Parking vehicle for 3 months

I understand that this has been brought up a few times over the years in this forum, but anyone have any experience leaving their truck parked for this long (3 months)? I’m aware of the potential issues with tires getting flat spots, fuel stabilizer, fresh engine oil, battery, and so on. For vehicles (like my own) with upgraded suspensions like fox, king, etc. take any sort of damage from just sitting and not being put through the paces periodically? I’d prefer to have someone who could drive the truck a few times per month, but it’s looking like I won’t have that option. Can I expect to give attention to any particular system on the truck after roughly 80-85 days of not moving?

 

Rodents can be an issue

 

I'd say put a battery tender on it, maybe put it on jack stands if you want to be super anal, and some stabil in the gas tank.

 

Correct. I think we’re going to have that covered as well.

 

Are jack stands necessary though? How well will the frame do being up on stands that long?

 

I'd say rodents are probably the biggest concern, three months isnt so long to sit.

 

No, I didn't put my car on jack stands when I left it parked in storage for 8 months. I didn't have any tire issues outside of them needing some air.

 

I think changing fluids, putting it on a battery tender and maybe stands to take the weight off the tires is enough. I'd pull the ignition fuse and let it crank for several seconds to flow oil around the engine before starting again but that's probably OCD.

 

if you don’t live in an area that has a lot of creatures I’d just park it and put a cover over it if you’re leaving it outside. I left my vehicle parked for 12 months and only driven twice in that period to move it while I was deployed. You’re over thinking it. Some of these trucks sit for months on end before being sold with very little driving.

 

Nice!

 

Assuming garage kept, throw some rat posion under the truck . I would do jack stands if you have them in the right spot i per manual dont see how it would hurt. Keeping your tires from having a flat spot would be worth it.

 

Yea I’m not interested in buying 4 new tires. Just didn’t know how long the truck could sit on stands before any issues with the frame. The manual does show where to place them.

 

i would think forever but then again i know people who believe you shouldnt have an engine on a stand for very long lol warps the block

 

You'll be fine, shit by the time they build them , then ship to a dealer and then sitting on a dealers lot your probably over 3 months before you even bought it.

 

Exactly. I've seen some on the lot for a lot longer than that. The battery won't even be drained with that short of time.

 

I had mine parked for 3 months and it was fine. Started right up.

 

Not sure what part of the country your in, but be careful with a car cover and long term storage. I'm in So Cal and avoid covers. Any sand/dust in the air can get under the cover and wreak havoc on your paint, like sandpaper. Not an issue in less dry, less sandy environments.

Currently deployed and only added fuel stabilizer to the gas tank of the Taco. I've never had an issue besides a dead battery after returning from a deployment, and that has only been on my older toys (1979 Cherokee and 1990 Grand Wagoneer). I do always service the vehicle in accordance with the owners manual after return based on time, vice mileage. And I wouldn't worry about flat spots on tires, these aren't bias plies!

edit: words are hard to spell...

 

Thanks for the info! Yes I’m in SoCal as well. I read about covers causing damage from the wind whipping and the sand underneath just scratching the truck all up. Well this is all good stuff. I’ll just be gone for 3 months so hopefully everything is good to go once I’m back.

 

I leave both of mine (1995 and 2015) sitting for several months at a time with no issues. I work in Alaska and trucks are parked at friends or parents house usual in northern Alabama. If I think I'll be gone more than 3 months I'll fill them up with higher octane fuel but that's it. Also in the summer time, with the newer one, I'll put a cover on it due to all the pollen and sap but my dad will usually take the cover off once or twice after heavier rains so it can dry out.
I'd say leave it in a safe place and dont worry about it.. enjoy it when you get back!

 

What is your thinking with the frame there? Why would sitting on jackstands be any worse on a frame than driving the vehicle down the road?