Help: what long term storage precautions to take

[Mopoke]

There is an increasing chance I will be moving to Hong Kong soon from the UK and I have a dilemma with my truck [which I would never sell]. Taking it isn't the right move given there are few places to drive it [China frowns upon RHD and my truck is an overlander rather than a "pay and play" which is where the local land cruiser club drives in the New Territories]. Therefore I have to look into storage options and precautions to take. I want the truck to be an as good condition as I can get it when I return.

Given the UK winter weather, wind and salty roads I'm guessing rust will increase over the two years I'm away if stored off road but outside? I've been told that car covers are next to useless [some rain protection] if the truck remains outside.
Should I consider a dry lock-up storage [pretending the truck is a ferrari or something].

In terms of what to do for the truck before storage I would guess:
Batteries out and on a charger [two years will be pushing it]
Tank full to avoid rust developing inside - any additives?
Change all oils
Regular driving is better for a truck than sitting around but I assume starting it regularly without going far will cause more damage than not driving it so regularly (creating condensation without it burning off).
Some sort of dehumidifaction internally [suggestions?]
Any other ways to minimise rust?
Any other suggestions?
Am I wasting my time?

 

[Schwein]

There is an increasing chance I will be moving to Hong Kong soon from the UK and I have a dilemma with my truck [which I would never sell]. Taking it isn't the right move given there are few places to drive it [China frowns upon RHD and my truck is an overlander rather than a "pay and play" which is where the local land cruiser club drives in the New Territories]. Therefore I have to look into storage options and precautions to take. I want the truck to be an as good condition as I can get it when I return.

Given the UK winter weather, wind and salty roads I'm guessing rust will increase over the two years I'm away if stored off road but outside? I've been told that car covers are next to useless [some rain protection] if the truck remains outside.
Should I consider a dry lock-up storage [pretending the truck is a ferrari or something].

In terms of what to do for the truck before storage I would guess:
Batteries out and on a charger [two years will be pushing it]
Tank full to avoid rust developing inside - any additives?
Change all oils
Regular driving is better for a truck than sitting around but I assume starting it regularly without going far will cause more damage than not driving it so regularly (creating condensation without it burning off).
Some sort of dehumidifaction internally [suggestions?]
Any other ways to minimise rust?
Any other suggestions?
Am I wasting my time?

i would ;
- definitely change all the fluids before it sits,
- i would put a fresh tank of gas in with some fuel stabilizer.
- i would put a plug in the exhaust pipe to keep from having critters crawl their way into the engine.
- if possible i would try and get it off the tires, if you had 4 very stable jack stands, i would just have the thing sitting off the ground in a garage (not sure if you could do this if its sitting on the street lol) on jack stands to save the tires and avoid flat spots.
- take the battery out straight up, or connect it to a battery tender to keep it nice and charged and maintained.
- put a cover on the whole vehicle so the paint is saved as much as possible.
- and hope for the best, 2 years is a long time to sit but im sure it'll be fine for the most part, perhaps find someone who can drive it around once a month?

 

[Kernal]

I would vote for the dry storage if the cost is reasonable. There are storage garages in the US that will start the engine and charge the battery on a regular basis but you pay extra for that service.

 

[KLF]

Another option: I work with a guy that has taken 2 long-term absences (1 year each), he owns an '05 Prius. He parks it at a friends place that has the room, with a $100 pre-paid gas card, and instructions to drive it at least once a week, even if it's just to the grocery store. No ill effects.

 

[86tuning]

yes, full gas tank + fuel stabilizer.
either put on jackstands, or overfill the tires to max on sidewall (or 50psi)
bag & rubberband over the tailpipe to keep critters out.
if you're parking it outside, consider fogging the intake with storage oil (like the 2-stroke boys)
dry storage if at all possible.

in north america they have secure public-storage places with ground level entrance. That would work fine. Or make friends with a guy with a barn that's out of town.

car cover either way, even if stored inside.

wax the truck before storage, no need to buff it though.

Prepaid gas card + friend works best though.

 

[KimoSabe]

Tn.
Some sort of dehumidifaction internally [suggestions?]

desiccant bags

 

[Dave 2000]

If your serious then go for dry storage but do not park it up just haing driven in the rain, do it on a dry day after a blast down the motorway to dry out the chassis ect. Crack open windows a little to get air change in the car. Def change all oils, def jacks under axle to keep the tyres with no weight on them, if manual wedge the clutch pedal down, leave the handbrake off, very very light dust sheet (not waterproof) and not all the way to the floor, you want some air flowing under there, also as mentioned wax car (inc chrome) but do not buff off, fuel tank full with stabiliser.

regards

Dave

 

[Jrob80]

There have been a few other posts here a few years back try searching "storage" or something along those lines that might come up with something.