Sitting T-800's during the winter

I know. I am in Pa. I have a few old trucks with steel cabs, and the weather is hard on them.

 

My big question is why not try to find a way to put those trucks to work and make some money with them? Isn't there an intermodal company or broker up there that will work with you realizing that those trucks are only available certain months of the year? You might not make a fortune, but a small profit beats no profit. Don't go rate cutting and don't operate for a loss, but you could probably find a way to work those trucks.

 

My trucks sit Dec thru May every year. I unhook the batteries and don't touch them again till spring. They do sit inside though.

You guys can't tell me that it's harder on a truck, rust wise, to park it all winter than it is to drive it through the salt.

 

I agree with that 100 percent.

 

Just unhook the batteries and throw a 5 gallon bucket over the stacks. We have equipment that sits 10 months out of the year, there was a pesky bird that kept building a nest in the exhaust pipe.

 

If it is a C15 you may get a water leak from the oil cooler if you are in cold weather. On other motors as well you may get some seeping from coolant lines. Shut battery switch off. Grease & treat fuel.

IF YOU CAN START THEM EVERY 3 WEEKS!!!!

If you run Stemco trailer seals you may have some go out. Now that we run new seals this is a non issue keep an eye on them when you start up. If they weep try running some Lucas hub oil it will cure small weeps.

Past that they will be fine.

 

Mine gets parked from December to April. I'll go out and start it every week or two. Let it run for 15 or 20 minutes. I've never had any problems. Going on 14 years now.

 

I used to park my truck in winter for the last 3 years, from mid December to mid April. Inside a heated warehouse. All washed, fresh oil change, grease and filters, full fuel tanks, drained air, battery disconnected fully with top rails removed. No problems.