CA Traveler
The Western States
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Good advice above. I'm much more conservative about letting gas engines sit since the gas might dry up or gum up. Diesel no problem.
Batteries if not on shore power certainly will have drains that cannot be turned off like smoke detectors, computers etc. That is why I installed full disconnect switches right on the battery posts which limited the drain to battery self discharge.
2009 Holiday Rambler 42' Scepter with ISL 400 Cummins
750 Watts Solar Morningstar MPPT 60 Controller
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Bob
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willald
NC
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Joined: 07/15/2002
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Bruce Brown's advice to relax and stay put during long term stays is probably OK for a diesel rig like his. However, it is not necessarily good advice for a gasser.
Letting gas Motorhomes sit for long periods is not good for them. They need to not only be started up, but driven and moved at least every month or two. Reason I say it needs to be driven is, the brakes, tires, axles need to be exercised, too. It would be a good idea on those 'exercise' trips, to put a few gallons of fresh fuel in it, too. Gasoline when it sits for long periods tends to become stale and lead to other issues (especially in a carbureted engine like nearly all gas generator have).
If I was staying on a site for long term stay, I'd try to make it a point about once a month to break camp and take the rig for a good 15-20 minute drive. I'd suggest using that time to put some fuel in it, maybe get some LP gas if needed, and run/exercise the generator in that time, too. The generator needs to be exercised, too, to keep fresh fuel going through it.
Will and Cheryl
2021 Newmar Baystar 3014 on F53 (7.3 V8) Chassis
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jdc1
Rescue, Ca
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Joined: 05/30/2011
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How long do cars sit on dealer lots? Yea....just trickle charge the battery.
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Bruce Brown
Northern NY
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Joined: 06/01/2001
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willald wrote:Bruce Brown's advice to relax and stay put during long term stays is probably OK for a diesel rig like his. However, it is not necessarily good advice for a gasser.
Letting gas Motorhomes sit for long periods is not good for them. They need to not only be started up, but driven and moved at least every month or two. Reason I say it needs to be driven is, the brakes, tires, axles need to be exercised, too. It would be a good idea on those 'exercise' trips, to put a few gallons of fresh fuel in it, too. Gasoline when it sits for long periods tends to become stale and lead to other issues (especially in a carbureted engine like nearly all gas generator have).
If I was staying on a site for long term stay, I'd try to make it a point about once a month to break camp and take the rig for a good 15-20 minute drive. I'd suggest using that time to put some fuel in it, maybe get some LP gas if needed, and run/exercise the generator in that time, too. The generator needs to be exercised, too, to keep fresh fuel going through it.
Two of my tractors are a gassers (1957 Allis D17, 1966 Massey 1100), and so is my lawn mower(JD X475) - same advice.
There are 24 hours in every day - it all depends on how you choose to use them.
Bruce & Jill Brown
2008 Kountry Star Pusher 3910
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wa8yxm
Davison Michigan (East of Flint)
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Well if you want to be safe change oil just before you park and again when you hit the road (Never did that but once, long story on that one)
Main engine unlike generator does NOT need monthly run
Generator needs regular exercise (Once a month, 1/2 hour 1/2 load or more in both half cases) for assorted reasons. some electronic some mechanical
The carbureted engines (Generator) are more senisitive to sitting than injected engines ..> You might want to add the prper Seaforam to the fuel tank for fuel stability.
Since the main engine can not be properly loaded. Running it even at fast idle is not good for it. The thing need to get up to full operating temp under load (Same for generator engine) when running. It needs to work, not just idle.
Home was where I park it. but alas the.
2005 Damon Intruder 377 Alas declared a total loss
after a semi "nicked" it. Still have the radios
Kenwood TS-2000, ICOM ID-5100, ID-51A+2, ID-880 REF030C most times
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Dutch_12078
Winters south, summers north
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A couple of years ago I worked with mobile RV mechanic getting a 2004 gas Ford V-10 powered motorhome ready for a new owner after it had sat unmoved for 9 years on a leased site in Florida. We replaced the engine battery, coolant, and belts, drained and replaced the oil and filter, bled and refilled the brake fluid, and cranked the engine over a few times by hand. The rig had been parked with a full fuel tank, and the fuel had been topped off periodically as exercising the generator drew it down. When we first turned the key, it spun over slowly a time or two before getting up to speed and firing up as if it had just been shut down. The disk brakes were a little "crunchy" starting out, but cleared up fairly quickly. The first run was just a few miles down the road to a local tire dealer for new rubber, and the grunts and groans from the suspension had pretty much worked themselves out by the time we got there. We did advise the new owner to add a good quality fuel conditioner to the first couple of fill ups and have the unit checked further by a mechanic before making any lengthy trips, but the rig ran really well after sitting still for 9 years.
Dutch
2001 GBM Landau 34' Class A
F53 chassis, Triton V10, TST TPMS
Bigfoot Automatic Leveling System
2011 Toyota RAV4 4WD/Remco pump
ReadyBrute Elite tow bar/Blue Ox baseplate
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oliviaolivv0101
USA
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Joined: 08/01/2021
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Running for a few minutes causes more moisture in the engine due to condensation.
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