Leaving newer truck unused for extended period of time, how bad is this?
04-27-2017, 07:20 PM
#1
Leaving newer truck unused for extended period of time, how bad is this?
Basically had purchased a new truck last year and am now set to go overseas shortly for a year. Looking for some advice/opinions on the matter. Have a 2016 f150 with approx 13000km and am located in Toronto, Canada so potentially lots of snow in the winter. Unfortunately due to it being a super crew with 6.5 bed I am unable to park in my garage and trying to figure out what my best option would be. Appreciate and advice/opinions on the matter.
Ideally I would like to keep truck but I think my options right now are:
Leave in my driveway unused
Put the truck in storage
Leave with my father and have him drive it once a week
Sell the truck and cut my losses
1. If I were to leave the truck in my driveway unused: (obviously would fill the tank and use fuel stabilizer, get a fresh oil change just before, and get rust sprayed again just prior to leaving as well as clean and wax truck thoroughly)
How bad would this be for the vehicle? What mechanically could go wrong? Is there anything specific on these trucks I should be concerned about?
What sort of storage methods would be recommended?
Would flat spots likely to appear? (have read that this will happen but have also read that with new radial tires this won't happen)
Are jack stands necessary? Is this bad for the suspension? What are the pros and cons?
Should I remove the battery? Put on trickle charger? Or is it ok to just allow battery to die and jump it upon return?
What preventative methods could I take for the disc brakes? Mechanic had told me this would be my biggest concern as they are likely to rust? Would I have to get brakes done after leaving them for this amount of time?
Should I be getting a car cover? Have been looking into covercraft covers however they are quite expensive for our vehicles, any recommendations on covers?
Should I be leaving the window cracked slightly? Have read this to allow moisture to leave interior. Have also been told leave dryer sheets to avoid critters/mice and cat litter and silica get packets to absurd moisture?
Mothball or stainless steel scrubbing pads in exhaust?
Should I be concerned about any fluids in my truck?
Cost of going this route would be:
jack stands and a better car cover so approx $600-700 CAD
Cons would be: Brakes potentially going bad? What else?
2. Putting the truck in storage
Cost of this route would be:
Regular secured storage approx $100/month = $1200 CAD
Temperature controlled storage approx $180/month = $2160 CAD
Plus cheaper indoor car cover approx $300
Same questions as above and
Is temperature controlled storage really worth it?
Will my brakes still potentially go bad?
Cons would be: Cost, Brakes potentially going bad? What else?
3. Leaving truck with father
Cost of this route would be:
Leaving car insured fully approx $160/month = 1920 CAD
Cons would be:
Truck is not cared for the same as I would, additional mileage, and cost
4. Selling truck
Cons would be:
Loosing money on truck, having to find a new vehicle upon return
Would prefer to keep truck but maybe this isn't such a good idea?
Any input would be appreciated. Thanks in advance!
Ideally I would like to keep truck but I think my options right now are:
Leave in my driveway unused
Put the truck in storage
Leave with my father and have him drive it once a week
Sell the truck and cut my losses
1. If I were to leave the truck in my driveway unused: (obviously would fill the tank and use fuel stabilizer, get a fresh oil change just before, and get rust sprayed again just prior to leaving as well as clean and wax truck thoroughly)
How bad would this be for the vehicle? What mechanically could go wrong? Is there anything specific on these trucks I should be concerned about?
What sort of storage methods would be recommended?
Would flat spots likely to appear? (have read that this will happen but have also read that with new radial tires this won't happen)
Are jack stands necessary? Is this bad for the suspension? What are the pros and cons?
Should I remove the battery? Put on trickle charger? Or is it ok to just allow battery to die and jump it upon return?
What preventative methods could I take for the disc brakes? Mechanic had told me this would be my biggest concern as they are likely to rust? Would I have to get brakes done after leaving them for this amount of time?
Should I be getting a car cover? Have been looking into covercraft covers however they are quite expensive for our vehicles, any recommendations on covers?
Should I be leaving the window cracked slightly? Have read this to allow moisture to leave interior. Have also been told leave dryer sheets to avoid critters/mice and cat litter and silica get packets to absurd moisture?
Mothball or stainless steel scrubbing pads in exhaust?
Should I be concerned about any fluids in my truck?
Cost of going this route would be:
jack stands and a better car cover so approx $600-700 CAD
Cons would be: Brakes potentially going bad? What else?
2. Putting the truck in storage
Cost of this route would be:
Regular secured storage approx $100/month = $1200 CAD
Temperature controlled storage approx $180/month = $2160 CAD
Plus cheaper indoor car cover approx $300
Same questions as above and
Is temperature controlled storage really worth it?
Will my brakes still potentially go bad?
Cons would be: Cost, Brakes potentially going bad? What else?
3. Leaving truck with father
Cost of this route would be:
Leaving car insured fully approx $160/month = 1920 CAD
Cons would be:
Truck is not cared for the same as I would, additional mileage, and cost
4. Selling truck
Cons would be:
Loosing money on truck, having to find a new vehicle upon return
Would prefer to keep truck but maybe this isn't such a good idea?
Any input would be appreciated. Thanks in advance!
04-27-2017, 07:38 PM
#3
Don't let your battery die, it could freeze in the winter and become a serious problem when it thaws. A trickle charger would be recommended with the battery disconnected. I would get a car cover and leave it with your Dad - unless your pops doesn't mind washing off bird crap and other environmental debris that will permanently etch into the paint. Wouldn't fill it full of gas, I believe that was more of an issue with metal gas tanks. Leave it near empty and put fresh gas when return.
04-27-2017, 08:20 PM
#4
Gone Golfin
iTrader: (3)
If the truck is going to sit the manual tells you how to prepare the truck.
04-27-2017, 08:22 PM
#5
Senior Member
I'd go with truck in storage. The cost should be a least partially offset by by reduced insurance premiums for the time it is being stored. Gas is the only thing that may go bad if it sits for a year in storage. If there is power, I would also leave a trickle charger on the battery set to auto.
04-27-2017, 08:57 PM
#6
No fart cans allowed
Prep it for storage and park it. Air the tires up to maximum sidewall psi. Buy a decent battery maintainer, not a trickle charger, and leave it hooked up. The truck will be fine when you get back. A Ctek 3300 is a good battery maintainer.
04-27-2017, 09:01 PM
#7
Fill tank, put in stabilizer, air tires to max, put in storage and pull battery out.
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04-27-2017, 09:33 PM
#8
I'm generally not a fan of storing gas motors for an extended period of time. One year of sitting is a lot for a truck IMO.
I could see three choices.
1. Leave it with your dad and take the chance (you should be able to determine what care your dad would do with your truck by seeing how he takes cares of other things). My dad for example would ruin my truck so I definitely wouldn't leave it with him. I rather sell it and not deal with the headache/loss coming back.
2. Lease it to a good friend, family, or so. Make them put down a "security deposit" and lease it to them for a good price. That way they get a deal to use your truck and you have someone run your truck. When you come back and your truck is the same as you leased it, give back full deposit. If not, do some deductions.
3. Store your truck. But before your do, put the best possible gas (premium non ethanol) along with fuel stabilizer (I used just about every damn product out there and for stabilizing I prefer Startron). I would do this for the last 2-3 tanks. And store it full. Less air the better. Cover you truck with a cover if possible. Cover the tires. Take out battery.
Good luck.
I could see three choices.
1. Leave it with your dad and take the chance (you should be able to determine what care your dad would do with your truck by seeing how he takes cares of other things). My dad for example would ruin my truck so I definitely wouldn't leave it with him. I rather sell it and not deal with the headache/loss coming back.
2. Lease it to a good friend, family, or so. Make them put down a "security deposit" and lease it to them for a good price. That way they get a deal to use your truck and you have someone run your truck. When you come back and your truck is the same as you leased it, give back full deposit. If not, do some deductions.
3. Store your truck. But before your do, put the best possible gas (premium non ethanol) along with fuel stabilizer (I used just about every damn product out there and for stabilizing I prefer Startron). I would do this for the last 2-3 tanks. And store it full. Less air the better. Cover you truck with a cover if possible. Cover the tires. Take out battery.
Good luck.
04-27-2017, 10:11 PM
#9
Senior Member
Just to add a bit more... dryer sheets are a great idea for freshness. Mothballs around the perimeter of the storage unit will help deter rodents too.
