winter storage tips and advice

monkeymissile · Post by **monkeymissile** » Mon Nov 10, 2008 7:05 am

Unfortunately my truck is going to have to sit out (covered) again this winter. Any tips for doing so with regards to it's fluids? Truck is in NH so it'll get plenty cold. Thanks.

Tom @ Snake River · Post by **Tom @ Snake River** » Mon Nov 10, 2008 7:09 am

Make sure that the batteries are clean and disconnect a terminal if it is going to sit awhile.
It might be good to circulate some gasoline stableizer through the system.
Gas tanks are better off to the full side.

Do as I say, not as I do

monkeymissile · Post by **monkeymissile** » Mon Nov 10, 2008 7:24 am

Tom,
thanks, I will take out both batteries and run some stabilizer through. I guess my main concern is the coolant; I'd hate to risk cracking the block. Last winter it did fine with several gallons of coolant drained from it. I have a circulating block heater, but haven't installed it. I may not have time either.[/i]

Lifer · Post by **Lifer** » Mon Nov 10, 2008 8:44 am

Coolant shouldn't be a big problem unless it gets really cold. All the stuff on the market nowadays is good to at least -40 degrees when mixed 50/50 with water. If you have temps below that for extended periods of time, the circulating block heater should be able to handle the chore.

Lifer · Post by **Lifer** » Mon Nov 10, 2008 8:46 am

Coolant shouldn't be a big problem unless it gets really cold. All the stuff on the market nowadays is good to at least -40 degrees when mixed 50/50 with water. If you have temps below that for extended periods of time, the circulating block heater should be able to handle the chore.

With regard to the heater, make sure it's plumbed so that it circulates through the radiator and heater core (if you have one). That way those parts are protected, as well.

monkeymissile · Post by **monkeymissile** » Mon Nov 10, 2008 8:48 am

Lifer wrote:Coolant shouldn't be a big problem unless it gets really cold. All the stuff on the market nowadays is good to at least -40 degrees when mixed 50/50 with water. If you have temps below that for extended periods of time, the circulating block heater should be able to handle the chore.

-40 is not likely, it's southern NH so maybe 10 or 15 below overnight, but not for an extended time (now watch us have a record cold snap!).
Thanks, I think I should be all set.

VROD02 · Post by **VROD02** » Mon Nov 10, 2008 10:03 am

If its got a desent paint job look out for tarp chaffing. One of my trucks got buffed to bare metal on the hood in two places.

monkeymissile · Post by **monkeymissile** » Mon Nov 10, 2008 10:16 am

VROD02 wrote:If its got a desent paint job look out for tarp chaffing. One of my trucks got buffed to bare metal on the hood in two places. :oops:

Wow, must be pretty windy where you are! Fortunately it's due for a repainting anyway, but I usually put something between the tarp and truck, like an old carpet. Thanks.

refit1701 · Post by **refit1701** » Mon Nov 10, 2008 10:24 am

Take care that the carpet doesn't hold moisture against the paint....

monkeymissile · Post by **monkeymissile** » Mon Nov 10, 2008 10:41 am

refit1701 wrote:Take care that the carpet doesn't hold moisture against the paint....

Will do. Actually it isn't a regular tarp; I have it under one of those cheap steel tube tents. Part of it collapsed last winter when I couldn't get the snow off in time, but I plan to rig something up to keep the tarp off the truck. We're rebuilding the shed that will be it's permanent home, but that won't be finished until late summer.

Nickathome · Post by **Nickathome** » Mon Nov 10, 2008 11:23 am

monkeymissile wrote:
refit1701 wrote:Take care that the carpet doesn't hold moisture against the paint....
Will do. Actually it isn't a regular tarp; I have it under one of those cheap steel tube tents. Part of it collapsed last winter when I couldn't get the snow off in time, but I plan to rig something up to keep the tarp off the truck. We're rebuilding the shed that will be it's permanent home, but that won't be finished until late summer.

Does the tube tent thing have walls? If not you can make decent walls out of one of those blue tarps and a grommet kit. I made some for the portable garage top that I used to paint my truck in and it worked pretty well.

monkeymissile · Post by **monkeymissile** » Mon Nov 10, 2008 11:31 am

Nickathome wrote:
monkeymissile wrote:
refit1701 wrote:Take care that the carpet doesn't hold moisture against the paint....
Will do. Actually it isn't a regular tarp; I have it under one of those cheap steel tube tents. Part of it collapsed last winter when I couldn't get the snow off in time, but I plan to rig something up to keep the tarp off the truck. We're rebuilding the shed that will be it's permanent home, but that won't be finished until late summer.
Does the tube tent thing have walls? If not you can make decent walls out of one of those blue tarps and a grommet kit. I made some for the portable garage top that I used to paint my truck in and it worked pretty well.

yes, I got the one with walls and zippered ends. I was doing a good job of keeping up with the snow when I missed it one weekend after a big storm. Then it rained and that tubing snapped like dry pasta. What a pain. I can't wait for a dry space with a smooth concrete floor!

Tom @ Snake River · Post by **Tom @ Snake River** » Mon Nov 10, 2008 12:13 pm

You would be bettter off leaving the cooant system full of a good aniti-freeze mix.
In the last several years and even yesterday was have looked at the old honeycomb radiators where before the advent of anti-freeze, the old boys would pour in water and then hopefully drain it out before freezing weather.
My wife had a 27 Chev radiator that was damaged beyond repair, but then we were looking at a 46 Dodge 2WD with a honeycomb that looked fairly decent.
However you do not know untill a radiator shop pressureizes it and checks it out.

uglyranger · Post by **uglyranger** » Mon Nov 10, 2008 3:08 pm

The government says there is a "global warming", so there is no need to worry about freezing this winter.

DJ · Post by DJ » Mon Nov 10, 2008 6:59 pm

Fill it with a 50/50 mix of antifreeze mixture and it will be fine. If it gets cold enough for that mixture to freeze enough to do damage you will want to head south . Your heat bill will be so high you'll have to burn the tires and seats to survive.

DJ