Storage suggestions 11 months + (trickle charger or pull batteries?)

[thejeepster]

Was offered a position overseas... can't take the gladiator- simple solution is to sell it...
but when I go out to the garage and look at it.... well, I don't want to sell it/it doesn't want me to sell it-

Anyone store one of these for 9 months plus? if so, any tips or lessons learned that you could share? (I searched prior threads before starting this one-- did see someone used a trickle charger when away for about a month.. but this would be longer, so not sure I can leave it trickling for an extended period of time?)

Will have electricity to the garage for the duration.

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[Mr._Bill]

Without any better advice, this is what I would do. Either disconnect both batteries, fully charge them, and leave them disconnected, or leave a battery maintainer attached for the duration. If there's any chance of freezing, I would use a battery maintainer, and drain anything that could freeze (window washer fluid). Add about 6psi to the tires, and do an oil change before leaving.

If you can afford to keep it, don't sell it. Keep the insurance active. The registration should not matter, since it won't be driven. Let the insurance company know it is going to be garaged, and see if you can get a discount for the time period.

 

[PuddleJumper]

Without any better advice, this is what I would do. Either disconnect both batteries, fully charge them, and leave them disconnected, or leave a battery maintainer attached for the duration. If there's any chance of freezing, I would use a battery maintainer, and drain anything that could freeze (window washer fluid). Add about 6psi to the tires, and do an oil change before leaving.

If you can afford to keep it, don't sell it. Keep the insurance active. The registration should not matter, since it won't be driven. Let the insurance company know it is going to be garaged, and see if you can get a discount for the time period.

I concur

 

[Escape.idiocracy]

https://a.co/d/3jgSySk

Really happy with this maintainer.
?? might as well keep it- stick it on storage insurance, will give you something to throw money at while you are abroad.

 

[Jim SoG]

I went overseas as a defense contractor, I left my then jeep home, I had informed insurance to save money. You should have vacation once or twice a year and come home driving it. If with family near, have them drive it once a month, My dad took care of this.

Good luck

 

[Hootbro]

I think @Mr._Bill covered all the salient points. Couple things I would add is to ensure some type of rodent control measures in the storage space if that is an issue. Also throw a couple of large scale desiccants in the floorboard somewhere.

https://www.amazon.com/DampRid-FG100-Unscented-Disposable-10-5-Ounce/dp/B000LM0WIM

 

[jac04]

If sitting for the full 11 months, I would:
1) Do an oil change just before leaving. On your last drive, make sure to get it fully up to operating temperature.
2) Fill the gas tank and add stabilizer.
3) Over-inflate the tires by about 10%, although theoretically you can go up to the max sidewall inflation pressure. Alternately, you could put jack stands under the axles to take the load off the tires. While modern tire construction typically isn't susceptible to permanent flat-spotting, it isn't a bad idea to do one of these things.
4) Then follow the Owners Manual:
An alternate to disconnecting the battery would be to use a battery tender/maintainer as mentioned above.

 

[Flyboy2109]

Was offered a position overseas... can't take the gladiator- simple solution is to sell it...
but when I go out to the garage and look at it.... well, I don't want to sell it/it doesn't want me to sell it-

Anyone store one of these for 9 months plus? if so, any tips or lessons learned that you could share? (I searched prior threads before starting this one-- did see someone used a trickle charger when away for about a month.. but this would be longer, so not sure I can leave it trickling for an extended period of time?)

Will have electricity to the garage for the duration.

I store 6 months. I remove the battery and put a trickle charger on it with a timer. Only an hour each day. I have left batteries in before and had a wet battery fail and overflow and make a mess in an other vehicle.

Why an hour a day? To prevent that failure again and ruin stuff or have a fire and keep pushing electricity into that. The battery should stay up anyway with short daily charge.

I do have my aux batt permanently removed. Annual storage is the primary reason. The aux batt failure rate is the second reason.

Yes, use fuel stabilizer. I also make my last two fills with alcohol free gas.

 

[kevman65]

Mail the keys and location for JT to someone on the Board, we'll take care of it for you.

?

 

[Wheelin98TJ]

Without any better advice, this is what I would do. Either disconnect both batteries, fully charge them, and leave them disconnected, or leave a battery maintainer attached for the duration. If there's any chance of freezing, I would use a battery maintainer, and drain anything that could freeze (window washer fluid). Add about 6psi to the tires, and do an oil change before leaving.

If you can afford to keep it, don't sell it. Keep the insurance active. The registration should not matter, since it won't be driven. Let the insurance company know it is going to be garaged, and see if you can get a discount for the time period.

You'll probably get hit with a late fee if you let the registration expire.

I once purposely let the registration expire on a Jeep I was doing a motor swap on cause I wasn't driving it. I think it was a $10 late fee when I finally renewed it. In Michigan.

 

[thejeepster]

Thanks all for the excellent info- got some stabil & checking out trickle chargers... Appreciate it!

 

[K7WWA]

I second the recommendation for the NOCO charger. I have several of them and they are very smart chargers. They will automatically determine the type of battery chemistry. Flooded, AGM or lithium.

 

[Stuntman Mike]

I went abroad for three years some time ago.

Had a Porsche 968, Triumph Spitfire and BMW 90/6 sitting in the garage at that time.
All were connected to a trickle charger and tire pressure was slightly increased.

I went home about once once or twice a year and drove the vehicles instead of rentals.
On this occasions I also did some minor maintenance (oil change etc.).

Was no problem.

 

[Medical_Bartender]

Agreed with the above.

-Change oil
-Stabil in the fuel tank
-I also cycled ethanol free gas for 2-3 tanks before I left as well
-Used the NOCO battery charger
-Forgot to inflate tires but they are at 35 PSI so should be fine
-Contact insurance (USAA) and let them know I'm gone to get a discount

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