Proper Winter Storage
 

We own a 2002 F-350 long bed dually that we use primarily to pull our 37’ 5th wheel for camping trips. Other than that is rarely used transport building material for home projects and take winter leaves to the local land fill.

There is a 97 gallon gravity feed external fuel tank in the bed of the truck. Last winter was colder than usual on the mid-east coast and when we tried to start up this past spring we had to charge the battery and there was a large amount of water in the fuel.

Right now there is about ½ tank of fuel in the primary tank, external tank is empty. We plan this winter to take the truck out for about a 20 mile drive every 2 weeks.

What else should we do over the winter, should we store it with the external tank full or empty? We use fuel additives, what do you consider the best additive for winter storage?

I don't drive my truck too much during the winter, but I don't do anything to it "storage" wise other than adding a winter additive to keep the fuel from gelling. I keep the tank full (no external tank, just stock) and will plug in the block heater and take it for a cruise once or twice a month. I've heard some say to change the oil and filters before winter. I don't do it...I actually change my oil/filter and fuel filter every other Spring as I put less than 3k on my truck each year. Spring is the perfect time for me to check everything and change before my first haul in May.

I store my truck for 4-6 months each winter. Temperature goes to -10 or so occasionally in the winter. All I do is fill the fuel tank, charge the batteries, and then disconnect them. I pull the PCM relay as a "no start" assurance. That's it. In April, I hook the batteries up, plug in the relay and leave the glow plugs on for a full cycle (until my LED tells me the relay has opened). Fires first time. If, when you are going to take your truck out of mothball it will still be cold, you might want to add Power Kleen (white bottle) before storing to be assured of non-gelled fuel. If that is the case, add the PK and drive it for awhile to make sure the treatment reaches the engine, not just in the tank.

Mine sits 4-6 weeks at a time in winter. Full fuel with white Diesel Kleen,oil change before storage, and a battery tender online.