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If you leave it somewhere that the truck can get reception, you could also use the app to start it maybe once a month and let it run for about 15 minutes at a time... Before parking it, make sure all fluids are full and you have a full tank of fresh fuel with additives like others mentioned. Maybe even drain off a little of your WIF just to make sure you don't see any water. I would even do a regen on the truck right before you park it so that your DPF filter is nowhere close to full. You can even leave the inside fan set to high so when you crank the truck it circulates some air inside the truck. You could even get one of those Damp Rid containers and put it inside the truck to help absorb any moisture that may build up inside. And like mentioned above, make sure your tires are aired up to the max psi. If you are parking the vehicle outside maybe think about putting tire covers over the tires, or even a cover over the truck... (however, I have always been leary of them because over time with lots of wind the cover can actually scratch the vehicle...) Some even recommend to put the vehicle up on blocks so that the weight of the vehicle is not put on the tires and cause flat spots, which could also ruin the tires with enough time. (Then again, if you put it on blocks, it's one less thing thieves need to do to steal your wheels!) Maybe don't set the parking brake either as I have heard that leaving it set for long periods of time can cause the brakes to freeze up and stick.
Assuming you are parked somewhere that you can trust the vehicle, and that the Ford Pass app will consistently work on both, your end, and the trucks end, this may be a feasible way to store your truck. Plus, with the app you will be able to monitor the fuel levels, location and get notified if any warning or anything pop up with your truck, not to mention start and stop the truck. Maybe you could even talk a friend or family member to ride down and check it out once or twice while you are away...
Didn't even know about the Ford App and auto start - I will have to check that out as it could be the ticket.
Originally Posted by morehouse7
Unless you are super attached to the truck, I would sell it and order another when you return. You will probably make out really well and won't have to worry about the thing. Were it me and living in that climate, I would store it in secure conditioned storage with someone checking on it and exercising it regularly.
This is just me and my thoughts on it.
Yeah I was always sort of thinking that - I am a Canadian down here (Canadian truck) and it did seem a bit complicated to sell down here. Any idea where I can get a ballpark price?
Originally Posted by helifixer
honestly if I was leaving for a year I would see what I could sell it for in this hyper inflated market and take the chance that the market will be better in a year. invest the money and let it compound and get a new truck next year.
what does your insurance say about it being parked for a year? will vandalism or theft be covered?
as far as letting it set, my '99 sat for 3 years, put batteries in it and started it and drove it. I am in Arizona so no microbial growth in the fuel.
Ok good to know - yeah I talked to insurance and they said if its being stored then its covered for that long.
Originally Posted by minke
Find out how much lead acid batteries self-discharge in a month. I made the attached spreadsheet presuming 5%/month. Then decide how much discharge you are comfortable with. 50% at the end of a year sounds good to me.
NOTE: if the batteries aren't disconnected then there will be parasitic loads in addition to self-discharge. If you disconnect the batteries then expect the radio memories to have forgotten everything and the transmission will have forgotten whatever-the-hell it remembers about your right foot.
Previous recommendations to protect your fuel from turning into vegetable soup are right on.
Thanks yeah I would be OK with 50% and I hope to not be gone for the full year. Will do on the additive
I disagree with the full fuel tank theory. I would add the storage additives to about 1/8 of a tank. Otherwise you will have 400 miles of stale gas to burn through instead of filling up the tank with fresh when you get back.
I would inflate the tires to max service pressure and put the truck on jack stands
RV people often use a product called "Damp Rid" which chemically collects moisture and stores in in a bag. No clue how it works, But it should keep the interior from getting musty. I would do my best to shade the interior as best I could. Maybe get a heavy wax on the paint, too.
I'm undecided about batteries. Disconnected with a solar trickle charger would be my best bet.
I wonder if you could save money on insurance, since your only exposure is theft, vandalism or natural disaster, none of which are going to get you sued. Worth asking.
I disagree with the full fuel tank theory. I would add the storage additives to about 1/8 of a tank. Otherwise you will have 400 miles of stale gas to burn through instead of filling up the tank with fresh when you get back.
Diesel fuel does not get stale like gas. Water in the fuel is a problem for diesels. A full tank will help to minimize condensation of water in the tank.
This is going to seem like a super basic question - but how the heck do I disconnect the batteries? Its like they have a lock on them or something. Loosen off the screws and they wont budge at all. There is a black bar that looks like it is locking the cables in place. Man I feel like an idiot
What in the h*ll am I missing here?
NEVERMIND - took about 15 mins of prying with a screwdriver and hammer to get it to pop.
This is going to seem like a super basic question - but how the heck do I disconnect the batteries? Its like they have a lock on them or something. Loosen off the screws and they wont budge at all. There is a black bar that looks like it is locking the cables in place. Man I feel like an idiot
What in the h*ll am I missing here?
gently tap the bar that had the nut on it. to make sure its loose then open up the jaw a bit and boom she will come off
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