Storing a Ram Cummins long term

[Bigtuna]

Hello all and Merry Christmas and happy Holidays.

I own a Ram 3500 with a CTD. I’ll be traveling long term out of country for about 5 months. What precautions if any would you take to keep the truck healthy?

Prior to leaving, I’m going to change the oil/filter and fuel filters.

What else should I be looking at?

Thanks!

 

[tchur1]

The things you mentioned plus a trickle charger for the battery

 

[techman]

Overinflate the tires to avoid flat spots.

Inside or outside storage? You migh want to take anti-rodent measures too.

5 months isn't that long term in reality.

 

[H3LZSN1P3R]

5 months is not long term. Just disconnect the batteries and you are good with a diesel maybe throw some bounce sheets in to keep the critters away

 

[Bigtuna]

Overinflate the tires to avoid flat spots.

Inside or outside storage? You migh want to take anti-rodent measures too.

5 months isn't that long term in reality.

Good idea!

It will be parked outside because my shop will be full.

 

[Bigtuna]

5 months is not long term. Just disconnect the batteries and you are good with a diesel maybe throw some bounce sheets in to keep the critters away

According to JD Powers it is.

 

[H3LZSN1P3R]

According to JD Powers it is.

Thats not a standard to follow lol

 

[Bigtuna]

Thats not a standard to follow lol

Well your standard was “just disconnect the batteries” . So that’s not saying a whole lot.

Move along now kid.

 

[Blythkd1]

5 months isn't long term. The batteries are really all you need to be concerned with for that length of time. If you want to take the weight off the tires, that's gravy.

The rodent thing is up to you. Only you know if there may be a rodent problem.

I'm sure the folks at JDP know more than those of us that have actually owned trucks for decades and busted knuckles on them though, LOL!

 

[Jacob]

I'd probably just fill the fuel tank. Put sun reflective thingy over the dash. Leave a note for the next guy in the glove box. In case you don't make it. Like the country song.

 

[Bigtuna]

So JDP was a bad example. It was the first thing I found when I googled long term vehicle storage.

I would agree on the old 12 valves when the truck was more or less 100% mechanical. When I had my 24 valve second gen I never did **** to it and left multiple times for 5 or 6 months at a time.

These new trucks are a whole new animal with many more systems and things to fail.

 

[Bigtuna]

5 months isn't long term.

Then what would you consider a long time to store a vehicle?

 

[AH64ID]

9-12 months starts getting into long term storage.

5 months isn’t enough to worry about seals, valve springs, etc.

Change the oil and filters if they will hit their 12 months while you’re gone.

Air the tires up helps, and park on something other than dirt.

Full fuel tank.

Fully charge and then disconnect the batteries, but know the truck may take a few cycles when you return to get all your accessories back.

I’d block the sun thru the windshield too.

When you get back make sure to look at months for maintenance intervals instead of just miles.

 

[H3LZSN1P3R]

Well your standard was “just disconnect the batteries” . So that’s not saying a whole lot.

Move along now kid.

One of the jobs i did as a mechanic was vehicle storage for troops when they went over seas usually avg 4-6 months thats short term as far as storage and just disconnecting the batteries is all you need to do on these vehicles

 

[wrvond]

I don’t know what part of the country you’re in but you might consider adding biocide to your fuel tank.
You could leave the batteries connected with a solar powered maintainer, but disconnecting them will work well too.
Fresh oil and filter will remove most of the combustion related acids from the crankcase.
Putting the truck up on jack stands will take the weight off bearings as well as tires. It will also prevent leeching to the ground.
Personally I’d put rodent pellets in the air filter box - remember to remove them prior to starting though.
Bags of mothballs could be effective but ensure they don’t come in contact with anything, especially plastic.
Do not put a tarp over your truck, it will trap moisture and lead to mold mildew and possibly rust issues.

 

[Brutal_HO]

Disconnect the batteries.

Mothball or dryer sheets for critters.

What year truck? If I had a 21+ going to storage I would always have that stupid solid state grid heater relay meltdown in the back of my mind, recall completed or not.

 

[Blythkd1]

Then what would you consider a long time to store a vehicle?

it's somewhat of an arbitrary number but certainly more than 6 months. In my opinion, like someone else said, probably 9 months or more. I just had a diesel dually sit for 10 months with nothing more than topping off the batteries done to it. Can't tell any negative effects at all. I have somewhat of a fleet with many of them sitting for at least weeks, sometimes months at a time with nothing special done to them. Rarely ever even have to charge batteries. I don't worry about anything for a few months, that's normal here. Didn't catch your model year but on my good truck, sitting outside would bother me more than anything else.

 

[Bigtuna]

One of the jobs i did as a mechanic was vehicle storage for troops when they went over seas usually avg 4-6 months thats short term as far as storage and just disconnecting the batteries is all you need to do on these vehicles

Dude I apologize. I for some reason thought you were being a smarty. I see now you’re experienced in the subject and being helpful.