Date: Thu, 10 Nov 2011 09:57:41 -0600
Reply-To: Jon Kanas <kanas@QADAS.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Jon Kanas <kanas@QADAS.COM>
Subject: Winter Storage
In-Reply-To: <20111110050120.32AE31C90039@iridium.vcn.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
Good Day,
I use the following guidelines for storing the vehicles I do not use,
which have been very effective.
* Overinflate your tires. This will prevent flat-spotting. I
inflate to the maximum stamped on the sidewall, or 50psi,
whichever is higher.
* Cover openings to prevent rodent entry. Use plastic, not paper or
cloth that can become nesting materials. I mean openings like the
coolant hoses - You don't want critter nests halfway down your
coolant pipes.
* Since you've indicated you will be storing without driveline, I'd
suggest draining the fuel tank since your fuel lines are readily
accessible, and you can suck out whatever fuel is left in the
tank. It's difficult to get StaBil properly mixed into the fuel
when you cannot drive around to agitate the mixture.
* Disconnect the battery. Put the battery in a climate-controlled
environment, or connect to a "maintenance" charger.
* Cover is OK if the cover breathes. You don't want moisture trapped
under the cover. When covered, anyplace where the paint is
chipped can become rusty is moisture is trapped under a cover.
* Windows closed, vents open. You want the air pressure to equalize
easily as the outside temperature changes, but you don't want
moisture to be drawn into the Vanagon during these cycles.
* Put a couple of bowls of mothballs in the interior to discourage
entry of rodents. These need to be in a glass or ceramic
container since they may dissolve paper or plastic over time.
* If you are in a humid area, place some pouches of desiccant in the
interior to absorb any moisture that may get trapped inside. Like
mothballs, these should be placed in ceramic dishes, as the
contents of the pouches can damage carpet and upholstery. You can
get this stuff at home centers, RV and boat places. You'd like to
get the ones that change color when they've absorbed moisture.
You put them in your oven to dry them out, and reuse.
* I suggest NOT placing D-Con or similar poison inside, as a
poisoned rodent wandering around in your Vanagon becomes a dead
rodent in some remote location, like a heater duct. , will smell
to high heaven and be quite difficult to remove.
* Do NOT set the parking brake. Use chocks on either side of the
rear wheels to prevent movement.
*Best Regards,
Jon B Kanas
*
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