Storing Diesel long term during COVID

[catkins]

Long range planner here. Asking questions on storing our diesel RV.

Usually head south for the winter. Looks likely a no go for us this fall due to health issues with potential Covid exposure. I have not winterized for years as we have not needed it. RV will likely stay stored for at least 6 months assuming a few short trips locally before end of October. Will do normal maintenance on RV chassis before storing. Assuming things do not dramatically change, we will be staying home this fall.

OK with winterizing but what should I do to treat the diesel fuel (Cummings 360 engine), what to do when when I unstore, and what else do I need to know? Long time RVer, newish to diesel land. All info will be gratefully accepted. If it sits all summer is there anything I should do now?

Think not doing significant RVing travel in our near future is the hardest part for us. Safe travels all. THANKS in advance for any advice on safely storing our Tiffin.

[Ray_IN]

magicbus wrote:

Ray,IN wrote:

jdc1 wrote:
I let my diesel Bobcat sit for almost a year. Charged the battery and fires right up every time.

Same with farmers combines,fill with fuel, disconnect neg battery cable, and forget about it until next harvest season.

The big difference being that a farmer doesn’t hop on a piece of farm equipment and drive it 1000 miles in 2 days. And, if they hit a clogged filter, they aren’t sitting in the middle of nowhere trying to change a fuel filter that they can’t access nearly as easily as on their combine, tractor or Bobcat. Having maintained two Cummins and a Yanmar I can state it’s a bit of an apples and oranges comparison.

Dave

That is my point, farmers who I know seldom have fuel problems, as they always fill fuel tanks prior to storage. I haven't had a fuel problem in years.

[magicbus]

Ray,IN wrote:

jdc1 wrote:
I let my diesel Bobcat sit for almost a year. Charged the battery and fires right up every time.

Same with farmers combines,fill with fuel, disconnect neg battery cable, and forget about it until next harvest season.

The big difference being that a farmer doesn’t hop on a piece of farm equipment and drive it 1000 miles in 2 days. And, if they hit a clogged filter, they aren’t sitting in the middle of nowhere trying to change a fuel filter that they can’t access nearly as easily as on their combine, tractor or Bobcat. Having maintained two Cummins and a Yanmar I can state it’s a bit of an apples and oranges comparison.

Dave

[Ray_IN]

jdc1 wrote:
I let my diesel Bobcat sit for almost a year. Charged the battery and fires right up every time.

Same with farmers combines,fill with fuel, disconnect neg battery cable, and forget about it until next harvest season.

[Stim]

Just have spare filters and know how to change them if needed.
Condensation might be an issue and it will stop at the filters.
I don't think I have ever changed a filter without dumping the contents in a clear container (2 ltr bottle cut off) and checking for water!
Just today I spotted water in a neighbors Kubota Tractor filter and poured contents into bottle to show her.
I have reused filters too when they were clear or not that old.

[wa8yxm]

magicbus wrote:
I put a bit of diesel biocide in my tank when I get home from my winter trip in case I don't travel before next winter. Although many do, I never bother fill the tank, just add a bit of fuel to wash down the biocide.

Dave

I do not use Diesel myself but we used it at the office when I was a working dispatcher at least every time Detroit Edison failed us we used it... I agree with Magicbus

I had a friend (Our paths diverged) who had a beautiful 25 year old blue bird bus that would not run right... Turns out to be his problem.. He had a pro out there workign on it getting no place and finally I pointed to the pre-filter in the fuel line.

Full of alge.

A bottle of algicide, a new filter and VAROOM

[catkins]

We normally spend the winter in AZ in an area with limited medical resources. Short trips near to home allows shopping curbside as we are now, not having to go inside businesses unless we feel comfortable. We hope things improve and we can go but are being watchful as the disease spread hopefully lessens. Hate getting older and needing to be more cautious. Still hoping the predicted second wave does not occur. No one has a crystal ball on this. Stay safe all.

[Branson_N_Tucso]

Not sure but you stated, you may take short trips this summer.what is the difference in taking the longer trip to Florida? Your out in public either trip.

[catkins]

Thanks all. Appreciate the wisdom here.

[Blaster_Man]

Biocide for sure, and to be safe fill the tank.

[noteven]

magicbus wrote:
I put a bit of diesel biocide in my tank when I get home from my winter trip in case I don't travel before next winter. Although many do, I never bother fill the tank, just add a bit of fuel to wash down the biocide.

Dave

This.

1000’s of pieces of diesel powered ag and construction equipment are parked for months without issues in winter lands.

Disconnect the batteries and give them a charge with a good “smart charger” a every month or two...

[richclover]

catkins wrote:
Long range planner here. Asking questions on storing our diesel RV.

Usually head south for the winter. Looks likely a no go for us this fall due to health issues with potential Covid exposure. I have not winterized for years as we have not needed it. RV will likely stay stored for at least 6 months assuming a few short trips locally before end of October. Will do normal maintenance on RV chassis before storing. Assuming things do not dramatically change, we will be staying home this fall.

OK with winterizing but what should I do to treat the diesel fuel (Cummings 360 engine), what to do when when I unstore, and what else do I need to know? Long time RVer, newish to diesel land. All info will be gratefully accepted. If it sits all summer is there anything I should do now?

Think not doing significant RVing travel in our near future is the hardest part for us. Safe travels all. THANKS in advance for any advice on safely storing our Tiffin.

Go south, as usual, for the winter.

[Executive45]

Western Washington doesn't get cold enough to winterize it. Make sure the fuel tank is full otherwise condensation will form inside the tank. Water is not a diesel's friend. I put a little mineral oil in all the P traps and the toilet so they don't dry out. Take her out when you can.....Dennis

[jdc1]

I let my diesel Bobcat sit for almost a year. Charged the battery and fires right up every time.

[Ivylog]

Keep the tank full and don’t worry about diesel going bad, even biodiesel for that length of time. I plan on winterizing my DP next winter by going to Florida as usual. Could go now from one red state to another but summer is not my favorite time there.

After the election you will miraculously be able to travel so “don’t worry” about going south or your diesel going bad.

PS: Hong Kong which is very similar size to NYC, had 1000 cases of C19 and 4 deaths. They quarantine for 3 months an infected person... did not put back into a nursing home.:S