Going for a run in the M/H

[boxtraveller]

Like many of us on here if we don't use the M/H for 2 or 3 weeks or so we take her out for a run to top up the battery and generally get her warm and the oil circulating which seems to be considered to be a good idea by most.
Not so easy now and I understand not considered to be good for the engine just to sit and idle, so sitting in the storage yard until it warms up not a good idea either.
On one of our earlier motorhomes we left it too long one time and knackered the battery so I am particularly concerned about the battery and then I realised that my tracker reports on the battery voltage constantly and is visible on the app so I can keep an eye on it whilst it sits there waiting for the off and as long as it is not too long the engine, tyres etc should come to no harm.
Is that a plan?

 

[Jim]

As long as your tyre pressures are good and you keep the battery topped you're good for 3 months or more

 

[rrusty]

Used to leave mine ticking over for hours in the winter, with no adverse trouble used to drive it back and forward a few feet a few times no problems.

 

[GMLS]

Might be of interest

Catalytic Converter.

Hi, Started the van this morning and ran up to temperature just to cycle the engine, and then I thought was I doing any damage to the above by not getting it up to driving temperature. If not I would do this on a weekly basis. Opinions. ???????? Thanks.

forums.outandaboutlive.co.uk

 

[Dan and Jan]

Have you thought about a solar panel for topping up the battery? I don’t know the age of your van, but most modern engine oils do not degrade like the “Old” days. Like Jim said as long as the tyres are correctly inflated then you should be ok.
Hopefully an expert will be along shortly.

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[Kev and Ju]

I too am a firm believer that when MHs (or indeed anything mechanical) are not used / warmed up on a semi-regular basis things start to go wrong. Seals dry out, leaks appear, corrosion sets in etc etc. However a wise old owl once reminded me of the fact that MHs sometimes sit on a dealers forecourt for 6 months or more without any adverse effects.

 

[MisterB]

Going for a run in the M/H ?

i can only get around 3 or 4 metres of a run in my motorhome before having to turn around again, are you sure its worth putting your lycra shorts and trainers on for that sort of distance ....

wouldnt you be better of going for jog or bike ride?

 

[kevenh]

Like many of us on here if we don't use the M/H for 2 or 3 weeks or so we take her out for a run to top up the battery and generally get her warm and the oil circulating which seems to be considered to be a good idea by most.
Not so easy now and I understand not considered to be good for the engine just to sit and idle, so sitting in the storage yard until it warms up not a good idea either.
On one of our earlier motorhomes we left it too long one time and knackered the battery so I am particularly concerned about the battery and then I realised that my tracker reports on the battery voltage constantly and is visible on the app so I can keep an eye on it whilst it sits there waiting for the off and as long as it is not too long the engine, tyres etc should come to no harm.
Is that a plan?

I'm planning that our next main shopping trip will be in the MH
If that is problematic I am reassured by feedback from funsters that a 3month lay over is OK
I've a 2006 Pug Boxer 2.2L Diesel based MH
I park with one rear wheel chocked front & back with the handbrake off.
Our solar panel is only a small trickle charger 2.4W (I'm embarrassed to write that but tbf it works & I wouldn't have Solar panel envy with out you lot posting about yours )

 

[boxtraveller]

Have you thought about a solar panel for topping up the battery? I don’t know the age of your van, but most modern engine oils do not degrade like the “Old” days. Like Jim said as long as the tyres are correctly inflated then you should be ok.
Hopefully an expert will be along shortly.

Should have said in original post that solar panel seems to be doing its job.

 

[Spriddler]

When I worked for the local council the diesel gritters/snow ploughs would stand for 8 months unmoved which didn't seem to be a problem, just batteries and tyres kept topped up. The only reason I would want to drive my vehicles would be to polish the rust off the brake discs.
Many military vehicles stand idle for months.

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[Manic]

Dealers don’t bother how long a van has stood for.

 

[pelican]

Dealers don’t bother how long a van has stood for.

What about all the shows they take them to!

 

[Grimsbygranny]

Thank you, Jim, my new van is sitting on my front (hidden from rd) drive and I was hoping tyres/battery would be OK. Got it on EHU as well.
I shall take it for a run as soon as it's officially OK, and meanwhile keep up the security and leave the handbrake off. And have a coffee in it and pretend I'm on a Funster Rally!!
Stay safe everyone,

 

[Sheddy]

Our van sits on a pitch in Spain for up to 5/6 months without starting, it is on axle stands, hand brake off, plenty of solar to the vehicle battery. No problems in the past 5 years. The brake discs do corrode on the surface but are generally clean before we even leave the campsite. We have tyre pal system, pressures were on average 3 psi low so just needed topping up a bit.
Cheers
Ed

 

[In a Pickle]

Used to leave mine ticking over for hours in the winter, with no adverse trouble used to drive it back and forward a few feet a few times no problems.

That’s just what the OH has done today!

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[Tykatem]

We generally use ours twice a month even through the winter. Now I've got it jacked up on the hrdraulic levellers so that the tyres are off the ground, solar panels keeping the batteries topped up, a good dose of Gummi fit door seal on all the rubbers and hand break off, I've no qualms in leaving it like that for the next 3 months.

Pete

 

[rrusty]

That’s just what the OH has done today!

? Meaning

 

[Jev88]

OLDER diesel engines are okay to tick over and warm up, but more modern DPF (Diesel Particulate Filters) systems will gum up if you repeatedly only run at idle - they expect and need a HOT run to complete the cleaning process. Funny how things change - car salesmen used to say "one little old lady that just drove to the shops twice a week" as a good thing..... That means walk away on a modern car (unless you want to cough up for a DPF and Lambda sensor replacement before you drive it properly). But as said before above - plenty of commercial engines sit doing nothing for many months.

 

[poppycamper]

Our van sits on a pitch in Spain for up to 5/6 months without starting, it is on axle stands, hand brake off, plenty of solar to the vehicle battery. No problems in the past 5 years. The brake discs do corrode on the surface but are generally clean before we even leave the campsite. We have tyre pal system, pressures were on average 3 psi low so just needed topping up a bit.
Cheers
Ed

I would have thought (and please correct me if i am wrong) but do Funsters not love Spain so much because of the weather?
Surely it is a total different kettle of fish leaving a vehicle for 5/6 month's in the relatively dry atmosphere that exists in Spain than the damp and humid conditions in good old UK

 

[Sheddy]

My response was mainly regarding the OP's question about running his van to charge the vehicle battery, which is probably not necessary if there is another form of charging system, like the solar that he has fitted, and reassuring him that we leave ours for 5/6 months without problem albeit in Spain.
Obviously the winter weather is much better in Spain but don't be fooled by the apparent lack of humidity, during the time we are there the overnight dew is amazing, everything left out is soaking in the morning and consequently the humidity levels are quite high and along with the salt air things do rust incuding our brake discs.
Cheers
Ed

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[Cheshirecat57]

Used to leave mine ticking over for hours in the winter, with no adverse trouble used to drive it back and forward a few feet a few times no problems.

Was that before DPFs

 

[TheMachMan]

Do the solar panels typically charge the van battery as well as leisure battery?

 

[Eddystone]

You typically need a 20min run to replace the charge taken each time you start an engine. That may not be enough to dry out the exhaust system so you introduce another potential of the system corroding from the inside. Better to leave it standing with a small solar panel to keep the battery charged.

 

[wileyfox]

I have seen fiatducato vans sat on the dockside in bristol for upto 12 months.

 

[busby]

Used to leave mine ticking over for hours in the winter, with no adverse trouble used to drive it back and forward a few feet a few times no problems.

Not good for modern engines to warm up slowly..Wont break it but causes premature engine wear,,Probably no worry if you are not considering keeping the van into high mileage..BUSBY.

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[peterc10]

Do the solar panels typically charge the van battery as well as leisure battery?

They can do but it depends on your existing charging system and the solar charging system you install.

There is plenty of good advice (and some bad!) in the threads on the Solar Power Forum.

 

[PeteH]

I am in the "normally we try and use it at least once a month" category. This current issue, will IMV lead to a lot of unexpected "breakdowns" for many who are forced to store, especially those whose vehicles are kept on the road (Parked) Or in compounds which they cannot access. "Modern" engines have other issues around DPF`s and Catalytic Converters. And are designed to operate differently to the "old" ways. The old Detroit engines for example could be left at Idle overnight in Extreme Arctic Climes. Modern ones would not cope. Fortunately SWMBO`s "Modern" car is a Lease, so will be become someone else's problem further along.

I have an engine in the garage which has been there since it was removed from the Car (under restoration) in 2015. BUT, it has fresh oil and is "turned" regularly. Hopefully it will be OK?.

BTW My next door neighbour, takes her Land Rover out twice every day. If she did not She could be charged with animal cruelty as she has 3 Horses in Part livery some 4 miles away!. They have to be turned out every morning and back in every evening. She has to do it OR pay a substantial sum for the site owner to do it.

 

[Nasher]

Bloody Hell! - how big is your motorhome that you can go for a run in it? ?

Anyway, you're allowed to go running once a day outside, no need to run in your motorhome, you'll wear the carpet out

 

[rrusty]

Not good for modern engines to warm up slowly..Wont break it but causes premature engine wear,,Probably no worry if you are not considering keeping the van into high mileage..BUSBY.

Well we all have an opinion, 10 years old 55k on the clock

 

[busby]

Well we all have an opinion, 10 years old 55k on the clock

That's very low mileage,,,Not my opinion,,Mechanics opinion.BUSBY.

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