Letting the tow truck sit

[mtlakejim]

How long is too long to let big bertha sit. We don't use the 1 ton very much at present since we are locked into one location due to work. Wife has a new SUV and I have a work truck. Is there an issue with letting the 1 ton diesel just sit there for extended time frames?

[TLightning]

Let it sit. Lots of diesels sit for months at a time....boats, tractors, motor homes, etc. If you insist on starting it, take it out on the highway and get the engine and trans temps up to normal. Don't start it and let it just sit.

[Creeker]

Our truck only has 30k miles. It has sit and sit and sit.
Only negative I've found was batteries failed premature which could
have easily been prevented with a battery tender.

[Ram Montana High Country]

My biggest thought - what is the diesel growing? I've seen post where have a second tank can be an issue if not used often enough. Maybe it is just like gas - keep it full so it has less chance to condensate or something. I've heard the biggest dis-service to a good diesel is not really loading it …

I don't know.

[1retired06]

Ours sits for weeks at a time.

[Dave W]

If you are in high heat areas. I would probably give an occasional good run to minimize 'diesel bug', microbial contamination. There are many other write ups as well by using the search term 'diesel bug'



https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microb...of_diesel_fuel

[mlh]

My truck sets for months at a time in the tractor shed. It only has 500 miles on it in the last 18 months. I keep a CTEK battery charger on it that I got at our Interstate battery distributor. It charges your battery while maintaining them. Some chargers will boil the water out and ruin them. These won’t do that and won’t ruin your battery.
Lynwood

[mhs4771]

We're parked for the Winter, so the TV doesn't get used to much. So since I have a Aux Tank, it's been filled and Diesel Stabil added.
Once it warms up, up North it will get to plenty of use as we travel much of the Summer.

[DQDick]

Since it gets below freezing at night here frequently, I take a 20 mile or so trip at least once every two weeks. The DEF tank on our truck has a heater and we have all kinds of other electronics and just like the rig I'm afraid the phantom loads will kill the batteries if the truck doesn't get exercised once in a while.

[PSFORD99]

Originally Posted by DQDick

Since it gets below freezing at night here frequently, I take a 20 mile or so trip at least once every two weeks. The DEF tank on our truck has a heater and we have all kinds of other electronics and just like the rig I'm afraid the phantom loads will kill the batteries if the truck doesn't get exercised once in a while.

Same here ,try to get it out once every week or so. I do keep the fuel tank full.

[richfaa]

Our F-350 sits most of the time since its primary job is pulling the Montana. We do take it for a ride for a few miles at least once a week. I just checked it before we did this post. We have been on our winter lot in Florida since October 20 it has moved 286 miles for about 95 miles a month.

[jeffba]

Ours used to get a regular work out, Hauling Monty to Dealer. Now the Monty has been on its journey to Goshen for almost 2 months, I take our TV out for some of the longer errands to make sure it gets hot.

[mtlakejim]

Originally Posted by DQDick

Since it gets below freezing at night here frequently, I take a 20 mile or so trip at least once every two weeks. The DEF tank on our truck has a heater and we have all kinds of other electronics and just like the rig I'm afraid the phantom loads will kill the batteries if the truck doesn't get exercised once in a while.

Yep Irene took big bertha out for a little spin today (lunch with me in Carlsbad). Besides now I have an excuse for those trips to Home Depot in Roswell!!!!!

[mtlakejim]

Originally Posted by Dave W

If you are in high heat areas. I would probably give an occasional good run to minimize 'diesel bug', microbial contamination. There are many other write ups as well by using the search term 'diesel bug'



https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microb...of_diesel_fuel

Hmmmm.....now this perked my interest. Just so you know, Oilfield Chemicals is my career (over 40 years worth)! I deal with biocides and bacterial contamination every day.

[lightsout]

Like in the Boating industry the worst thing is for them not to be run. However the #1 concern is treating the diesel in the tank. Diesel has a Bacteria in it and by not treating it will develop a "Sludge" that over time can be problematic and can get to the point that your fixtures cannot handle it. So make sure yo are treating the Fuel religiously for both the sludge and water, both can shut you down on the side of the road and a pain to deal with.

Our Boat holds 600 gallons of Diesel and I have the tanks cleaned and the what ever fuel is in there filtered every 5-7 years because that amount of fuel it takes us a while to use (generally 8-months to a year) and a clogged fuel system no fun.

You can also add a inline water separator as well to help with fuel conditioning.

Oh and never travel without spare Fuel filters with any Diesel Vehicle

[MidMOTraveler]

Once again the best reason to purchase fuel from busy truck stops.
They treat and maintain their tanks.

[mlh]

Like lightout said never travel without fuel filters and I will add turbo hoses.
Lynwood

[Hblick48]

I installed a 30 watt solar panel and charge controller. Never have to worry about batteries between rv trips.

[Renegade1LI]

I always keep a quart or two of diesel 911 & a spare fuel filter in addition to adding conditioner at each fill up. Most diesel problems tend to occur in the winter once it drops below 17 deg, untreated fuel will start to gel. Most stations in cold regions switch to treated fuel for the winter but a few times I got untreated fuel in canada & had to add 911. There is no down side to treating your fuel with a quality conditioner at each fill up like kleen diesel, use the silver bootle above 30 deg & the white below 30 deg. A couple times a year I add bio clean, than change the filters in a few weeks.

[DutchmenSport]

Now that we have the second truck, a Chevy Colorado - 4 door, the dually doesn't get used as much as it use to on a daily basis. It sits, unless traveling with the trailer or we get hit with snow.

But, regardless, I still try to drive it to work at least once ever 2 week. The trip is 44 miles round trip and the parking lot is ground level. This keeps things working tip-top and battery charged. In cold weather, I keep the fuel tank topped off.

I've known folks in the past that let their diesels sit for several months and once they get them running again (because of low batteries), the vehicle appears to be just fine.

If in doubt, just drive yours to work once ever couple weeks to keep everything running smooth.