Parking it for the Winter - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

70 GMC Trucker · 11-03-2007, 01:58 AM

Any tips on things I should do as I'm going to park my toy for the winter but hope to start it up every month or so ? It's under cover by one those cheap Costco tent's and I have a Fox truck cover over it. Hope to bring it out in March or April and don't want any surprizes.

powerbench · 11-03-2007, 02:19 AM

i know with my stuff....bike , cars .....fresh oil change, gas stabilizer,....and a battery tender.....just firing it up doesn't really give it a chance to charge...plus i 've used desicant holder(like the ones used in an RV)...some say they may cause corosion in wiring, but at least they slow down the moisture and that old car smell.....might also be an idea.....heard it from some collector .........steel wool in the tail pipes.....keeps the critters from making a home in you tail pipes....

chris71 · 11-03-2007, 09:52 AM

mouse trap on the cab floor, and one under a tire. if you dont have a batterey tender, disconnect the battery cables to eliminate the draw on the battery. power bench has a good point, starting it up for 2 minutes wont charge the battery, i run my cars for like 20-30 minutes to get the alternator some time to charge the batery. gas stabilizer, but put it in and then run the truck for a while to get that stabil. in the lines, pump, carb, you dont want that un-stabilzed gas sitting in the carb where it could begin to get gummy, especially if it is sitting for a few months.

piecesparts · 11-03-2007, 11:02 AM

I park my show truck for the winter and so does my son. I usually don't go out of my way to do much with the fuel lines, I just make sure the fuel tanks are full, so that they do not collect a lot of water. I will start the vehicles once a month and let them rotate for lubrication and cleaning the fuel bowls out, this wayy nothing dries out completely. We put in new oil and just last year we started using the "Deltran" brand of battery "Tenders". These things are great, they will take a battery and charge it up to a "HOLDING" condition and then back off to keep it at that condition. So, if you have a readio in your truck that has a memory or a security system that drains a battery with a trickle, then this charger will do everything that you need. I purchased two and am going to get a couple more for the other things that I have in the outer sheds. Well Worth the investment, It is great to walk into the garage in the spring and crank the motor over and get fire right away.

dan42 · 11-03-2007, 11:07 AM

Hmmm. Winter? Yeah, that's when it rains. We just make sure the windows are rolled up.

Classic69 · 11-03-2007, 11:14 AM

I parked my '69 a week ago. Its a sad time when I gotta park it and can't drive it for another 6 months till spring. But I also have 6 months to work on it and modify it.....LOL

This is what I do:

- Disconnect the battery.
- Leave fuel tank close to full.
- Start/Run it once a month for a bit.

northerngmc · 11-03-2007, 12:22 PM

I parked my 59 back in August....

My concern in Victoria would be moisture. I purchased Silica Gel Dehumidifiers from Lee Valley tools ( http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.a...28&cat=1,43326) that suck up moisture from the air and can be dried again by heating up the contents. I would consider leaving a bag in the cab and another under the hood.

Make sure the cover is tight and out of the wind. A loose cover flapping in the wind all winter will mark and damage paint.

Fill the tank and use gas stabilizer.

Either use mouse poison or a couple of traps in/around the truck and try not to park it on grass, or make sure the grass is short.

Good luck.

By the way I am looking to be in Victoria in December ( 9 - 14) how bad is the rain?

powerbench · 11-04-2007, 02:09 AM

lol dan42....

powerbench · 11-04-2007, 02:11 AM

....by the way do you have any other pics of your truck 70....i just bought a 70 gmc...

70 GMC Trucker · 11-04-2007, 10:38 PM

Here's a few of my toy !

corn · 11-04-2007, 11:46 PM

Its a shame that beauty has to sit outside...

dan42 · 11-05-2007, 01:14 AM

GMC trucker,
That is a really pretty truck - I like how it sits, and that color with no chrome molding is perfect. I think mine is a little too yellow for no chrome - the trim would break it up nice, but that's not gonna happen anytime in the near future.

powerbench · 11-05-2007, 02:01 AM

wow they both look awesome... nicce job guys

**Already Gone** · 11-05-2007, 04:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 70 GMC Trucker

Any tips on things I should do as I'm going to park my toy for the winter but hope to start it up every month or so ? It's under cover by one those cheap Costco tent's and I have a Fox truck cover over it. Hope to bring it out in March or April and don't want any surprizes.

You cant leave that truck outside under a tarp!!! Drive it here to Saskatoon and park it in my garage with mine till April. You can drive the truck here and fly home via West Jet for 150.00. PM me if interested.

70 GMC Trucker · 11-05-2007, 05:02 AM

Thanks but for the cost of gas alone for the trip , I could build a garage and install gas heat !! But thanks and hope I will be alright !

RedZ71 · 11-05-2007, 08:34 AM

im so tempted to do the same thing to my 71 chevy, just like those 2 above. my 2001 Z71 is smoothed down just like that, so im definitely a big fan of that look, but at the same time, im torn between deciding on "period" trimmed, and smooth and clean. we'll have to see what time brings for me

both of those trucks look fantastic!

70 GMC Trucker · 11-06-2007, 03:03 AM

What's the price on the battery tenders ??

70GMCer · 11-06-2007, 07:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dan42

Hmmm. Winter? Yeah, that's when it rains. We just make sure the windows are rolled up.

I thought "It never rains in Southern California"...............

piecesparts · 11-06-2007, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 70 GMC Trucker

What's the price on the battery tenders ??

I guess that will depend on where you purchase yours. There are many places that sell them. It also depends on which model you get. I chose to get seperate units of the "Battery Tender Plus", so that I could set them up in different areas. The company makes them in different sizes for motorcycles, cars and shops (the shop model is a ganged up charger that will do many batteries). Go to their website and see what they list as products and dealers. http://batterytender.com/

I purchased mine through Summit Racing and saved a small amount on the cost. They are a little pricey, but it is cheaper than buying new batteries. The fact that they will charge on a battery that is down in voltage and then keep the battery in a "FLOAT" condition, is what I was after. We have large battery banks at my work place and this little charger works exactly like those systems and it is great.

http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku

**oldiron** · 11-06-2007, 02:19 PM

Another thing you need to take in consideration is ground moisture. Being in a rain climate like we are you will have gound moisture coming up when the sun does ever come out causing condensation. I suggest putting down a thick piece of plastic with some sand over it to keep the moisture coming up. Simular to a moisture barrier that are under houses. One of my trucks was outside under cover and I still had moisture under the hood and body and that was this summer.

northerngmc · 11-06-2007, 03:00 PM

Sounds like a lot of trouble to me!

Maybe you should consider selling the beautiful truck to me and I will move it to a cold dry climate!

11-03-2007, 01:58 AM	#1
70 GMC Trucker Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Victoria, BC Canada Posts: 48	Parking it for the Winter Any tips on things I should do as I'm going to park my toy for the winter but hope to start it up every month or so ? It's under cover by one those cheap Costco tent's and I have a Fox truck cover over it. Hope to bring it out in March or April and don't want any surprizes.

11-03-2007, 02:19 AM	#2
powerbench Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Surrey B.C Posts: 432	Re: Parking it for the Winter i know with my stuff....bike , cars .....fresh oil change, gas stabilizer,....and a battery tender.....just firing it up doesn't really give it a chance to charge...plus i 've used desicant holder(like the ones used in an RV)...some say they may cause corosion in wiring, but at least they slow down the moisture and that old car smell.....might also be an idea.....heard it from some collector .........steel wool in the tail pipes.....keeps the critters from making a home in you tail pipes....

11-03-2007, 09:52 AM	#3
chris71 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Sykesville MD Posts: 357	Re: Parking it for the Winter mouse trap on the cab floor, and one under a tire. if you dont have a batterey tender, disconnect the battery cables to eliminate the draw on the battery. power bench has a good point, starting it up for 2 minutes wont charge the battery, i run my cars for like 20-30 minutes to get the alternator some time to charge the batery. gas stabilizer, but put it in and then run the truck for a while to get that stabil. in the lines, pump, carb, you dont want that un-stabilzed gas sitting in the carb where it could begin to get gummy, especially if it is sitting for a few months. __________________ '55 3100 2nd series short-bed stepside '70 Corvette coupe stingray '71 Chevelle 2-dr coupe SS clone '71 C10 long-bed fleetside '83 long-haired brunette wife

11-03-2007, 11:02 AM	#4
piecesparts Parts and more parts Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Lebo, Kansas (middle of nowhere Posts: 6,821	Re: Parking it for the Winter I park my show truck for the winter and so does my son. I usually don't go out of my way to do much with the fuel lines, I just make sure the fuel tanks are full, so that they do not collect a lot of water. I will start the vehicles once a month and let them rotate for lubrication and cleaning the fuel bowls out, this wayy nothing dries out completely. We put in new oil and just last year we started using the "Deltran" brand of battery "Tenders". These things are great, they will take a battery and charge it up to a "HOLDING" condition and then back off to keep it at that condition. So, if you have a readio in your truck that has a memory or a security system that drains a battery with a trickle, then this charger will do everything that you need. I purchased two and am going to get a couple more for the other things that I have in the outer sheds. Well Worth the investment, It is great to walk into the garage in the spring and crank the motor over and get fire right away. Last edited by piecesparts; 11-03-2007 at 11:04 AM.

11-03-2007, 11:07 AM	#5
dan42 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Cali Central Coast Posts: 5,191	Re: Parking it for the Winter Hmmm. Winter? Yeah, that's when it rains. We just make sure the windows are rolled up. __________________ '67 SWB Fleetside ZZ4/350/Tremec 5-speed/4link/Scott's IFS - and fun as heck! SOLD Click here to support the board Philippians 4: 6-7

11-03-2007, 11:14 AM	#6
Classic69 Love That '69 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Sherwood Park, Alberta, Canada Posts: 360	Re: Parking it for the Winter I parked my '69 a week ago. Its a sad time when I gotta park it and can't drive it for another 6 months till spring. But I also have 6 months to work on it and modify it.....LOL This is what I do: - Disconnect the battery. - Leave fuel tank close to full. - Start/Run it once a month for a bit. __________________ *I AM CANADIAN!!!!!* 1969 Chevy C/10 Truck - SBC V8, TH-350, 3.73 Posi, 1000W Rockford Fosgate Stereo System, B&M Megashifter, GT Grant Steering Wheel, Dual Magnaflow Exhaust System, Dynomax Headers, Lowered 1" Front & 3" Rear, Front/Rear Sway Bars, Racing Seats, 6000K HID Headlights 2008 Chevy Colorado LT - 3.7L I5, 4 Speed Automatic, Crew Cab, 4X4, Z71 Off-Road Package, "Ground Effects" Package, K&N Cold Air Intake, Supermod PTB, Magnaflow Exhaust w/ Resonator, 500W Kenwood / Rockford Fosgate Stereo System, Custom LED Lighting, 6000K HID Low's / High's, Blackcat Customs Gauges / Needles, Carbon Fiber Interior Accents, KrFabs 2" Lift Shackles / Torsion Bar Crank with Rancho RS5000 Shocks, Superskids Skid Plates

11-03-2007, 12:22 PM	#7
northerngmc Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Whitehorse YK Canada Posts: 2,651	Re: Parking it for the Winter I parked my 59 back in August.... My concern in Victoria would be moisture. I purchased Silica Gel Dehumidifiers from Lee Valley tools ( http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.a...28&cat=1,43326) that suck up moisture from the air and can be dried again by heating up the contents. I would consider leaving a bag in the cab and another under the hood. Make sure the cover is tight and out of the wind. A loose cover flapping in the wind all winter will mark and damage paint. Fill the tank and use gas stabilizer. Either use mouse poison or a couple of traps in/around the truck and try not to park it on grass, or make sure the grass is short. Good luck. By the way I am looking to be in Victoria in December ( 9 - 14) how bad is the rain? __________________ Blaine 59 GMC 9314 a.k.a. Whoopee 68 C20 50th Anniversary a.k.a. The Rat http://www.flickr.com/photos/northerngmc/ http://www.members.tripod.com/P-wee/index_032.htm 1.61803 is one H of a lot better than 3.14159, no really it is!

11-04-2007, 02:09 AM	#8
powerbench Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Surrey B.C Posts: 432	Re: Parking it for the Winter lol dan42....

11-04-2007, 02:11 AM	#9
powerbench Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Surrey B.C Posts: 432	Re: Parking it for the Winter ....by the way do you have any other pics of your truck 70....i just bought a 70 gmc...

11-04-2007, 10:38 PM	#10
70 GMC Trucker Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Victoria, BC Canada Posts: 48	Re: Parking it for the Winter Here's a few of my toy ! Attached Images

11-04-2007, 11:46 PM	#11
corn Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: here Posts: 5,789	Re: Parking it for the Winter Its a shame that beauty has to sit outside...

11-05-2007, 01:14 AM	#12
dan42 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Cali Central Coast Posts: 5,191	Re: Parking it for the Winter GMC trucker, That is a really pretty truck - I like how it sits, and that color with no chrome molding is perfect. I think mine is a little too yellow for no chrome - the trim would break it up nice, but that's not gonna happen anytime in the near future. Attached Images __________________ '67 SWB Fleetside ZZ4/350/Tremec 5-speed/4link/Scott's IFS - and fun as heck! SOLD Click here to support the board Philippians 4: 6-7

11-05-2007, 02:01 AM	#13
powerbench Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Surrey B.C Posts: 432	Re: Parking it for the Winter wow they both look awesome... nicce job guys

11-05-2007, 05:02 AM	#15
70 GMC Trucker Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Victoria, BC Canada Posts: 48	Re: Parking it for the Winter Thanks but for the cost of gas alone for the trip , I could build a garage and install gas heat !! But thanks and hope I will be alright !

11-05-2007, 08:34 AM	#16
RedZ71 Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 246	Re: Parking it for the Winter im so tempted to do the same thing to my 71 chevy, just like those 2 above. my 2001 Z71 is smoothed down just like that, so im definitely a big fan of that look, but at the same time, im torn between deciding on "period" trimmed, and smooth and clean. we'll have to see what time brings for me both of those trucks look fantastic! __________________ Jonathan 2001 ECSB Silverado Z71 1971 LB C10 Custom www.z71silverado.com



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11-06-2007, 03:03 AM	#17
70 GMC Trucker Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Victoria, BC Canada Posts: 48	Re: Parking it for the Winter What's the price on the battery tenders ??

11-06-2007, 02:19 PM	#20
oldiron Designated Grumpy Old Man Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: arlington, washington usa Posts: 3,092	Re: Parking it for the Winter Another thing you need to take in consideration is ground moisture. Being in a rain climate like we are you will have gound moisture coming up when the sun does ever come out causing condensation. I suggest putting down a thick piece of plastic with some sand over it to keep the moisture coming up. Simular to a moisture barrier that are under houses. One of my trucks was outside under cover and I still had moisture under the hood and body and that was this summer. __________________ Never let the truth get in the way of a good story 71 Chev 1/2 ton 4X4 LWB Fleetside SOLD http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=361222 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1LgREwtDfaA 68 Chev 1 ton flat bed http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0bO8szzlD4A 56 Chev Handyman Wagon http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9y-6ddpBTkM http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbLzZ7zY8wA 56 Chev Belair http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=410667 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xoW0Ei7ZNIg

11-06-2007, 03:00 PM	#21
northerngmc Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Whitehorse YK Canada Posts: 2,651	Re: Parking it for the Winter Sounds like a lot of trouble to me! Maybe you should consider selling the beautiful truck to me and I will move it to a cold dry climate! __________________ Blaine 59 GMC 9314 a.k.a. Whoopee 68 C20 50th Anniversary a.k.a. The Rat http://www.flickr.com/photos/northerngmc/ http://www.members.tripod.com/P-wee/index_032.htm 1.61803 is one H of a lot better than 3.14159, no really it is!

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