The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk long term storage and insurance questions....

Hi Stovebolters

Still waiting for parts but it got me to thinking about what do you Stovebolters do for long term storage??...

Do you jack them up off there tires???

Do you start them every week or two???

Also do keep motor vehicle insurance on them while they are parked??

Any insight would be great....

MikeC

How long, is long term?

What kind of storage "environment"?

Stovebolt.com Tech Tip: Seasonal Advice

My trucks hibernate from Nov-Apr in an unheated garage (deep freeze in northern NY - near you).

1." Do you jack them up off there tires???"
No

2. "Do you start them every week or two???"
No

3." Also do keep motor vehicle insurance on them while they are parked??"
Yes

Before Hibernation:
- change oil/filter if driven more than 2,000 miles
- add gas stabilizer to fuel tank
- fill gas tank
- go for a 30+ mile highway ride
- park the truck in the garage for hibernation

I have 6v Optima batteries that get left in the trucks during hibernation (no battery tenders).

If it's going to be longer than "seasonal hibernation". Do the things Tim listed above and just before shutting the engine off for the last time spray Engine Fog down the carb to coat the internals surfaces.

Then jack it up to take the weight off the tires.

If parked indoors, put a few Downy Dryer Sheets along the bottom of the seat back springs and a few under the seat to keep the mice away. If parked outdoors I'd use Moth Balls as they are stronger.

Mike B

Yes, Mike - I forgot about the mouse repellent. I used moth balls for several years.

My friend, Dave, gave me one of these mouse traps a fews years ago. It is the best mouse trap I have ever used/seen.

I've never understood jacking up the vehicle. Especially if it's not on concrete. With radials, you don't get flat spots like you could with Bias ply. I never had done it and never had an issue.


I can't say how well that one works, but what I know works well and is much simpler is some birdseed or grain in the bottom of the pail, with the stick up the side (a flagging stick is more than enough).

46gmcpu,

Neither of our techniques is "humane", but the technique I linked-to is a quicker-death (less "suffering").

Nonetheless, mice/rats/squirrels must be avoided/eliminated.

This is something I just discovered.
If you start your insurance coverage in the fall November.
While it is stored for the winter months, you can just cover your vehicle with comprehensive coverage. (fire, theft or vandalism)
Then in April or May when you take it out of storage, you can add full collision coverage.
The insurance company will prorate the remaining months. May thru November.
Then in November when it is time to renew the policy, just ask to have it insured for comprehensive coverage again.

There is no sense insuring for full collision coverage when your not driving it.
The key is, you have to start the coverage at the right time of the year to gain the full benefit. (Savings)

Note: Once you add to the years policy you can't undo it.
i.e. Get refunded.

As far as being humane they're exactly the same?

Your insurance must be different than ours up here. On my regular insurance, I can cancel or change it at any time. When I have something parked, I remove everything except fire, theft, and vandalism.

On my classics, it costs me less than $450 for full coverage including collision for all 3 for an entire year. No sense changing the coverage.

After reading my (jorb) above reply I realized I was using the wrong terminology.

Instead of liability coverage, what I meant to say was comprehensive coverage.
Which means; "Other Than Collision" covers damage to your vehicle caused by
an event other than an impact or collision such as fire, theft or vandalism.

Example; if you hit a deer, it's a comprehensive loss. If you miss a deer and wreck,
then it is a collision loss and would not be covered unless you carried collision.

Frequently-asked-questions - Does Hagerty write coverage for comprehensive only?
Click on 4th plus + sign.
Yes. "Comprehensive only" (other-than-collision) coverage is available
when a car is undergoing restoration, part of a display (such as in a museum)
or placed in long-term storage. Hagerty also offers coverage called Limited Trailer
Paddock that provides collision coverage while your vehicle is trailered.

I wonder what the definition of long-term storage is?

Another option.
Vehicle Under Construction coverage.

Insurance Primer A Crash Course in Collector Car Insurance

(The above previous reply error has been corrected
to reflect this reply)

For an airplane engine "long term storage" is defined as longer than 90 days.



Weeds

Jorb, what minimum coverage you need to carry and whether or not you can cancel or change within a year is up to local law.

Here, you only need comprehensive if you're driving it on the road. You don't need collision unless you have a loan on the vehicle. And you can change or cancel your coverage at any time and get a refund. Best for anyone to check what's needed in their area.