Jump to content

Wintering the truck suggestion?


trimster

Recommended Posts

Other than plugging in the block heater and 4amp trickle charger for the batteries, what else should I do for the truck that's setting the winter in the driveway?

Fuel tanks are 3/4 full.

On my international, I added some anti-gel stuff to the fuel... plugged in the block heater and let it set for the winter. I'd start it every week or so and let it idle.

Right now it's 19 degrees with a 8-20 mph wind. Chill factor is... friggen' cold.

Bob who is cold

Robert & Lisa
'14 Keystone Fuzion 315 38' 5er

2015 Volvo VNL 670, D13, iShift 'The Tartis' (ours)

2013 Smart Fortwo Passion 'K-9'

2011 CanAm Spyder RT Limited (Ours)

We are both USAF vets.

LbjZhp0l.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Don't bother with the block heater until a few hours before starting.  Your electric bill will thank you.

Don't start the engine unless you're going to drive it a good bit, say 10-20 miles.

 

KW T-680, POPEMOBILE
Newmar X-Aire, VATICAN
Lots of old motorcycles, Moto Guzzi Griso and Spyder F3 currently in the front row
Young enough to play in the dirt as a retired farmer.
contact me at rickeieio1@comcast.net

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Big power bill from leaving the block heater powered, unless you plan on travelling. Pull the battery cables, make sure your coolant is up to snuff, walk away.

I have been wrong before, I'll probably be wrong again. 

2000 Kenworth T 2000 w/N-14 and 10 speed Gen1 Autoshift, deck built by Star Fabrication
2006 smart fourtwo cdi cabriolet
2007 32.5' Fleetwood Quantum


Please e-mail us here.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

if you are going to drive the truck when its cold (say below 10 degrees) then get some blended fuel or #1 fuel in the tanks and run through the fuel system (don't need to be full; but enough to not gel during your target temps)

don't bother with anti gel bottles; you will end up with bigger issues in the long run (reduction of lubricity, as example); #1 or blended fuel is a way better option

If you are not going to drive the truck when its cold then don't bother with the fuel and don't start it; leaving it sit over winter doesn't hurt a thing (cold starts are way more damaging then no start; especially when its cold).  I'm not following the start and let idle concept;  all that does is add unburnt fuel to your engine oil.  Without getting to operating temp your oil is getting more and more polluted and not evaporating anything out.

a block heater plugged in just because has zero value; 4 hours before startup is plenty

best option for the batteries is to top them off then disconnect; if that isn't possible then trickle charger

 

I'm up in ND; it gets crazy cold here (-40F without wind chill); the majority of our heavy equipment doesn't get run over the winters.  Cold startups is hard on equipment, minimize them.  My HDT would sit from Oct through May every year, fresh oil change and batteries on a trickle charger; #2 fuel in the tanks, didn't have a single startup issue.

Edited by steiny93

2000 volvo 610
2013 cyclone 3950

 

ontheroad.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

We always filled the diesel tanks and kept the batteries charged.  Our farm equipment usually started and ran fine the next year.  If the oil has a lot of miles or hours we changed that before winter.  Starting the engine just to start it is hard on it.  Just leave it be.  As others said don't plug in the heater.

Randy

2001 Volvo VNL 42 Cummins ISX Autoshift

Link to comment
Share on other sites

When it gets a bone chilling 66° Fahrenheit in Central Florida, we start the truck and we have a 32 mile loop down past the phosphate mines.

Gives the truck a chance to shake off the dust and burn off some cobwebs. Oh and puts a smile on my face.

🤓

2006 Volvo VNL 780, " Arvey"  Volvo D12, 465hp, 1650 ft/lbs tq., ultrashift

2003 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon

2010 Forest River Coachman Freedom Express 280RLS

Jackalopee

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 minute ago, Parrformance said:

When it gets a bone chilling 66° Fahrenheit in Central Florida,....

🤓

Ya, we'll see 66 about March. 

Thanks 😊 

Robert & Lisa
'14 Keystone Fuzion 315 38' 5er

2015 Volvo VNL 670, D13, iShift 'The Tartis' (ours)

2013 Smart Fortwo Passion 'K-9'

2011 CanAm Spyder RT Limited (Ours)

We are both USAF vets.

LbjZhp0l.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, Parrformance said:

we start the truck and we have a 32 mile loop down past the phosphate mines.

We've heard about folks who hang out around the phosphate mines...........:-O

KW T-680, POPEMOBILE
Newmar X-Aire, VATICAN
Lots of old motorcycles, Moto Guzzi Griso and Spyder F3 currently in the front row
Young enough to play in the dirt as a retired farmer.
contact me at rickeieio1@comcast.net

Link to comment
Share on other sites

9 hours ago, rickeieio said:

We've heard about folks who hang out around the phosphate mines...........:-O

LOL, if it's on the interwebs it's gotta be true...

2006 Volvo VNL 780, " Arvey"  Volvo D12, 465hp, 1650 ft/lbs tq., ultrashift

2003 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon

2010 Forest River Coachman Freedom Express 280RLS

Jackalopee

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Throw some blended fuel in it and call it good. I drive mine a couple times through the winter. Don't go anywhere special just a Sunday drive to keep everything working.

You dont need to plug it in unless you are going to start it. Even then I plug it in a few hours ahead of when I want to go.

Farmer, Trucker, Equipment operator, Mechanic

Quando omni flunkus moritati-When all else fails, play dead
I'm a man, but I can change, if I have to, I guess.

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Top off the fuel tanks to help prevent condensation.

Plug in the battery tender

Put her away with a fresh oil change. less acids and carbon in the oil.

Do not keep the block heater plugged in. Its actually bad for it. The cold block will retain a film of oil better then a warm block will. If the engine block is kept warm it should be started often. With our generators Cat and Cummins both say to run a warm engine ATLEAST once a week for 20 minutes. They say if its going to be stored and not run often its best to let it be cold.

I start mine maybe twice a winter just to let it build air and warm up. But its not really necessary.

2016 Road Warrior 420

2001 Volvo VNL 660

Alaska Based.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks folks...I'm going to keep it simple. As it should be apparently.

Guess you don't need to keep the fridge running when it's....22* outside. Doh.

Burrrr Bob

Robert & Lisa
'14 Keystone Fuzion 315 38' 5er

2015 Volvo VNL 670, D13, iShift 'The Tartis' (ours)

2013 Smart Fortwo Passion 'K-9'

2011 CanAm Spyder RT Limited (Ours)

We are both USAF vets.

LbjZhp0l.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

At the risk of being considered a wise guy we have lots of room in the RGV. Lots of warm weather. Bring your golf clubs.

 

Brad and Jacolyn
Tucker the Wonder dog and Brynn the Norfolk Terrier
2009 Smart "Joy"
2004 VNL630 "Vonda the Volvo"
2008 Hitch Hiker 35 CK Champagne Edition
VED12 465 HP, Freedomline, 3.73 ratio, WB 218"
Fulltiming and loving it.

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Bob, I know this "probably" is poor advice but its the same as when I see someone how to winterize their trailer......

"Go south" !!

To "winterize",  here on the south coast, the most we usually do is fold up the lawn chairs. 

Stay warm.

Edited by Big5er

MY PEOPLE SKILLS ARE JUST FINE.
~It's my tolerance to idiots that needs work.~

2005 Volvo 780 VED12 465hp / Freedomline transmission
singled mid position / Bed by Larry Herrin
2018 customed Mobile Suites 40KSSB3 

2014 smart Fortwo

 

 
 
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Agree totally. We were planning on a touch-n-go at the house, but other things are keeping us 'chillin' for a few months. And I started the truck bed build. Which, for me, is way fun.

Robert & Lisa
'14 Keystone Fuzion 315 38' 5er

2015 Volvo VNL 670, D13, iShift 'The Tartis' (ours)

2013 Smart Fortwo Passion 'K-9'

2011 CanAm Spyder RT Limited (Ours)

We are both USAF vets.

LbjZhp0l.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 10/29/2020 at 7:12 AM, Brad & Jacolyn said:

At the risk of being considered a wise guy we have lots of room in the RGV. Lots of warm weather. Bring your golf clubs.

 

Go have some ribs for us at Rudy's.... we're stuck up north this winter....

4 hours ago, Big5er said:

Bob, I know this "probably" is poor advice but its the same as when I see someone how to winterize their trailer......

"Go south" !!

To "winterize",  here on the south coast, the most we usually do is fold up the lawn chairs. 

Stay warm.

Gotta do something to keep all those pine needles out of the chairs....

Alie & Jim + 8 paws

2017 DRV Memphis 

BART- 1998 Volvo 610

Lil'ole 6cyl Cummins

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
RVers Online University

campgroundviews.com

RV Destinations

Find out more or sign up for Escapees RV'ers Bootcamp.

Advertise your product or service here.

The Rvers- Now Streaming

RVTravel.com Logo



×
×
  • Create New...