Letting my truck sit for 6 months over winter

In some markets One-Bite is sold as "Barr Bait". Check with a feed store (even in urban areas there are feed stores).

Used to do this with my diesel truck. Don't run it for a "few minutes" periodically. Worst thing you can do.

Fresh oil change.
Fill the tires to their max rating.
Fill the fuel tank to prevent condensation (I also used a stabilizer).
Charge and disconnect the batteries. Or use a good battery tender.
Cover as you see fit (I just put the window shade up).

Come spring, check the tire pressure, check fluids, make sure the batteries are charged and then plan to go for a good drive. You want to get the motor heat soaked to remove any moisture buildup from over the winter.

Good information Winged One, thanks

glazier wrote:
If you install a trickle charger with a 2 battery system, does it matter which battery you hook it to ?

No. I hook to one with a Battery Tender Jr. and it sits all winter.

I also have been storing vehicles during the winter for 23 years. What has worked without fail for me in Michigan:

1) Change oil (run a bit to move the oil around and clean off the deposits).

2) Fill the tank and add Stabil (gas or diesel specific). Let run through system.

3) Attach Battery Tender.

4) Cover if you want (mine are indoor). I highly recommend Car Jackets for those of us with classic cars.

5) D-Con (though I will try the one bite noted above). D-Con works everytime. No luck with Tomcat (mice no interest).

6) Leave it alone till its time to start and drive in the Spring.

No failures.

If you install a trickle charger with a 2 battery system, does it matter which battery you hook it to ?

My understanding is a full tank helps keep water from condensing in the air space. Not sure if this is a concern with the sealed tanks now, but couldn't hurt.

Thanks for all the responses guys! Good to know the tires will be OK.

I'll pull the batteries and put down some bait. I've had chipmunks nest inside the truck when it's been parked for two weeks. Who knows what will move in over winter.

Someone mentioned filling up the tank. Is this necessary with diesel?

I'll see what the book says about the a/c compressor, but my AC doesn't work anyway (have to pull the dash to fix a leak).

bguy wrote:
Mine has a section about what to do to help prevent the AC compressor from seizing up.

Move to Florida? Sorry, couldn't help myself!! :B:B:B Happy Thanksgiving to all.

Read the section in your owner's manual about long term storage. Mine has a section about what to do to help prevent the AC compressor from seizing up.

mkirsch wrote:
Do NOT put the bait near the truck! They call it BAIT for a reason: It ATTRACTS the mice.

Respective disagree.
Mice are going to come into ANY warm closed area for the winter that they can get into, whether there is food or not. They do NOT need food present for them to come in, they are looking to nest.

They are not coons etc that ARE attracted to food. You place poison bait because you want them dead BEFORE they start nesting and start chewing and before they do any damage.

I did NOT bait first 2 years snowbirding truck stored inside a closed storage unit. = chewed wires and mouse droppings all over the engine both times. Mice inside generator on MH damaged the gen, no food in there yet they were!

3rd year snowbirding I Baited the truck = KILLED them BEFORE they could get to my wires. No damage that year, bait had been eaten.

Sorry I will continue to put out poison bait inside the storage unit as does the storage company does outside each unit. It's to PREVENT them from getting in to nest and cause damage.