Storing 2013 DBL Cab for 5 Months... suggestions?

I have a 10x20' storage unit. Very safe. Very secure. I have insurance. Due to limited storage space I have to leave furniture in the bed of my truck while in storage. My question is can I put jack stands under the frame just to relieve stress on the rear springs? I wont jack the truck up at all to put them in place. Simply snug them under the frame and let the weight of the furniture "lay" the bed down onto the stands. Maybe ill allow one inch of travel before touchdown. I just dont want 500 lbs of furniture to expedite the sagging and wearing down of my poor leafers. What say you? Any other long term storage tips?

 

If you're really worried about it, once you get it positioned in storage I'd jack up the frame a few inches, take the bumps off, and put a bigass block of wood between the top of the leaf pack and frame on both sides. Like a hunk of 6x6. Lower frame onto wood brace. Done for cheap.

FYI, you should put the whole vehicle on jackstands off the tires anyway...otherwise you could flat spot. Also, change the frequent-change fluids (oil, coolant, diffs) before storing.

 

It's not the springs sagging, it's the tires flat spotting I'd worry about. Getting it off the ground would be my suggestion.

Change the oil and fill the gas tank + add some Stabil beforehand.

 

You think I should put her up on 4 jackstands all the way around? On the frame I presume?

 

That'd be easiest, you just need some bigass jackstands or some way to elevate them (wood underneath). To alleviate your spring worry, just make sure the jackstands allow the axle to droop and ensure the tires don't touch the ground (or remove em).

 

Having a spring under load or not under load does not effect it's life. A spring can be under 100% load and it won't effect it's life. It's the act of going from load to unloaded that wears on a spring.

This topic was brought up on the various AR-15 forum's i've been on when people have mentioned if it is bad to keep a magazine loaded, for fear of over-time damaging the spring. It was confirmed many times that loaded is just the same as unloaded. When the magazine goes from loaded to unloaded (full to empty) over and over and over (thousands of times, there there is wear involved)

With all that said, I'd do as the others said and put the truck on jack stands on the frame or axles (axles are good to go) and get the tires off the ground, for fear of putting some flat spots on the tires. Although 5 months isnt too long...

Hook up a battery tender, put some fuel stabilizer in the tank and you'll be fine. For 5 months, even both of those isn't totally necessary.

 

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/ge...nventionally-powered-vehicles-1-6-months.html

I don't have any experience with this.. But I would either replace the oil and some fluids when you get it back ASAP, or maybe use a engine block heater the first time so the oil isn't so sluggish.. Not sure if any of that is necessary however.

 

Not quite true... A spring under load for a LONG period of time develops memory. When it comes to magazines, I've personally had one filled (and stay filled) for 5 months. After which the spring was not strong enough to load the last 3 rounds.

OP: I would do as jandrews suggested, and try to relieve the pressure from the springs by blocking them with wood.

 

My truck is actually in a storage unit right now...


I over inflated the tires to prevent flat spotting, fresh oil change,full tank of gas + fuel stabilizer, lubed all the zerk fittings, steel wool in the exhaust, and pulled the battery and put it on a battery tender. I also put some scented dryer sheets around the storage unit, some say this will keep the mice away. Was worth the $4 if it works.

For the weight in the bed the 4x4 wood between the axle and the frame sounds like a good idea...

EDIT: Don't leave the Emergency brake on. If its a stick, leave it in gear and chock the tires.

Considering new cars sit for 5-6 months before they are sold with no maintenance you will be fine for 6 months doing the above.

Had no issues with my last car (370z) with flat spotting during storage by over inflating this was with high performance soft compound summer tires. Used the same method as above. Except I didn't need to pull the battery because I was able to fit the 370z in my garage. My truck doesn't fit...