Motorhome maintainance due to enforced lay-up

[Captain Yoghurtpot]

As most of us won't be using our vans anytime soon, I would be grateful if any advice re keeping the van in running order.
My van was drained of all water in the habitation side prior to winter onset including the boiler and was prepared for a general lay-up until about now, march 2020.
But what about the engine?
We used the van for a day run in very early January, but nothing since.
As it is now not going to run for perhaps several more months now, should I be starting her up once in a while and letting her get to operational temperature?
She is on permanent hook-up at home,only charging the leisure battery every 4 weeks and only if needed.
The engine battery is on a trickle charge.
All gas is off.
My vehicle is a 1.9 TD and is 19 years old (X reg), and if circumstances were normal and I wasn't using the van for staying away in, I would take her for a long spin just to keep things ticking over.
But this now is not possible, or it would seem, rightly, responsible.
I am sure many of us are wondering the same issues if our vans are to be laid up for some time and I welcome any advice.
Sorry if this topic has been covered elsewhere.
Thanks

 

[jezport]

Im going to wash and wax my van and park with wheel and tyre covers to keep the UV off my tyres and rain off the brakes. See Here

 

[Clickem]

I think that starting and warming the engine on a standing vehicle probably does more damage than just leaving it. Needs to be warmed up under load not on idle

 

[AXO66]

Then there’s the Fridge. Should I run it on gas to keep it tickerty boo.?

And our Diseal heater should to have a monthly blast according to the instructions

keeping handbrake off,. Just realised left in gear to stop it rolling. Will put a brick under the wheel and leave in neutral.

And definatly take it fir a goid run once a month.

(Flying the local flag to reassure locals I am not a tourist )

 

[Captain Yoghurtpot]

So

I think that starting and warming the engine on a standing vehicle probably does more damage than just leaving it. Needs to be warmed up under load not on idle

how do I do that whilst self isolating, or at worse we go on lockdown?
I do know that just turning the engine may well do more damage, but if we can't run out........?

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[Captain Yoghurtpot]

But

Then there’s the Fridge. Should I run it on gas to keep it tickerty boo.?

And our Diseal heater should to have a monthly blast according to the instructions

keeping handbrake off,. Just realised left in gear to stop it rolling. Will put a brick under the wheel and leave in neutral.

And definatly take it fir a goid run once a month.

(Flying the local flag to reassure locals I am not a tourist )
[/QUOT
But isn't taking you and the vehicle out for a run once a month at present, going completely against what advice has been given not to do?
What happens if you break down or at worse, have an accident, in these present times?

 

[Captain Yoghurtpot]

Isn't taking the van and you out for a run going against advice of not to do it.
What happens if you have an accident or a breakdown, in these present times?

 

[Clickem]

So how do I do that whilst self isolating, or at worse we go on lockdown?
I do know that just turning the engine may well do more damage, but if we can't run out........?

I was pointing out that running an idling engine is not a good way to warm it. If you already knew that why did you ask?

should I be starting her up once in a while and letting her get to operational temperature?

 

[Dorset Diver]

A fridge tip.

Give it a through clean and make sure it is dry. Place a small open container of Bicarbonate of Soda on a middle shelf and leave the door adjar. Same applies to the freezer.

 

[Figaro]

Isn't taking the van and you out for a run going against advice of not to do it.
What happens if you have an accident or a breakdown, in these present times?

Use the motorhome instead of the car for those essential journeys would be my thoughts.
Much better to do that than leave for weeks on end without being run

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[Rumour and Innuendo]

It is a difficult question! As far as I can see it is the tyres that suffer from long breaks in use the most. As has been said, you can cover to protect from the sun but that is only a small part of the problem. Tyres have a natural lubricant in them and the only way to maintain correct distribution is to roll the tyres, under load by taking the van out. Even out of the sun they will crack or at least have the makings of cracks after an extended layup.

But that is where the problem starts. As with most on this site, you are taking the sensible route and not travelling. But that doesn't help the tyres. I use ours as a daily traveller to the shops and anywhere else I need to go, my wife has to take the car to work. But now even I can't justify the trips out, so will do the whole wheel covering thing and just use it when I have to.

The fridge should be OK as long as you leave the door ajar. We cleaned ours with bicarb and wiped it round with Milton. As for running it, most leave their fridges off when they lay up for the winter. For some that is up to six months. I would guess that will be OK for the next few months.

We have solar so not worried about batteries. but running the engine is sometimes desirable, even just for piece of mind. I see no problem in taking a trip to the supermarket in the van. Even one slightly further away. You will get "the look" from the uneducated, but we have not had that yet. The main thing is to stay in your area, but I know i am preaching to the converted.

Of course this is just my opinion and I could be off base (except the tyres bit!) but the best thing to do is what YOU feel is best based on what information you can get. The posts on here are a great place to get the information you need, we all have some knowledge. So thanks for your decision to stay put and the same to the massive amount of members on the forum who have decided to do the same and protect themselves and others.

 

[Captain Yoghurtpot]

I was pointing out that running an idling engine is not a good way to warm it. If you already knew that why did you ask?

I was asking as a general point and had heard that running an idling engine for newer motorhomes was a potential problem, but had also heard that for older ones this was not quite so, and I am / was / still am confused as to whether , generally, this is a no-no for any age of van, or if under these conditions , if other precautions are required to run it, what other people might recommend.
I too had thought of taking our van to the supermarket to do our shop and nothing else, the same as going in the car, but having seen the most recent news, I dont think I will be going out any time soon, but will need to at some point to restock as we only shopped normally on our weekly basis.
Thgat is, IF we are to be allowed at all, going forward.

 

[Captain Yoghurtpot]

Use the motorhome instead of the car for those essential journeys would be my thoughts.
Much better to do that than leave for weeks on end without being run

Yes my thoughts too, if allowed, but to be honest am a bit worried what reaction I might get out there, as it might be conceived, wrongly I might add, that I am ignoring advice, and am on holiday and sod the rest.
The constraints of trying to explain to an irate and unsympathetic and unreasoning mob of people that this is my vehicle, rather than my car, to do my essential food shopping, fills me with genuine fear.
And I didnt buy a motorhome to be fearful of using it!

 

[Jev88]

Older engine (like mine) is a lot safer to idle. You don't have the same DPF filter wizardry that needs a hot fast run to clean itself that is found on newer, cleaner engines.

You don't want your tyres sat in same position for a long time. Mark the tyres and Shuffle the vehicle backwards and forwards to rotate the stationary position. Or buy tyre savers - provide a curved panel for your tyre to sit on and spread load a bit more.
UV damage to tyres in UK? Didn't think it was possible in out climate

 

[Figaro]

The constraints of trying to explain to an irate and unsympathetic and unreasoning mob of people that this is my vehicle, rather than my car, to do my essential food shopping, fills me with genuine fear.

I'd have thought that scenario is very unlikely at the moment and will stay that way, but who knows.
If necessary, just go for a blast down the local dual carriageway and have no interaction with anyone.

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[Captain Yoghurtpot]

Older engine (like mine) is a lot safer to idle. You don't have the same DPF filter wizardry that needs a hot fast run to clean itself that is found on newer, cleaner engines.

You don't want your tyres sat in same position for a long time. Mark the tyres and Shuffle the vehicle backwards and forwards to rotate the stationary position. Or buy tyre savers - provide a curved panel for your tyre to sit on and spread load a bit more.
UV damage to tyres in UK? Didn't think it was possible in out climate

Thats the sort of info I wanted!
I thought this was the case with older engines, and yes, I can run it up and down the drive and move it to put the tyres in differing positions.
Thanks Jev88.
PS what is your engine please?

 

[Jev88]

Thats the sort of info I wanted!
I thought this was the case with older engines, and yes, I can run it up and down the drive and move it to put the tyres in differing positions.
Thanks Jev88.
PS what is your engine please?

1999 2.5tdi.
General advice is to keep tank full of fuel rather than low to reduce condensation in tank bring drawn into fuel filter. Less of a problem away from winter and you probably have a drain tap for your fuel filter too which I use with a small jar to check water has not built up.

 

[AXO66]

Isn't taking the van and you out for a run going against advice of not to do it.
What happens if you have an accident or a breakdown, in these present times?

drive it to the supermarket ?
nearest tesco is a 25 mile round trip..

 

[dickydo]

You need to travel about 40 miles when any vehicle is taken out to charge the battery, anything less, especially leaving on tickover, will take more juice out than is potentially put in This distance will also keep the tyres 'round!' My own opinion is that doing this should be ok every month, but I stand to be corrected

 

[nicholsong]

You need to travel about 40 miles when any vehicle is taken out to charge the battery, anything less, especially leaving on tickover, will take more juice out than is potentially put in This distance will also keep the tyres 'round!' My own opinion is that doing this should be ok every month, but I stand to be corrected

Unless you have a B2B fitted.

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[SpeedyDux]

Yesterday I used EHU from the mains in my garage to charge both hab and cab batteries. I ran the compressor fridge for a few hours to keep the seals healthy. I fired up the Truma D heater. Sat in the van dreaming about the cancelled trips.

Today I am going to drive the van along the ring road and back, about 15 miles, to exercise the oily mechanical bits, brakes, and tyres. Not to the supermarket this time, because I am trying to get rid of a cold. When I feel better it will get a much needed wash.

 

[Dorset Diver]

I have just

I'd have thought that scenario is very unlikely at the moment and will stay that way, but who knows.
If necessary, just go for a blast down the local dual carriageway and have no interaction with anyone.

I have just taken our van for a run of about 12 miles to give it a bit of a workout prior to putting it into its storage position on our drive. During the trip I stopped at a Tesco Express to get some much needed milk; that was a mistake. The store had been stripped so no milk, or anything else for that matter. In the store a group three people all in their late teens or early twenties told me, an obvious oldie, to go away and f**king starve. It was me and all the other grumpy scum and spastics that were causing the problems. I retreated outside to the van and got a whole lot more abuse; unrepeatable on this forum, but to the effect that the UK would be much better off if our generation was wiped out. All very frightening and sickening and I wonder if we are now in for a period of civil unrest.

 

[TinaLes]

I was just wondering how much a recessed in driveway Rolling Road set up would cost, apart from annoying the neighbours, it would be a win win I reckon.
Yea I know, I am bored and its starting to show
Seriously though, I must give the van a run soon, need to Brim up the diesel tank, & LPG, so its ready in 2021
LES

 

[Figaro]

Dorset Diver That's terrible to hear of your experience.
I hope it's isolated, but fear it may become more common.
Let's hope it doesn't.

 

[ctc]

Vodaphone just called, tracker battery is going flat and it only charges when the engine is running. Insurance said if they can't contact the tracker no insurance for anything.

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[dulvil]

So if someone steals your van,removes the tracker and destroys it, will it not be insured