Leaving truck with Parents for 3 years! Advice?

I'm getting stationed oversees for 3 years and I'm forced to leave my truck here in the states. My plan is to leave it with my parents for those 3 years and my question to you guys is what would you do to your truck to protect it from 3 years of use from an other person? Not that I don't trust my parents but no one will take care of your truck like yourself.

 

I would emotionally detach myself from that truck.

 

have them drive it! regularly too! worse thing you can do for a vehicle is let it just sit.

 

Right here. Letting a car sit will be the death of it.

 

If I had to leave it at my parents' house for an extended period, it would be stuck outside all year around as my parents do not have the space in the garage. It sits outside 24/7 with me anyways, so that's not too big of a deal...the real problem for me would be the fact that it doesnt get driven much if at all. So, if I had to do it, I would look to see if there is a car cover that would fit, and I would ask my parents to drive it to town or get gorceries once every couple of weeks or so in it. I wouldn't expect them to do much more than that.

 

That'll be hard since I love my truck lol.

My mom will probably daily drive it when she gets it.

 

Definately remind them of the service intervals. Sometimes when it is not their vehicle and especially if it does not get driven that much, regular oil changes will slip through the cracks. Same for any other services you want to keep up with.

 

If you don't want them driving it you should probably just sell it, get the money in a savings account and buy another one in 3 years...

If you just leave it parked the gas in it will go bad, the brakes will probably get stuck and the pistons will probably do the same... And that's only the basics!!!

 

have them drive it twice a week

have them get it serviced based on

a) service light lights up
b) recommended maintenance as stated in manual per miles on odometer

above is an answer which is dead simple to follow and keeps truck happy


or just sell it.

 

Sell it. Save the money. Buy a new one when you come back.

 

I don't know about your parents, but if my old man drove my truck once I would have to trade it in the next day.

 

this for sure.

 

If you have them drive it once every 3 or 4 weeks and change the oil once a year it will be fine. I've been doing this for 24 years with my cars.

 

Good points guys, thanks. If I hadn't already made a commitment with the folks to let them drive it while I'm away I'd probably consider selling it. For now I'll just try to remember to remind them to stay on top of the maintenance. I'll probably throw some nice seat covers and floor mats and hope for the best. I'd hope that if I stress how much I love my truck they'll take care of it. Any other ideas to protect he interior?

 

tell them to park it away from idiots too. Thats where damage will happen.

 

You never know you might not be there for the full 3 years. Ive had guys get stationed over seas and then move a year later depending on your re enlistment or orders. Id also have them get it washed and detailed every now and then. You don't want to come back to a ruined paint job.

 

Selling it and putting the cash into savings is probably the better idea financially...

Alas, if you trust your parents enough, it'll be fine when you get back... I know my stepdad would take great care of mine if I was away for an extended amount of time.

 

They changed your dirty diapers, hauled you around, fed you, bought and washed your clothes, took care of you when you were sick, put up with your shit worried when you were late, they will worry about you overseas, and are letting you store your freaking truck there. And you don't want them driving it? Wow, just wow. Thank em and hand them the keys like an adult for gawd sake.

 

Kind of harsh on the old man...?

 

He would wax it with lemon Pledge, and put canola oil in the engine because, "what's the difference".

And the lemon Pledge thing is no exaggeration. I've seen him do it.