Exercising your RV while at campsite

I have a 1972 Cat D7 bulldozer that has sat for several years between jobs many times... I recently cranked it up and moved it to my shop and the engine has never been apart. Every winter farm equipment often sit for 5-6 months without starting.

While snowbirding for three months I start the engine the day before I plan to leave to go home, mainly to air it up. Occasionally it has sat for six months without being started. Not being able to use it bothers me more than not starting it.

Starting a MH every 30 days should be considered a old wives tail... about like changing the oil every year regardless of miles driven once out of warranty.

PS: I do not exercise my generator every 30 days either... it has a diesel engine. I have a portable welder that sits outside and it's older than my D7 and guess what... it's sat for years too and still works. OK, sometimes I have to put a battery to the leads because the magnetism has collapsed.

What do the thousands of diesel motor home owners do all winter in the north. They just sit in storage or on the dealer lot. What about farm diesel equipment sitting all winter freezing. These are never "exercised".

When we were living in our DP I would run the engine up to temp at least once a month letting it run for 30-45 mins until temp was up to normal. I would run the Gen at least once a month for about the same amount of time. I also moved the RV and took it for a short 20-25 mile run down the Interstate every 3 Months at least if parked for very long. Did not have to do that much as we normally went some where before the 3 months time. JMO

NO, both Caterpillar and Cummins recommend against starting the diesel unless you can drive a minimum of 25 highway miles. It takes that much to get the oil (not just coolant) up to operating temperature. Anything less and you just add moisture to the crankcase.

Also, suggest keeping the diesel fuel tank full to reduce condensation.

The generator can be exercised anywhere-- just get it going and turn on a minimum of 50% load to exercise it.

I think it is good idea to run it for a while occasionally, but please do so during daylight, and if possible when the wind will carry exhaust funes away from other campers. If you are parked in a restricted space, with others nearby, then I probably would not. I also like to exercise the genny occasionally, but not when it would annoy others close by.