longer than that. The modules will put the truck in hibernation so there's not going to be any significant drain.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 1,643
Likes: 688
If it's stored outside, you could use a solar-powered charger and just keep the batteries connected. Honestly, if the batteries are in good nick, then I would just leave it be without any intervention. Thirty days is nothing. They sit on the dealer's lot for longer than that. The modules will put the truck in hibernation so there's not going to be any significant drain.
To the OP, disconnecting the battery cable(s) seems like a simple, foolproof method. Pulling a fuse may be easier but if a fuse would do the job, I would think the owners manual would recommend it.
Cross-Country
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 53
Likes: 3
I have a 2019 F250 Lariat Diesel. I'm going to be storing it away from home for a few months this winter. I will not have access to it during this time.
I have had other vehicles that stated in the OM to pull a certain fuse in lieu of disconnecting the batteries for long term storage but I can't find anything like that in my OM. Only this,
Does anyone have a hack for this? (There will be no power available)
Thanks,
matt
I have had other vehicles that stated in the OM to pull a certain fuse in lieu of disconnecting the batteries for long term storage but I can't find anything like that in my OM. Only this,
- If storing your vehicle for more than 30 days without recharging the battery, we recommend that you disconnect the battery cables to maintain battery charge for quick starting.
Does anyone have a hack for this? (There will be no power available)
Thanks,
matt
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 2,016
Likes: 749
From: Texas
I have a 2019 F250 Lariat Diesel. I'm going to be storing it away from home for a few months this winter. I will not have access to it during this time.
I have had other vehicles that stated in the OM to pull a certain fuse in lieu of disconnecting the batteries for long term storage but I can't find anything like that in my OM. Only this,
Does anyone have a hack for this? (There will be no power available)
Thanks,
matt
I have had other vehicles that stated in the OM to pull a certain fuse in lieu of disconnecting the batteries for long term storage but I can't find anything like that in my OM. Only this,
- If storing your vehicle for more than 30 days without recharging the battery, we recommend that you disconnect the battery cables to maintain battery charge for quick starting.
Does anyone have a hack for this? (There will be no power available)
Thanks,
matt
is it going to be inside a garage or out in the weather?
inside or out air tires to max, if parking on asphalt, use plastic blocks or wood to park on to prevent sinking
dryer sheets inside and in engine bay (remember where you put them) Irish spring soap bits in a small lid also works great at driving flies and mice away, but spiders like it? capsacian cream also works great at driving mice away, apply a small amount to the wires, but remember to not touch your eyes if you touch wire looms later
moth ***** spread around on ground under and around truck
cover tires and coat with tire dressing (both sides)
disconnect batteries, easy to relearn and reset everything once hoked back up, then fully charge both batteries
top off fuel tank and add appropriate conditioner ( powerservice, hot shot, ford ,dealers choice)
clean inside and apply dressing to seats and dash . put in a window sun blocker and all windows if possible make sure no food or gum or trash is left inside
thats how my previous super duties sat for 6-9 months at a shot, in my garage
there is also a blurb in the OM that lists needed tasks
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 426
Likes: 92
is it going to be inside a garage or out in the weather?
inside or out air tires to max, if parking on asphalt, use plastic blocks or wood to park on to prevent sinking
dryer sheets inside and in engine bay (remember where you put them) Irish spring soap bits in a small lid also works great at driving flies and mice away, but spiders like it? capsacian cream also works great at driving mice away, apply a small amount to the wires, but remember to not touch your eyes if you touch wire looms later
moth ***** spread around on ground under and around truck
cover tires and coat with tire dressing (both sides)
disconnect batteries, easy to relearn and reset everything once hoked back up, then fully charge both batteries
top off fuel tank and add appropriate conditioner ( powerservice, hot shot, ford ,dealers choice)
clean inside and apply dressing to seats and dash . put in a window sun blocker and all windows if possible make sure no food or gum or trash is left inside
thats how my previous super duties sat for 6-9 months at a shot, in my garage
there is also a blurb in the OM that lists needed tasks
inside or out air tires to max, if parking on asphalt, use plastic blocks or wood to park on to prevent sinking
dryer sheets inside and in engine bay (remember where you put them) Irish spring soap bits in a small lid also works great at driving flies and mice away, but spiders like it? capsacian cream also works great at driving mice away, apply a small amount to the wires, but remember to not touch your eyes if you touch wire looms later
moth ***** spread around on ground under and around truck
cover tires and coat with tire dressing (both sides)
disconnect batteries, easy to relearn and reset everything once hoked back up, then fully charge both batteries
top off fuel tank and add appropriate conditioner ( powerservice, hot shot, ford ,dealers choice)
clean inside and apply dressing to seats and dash . put in a window sun blocker and all windows if possible make sure no food or gum or trash is left inside
thats how my previous super duties sat for 6-9 months at a shot, in my garage
there is also a blurb in the OM that lists needed tasks
Inside or out side I stick steal wool into the exhaust pipe and cover with an old sock.
I use the same thing they use in boats to keep the humidity at bay Damp Rid
I place a sheet of paper on the drivers seat with a list of what I did to put it in storage then make sure I check off everything when I take it out.
I had been storing a 2013 Shelby that way until I got rid of it last year.
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Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 19,682
Likes: 12,804
From: Wyoming
Even disconnected, lead acid batteries have a self discharge rate that, over a few months, will result in a battery that won't start a modern vehicle. Discharge rates of 4% per week to 1% per day are not unusual. A smart battery maintainer connected to the battery while still installed in the vehicle is a good solution.
My truck will sit for as long at 8 weeks in the winter with a CTEK MUS 4.3 connected to it. I've had no problems with that setup, but mine is in an unheated, but attached garage.
My truck will sit for as long at 8 weeks in the winter with a CTEK MUS 4.3 connected to it. I've had no problems with that setup, but mine is in an unheated, but attached garage.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 121
Likes: 35
Only a few months?
Trickle charger on either battery, they are tied together. Battery Tender or NOCO.
Full tank of fuel doped with a biocide and stabilizer.
Park it.
Mine sets from Nov 1 until Apr 1 every year.
Fires right up.
I do change oil if even close so it does not have a lot of acids coating everything.
Trickle charger on either battery, they are tied together. Battery Tender or NOCO.
Full tank of fuel doped with a biocide and stabilizer.
Park it.
Mine sets from Nov 1 until Apr 1 every year.
Fires right up.
I do change oil if even close so it does not have a lot of acids coating everything.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 4,197
Likes: 558
From: Central Wisconsin
If the concern is the battery going dead from sitting in storage without access to electricity, just pull the battery out of the truck altogether and take it home, put it on a trickle charger in your own garage.
The suggestions above are very good.
The suggestions above are very good.
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