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To store or not to store?

Tractordoll

Tractordoll

Well-Known Member
Messages
130
Location
Western massachusetts
Some of you may know that over the summer, with all of the crazy storms (a tornado, microburst storm and Hurricane Irene) I have totally lost my 2 car garage. This is the garage I used to store my H2 in for the winter. So now I am faced with a dilemma. Should I store the vehicle for the winter again? Or keep it out in the driveway and under a cover. What I loved about having the truck in my own garage is that I could go out in the winter, start it, run it, take it out for a little drive and put it back. So until I get a new garage built, I am stuck with what I have. I am wondering if anyone has stored a Hummer for the winter and whether it's worth it or not. I really love this truck and still want to keep it for many years to come. I have a reservation for Saturday morning at a storage facility that is large enough to hold the truck. The only problem is that the truck will have to stay in the storage unit until the end of April at the earliest, so if there are any nice driving days, no H2. I also worry about storing my truck somewhere that I don't own or have no control over. What would happen if the storage company went out of business or defaulted on the mortgage? What happens to my truck then? I weclome any thoughts or ideas. Thanks!!
 
M22KLARS

M22KLARS

Unsafe At Any Speed
Messages
2,315
Location
Minnesota
That's a tough choice. I hate storing my fun cars in the winter and that's what I did this past weekend. Always makes me a little sad so I feel your pain. Except wait... you can drive yours in the winter. :wink:

That's gotta be tough not having your own garage for storage but can't you find someone else who has an area to keep your beloved H2 indoors and still be able to get at it when you want? Under a cover on your property might not be a bad idea but could be a bitch to get at when the big thick heavy white stuff falls.

As far as the storage company goes... if it's a reputable storage company I wouldn't be worried about anything. You will sign a contract and if you have any worries read through it first.
 
Bigunit

Bigunit

Hammer Down!
Staff member
Messages
6,561
Location
Arizona
Do you have a second DD? Why not store that one and keep the Deuce in the driveway. Wouldn't you want to have the H2 to get around in the snow and ice during the winter?
 
ReconH3

ReconH3

Guardian Angel
Messages
2,288
Location
Raleigh, NC
If you put in storage, you can always go and take it out when you want. It's like having your garage somewhere else. Unfortunately my H3 spends more time in storage than being used because of my circumstance. My biggest advice is that you get a battery tender and use it religiously. I still have my factory battery thanks to having always used one.


"Ex Umbris Venimus"

Sent from my iPhone
 
Tractordoll

Tractordoll

Well-Known Member
Messages
130
Location
Western massachusetts
ReconH3 said:
If you put in storage, you can always go and take it out when you want. It's like having your garage somewhere else. Unfortunately my H3 spends more time in storage than being used because of my circumstance. My biggest advice is that you get a battery tender and use it religiously. I still have my factory battery thanks to having always used one.


"Ex Umbris Venimus"

Sent from my iPhone
Click to expand...

If I use this storage I will put in the truck and have zero access to the vehicle. The building is locked with no access until next year. It will be stored along with other people boats, rvs, and other exotic sports cars. There is no battery tender so if I drop it off then that's it. The facility is climate controlled for the winter (for the pampered Porsches and ferraris),

If I do this then I will probably need too add some kind of fuel stabilizer (startron for example) and disconnect the battery once it's parked in the facility. I worry about a truck like a hummer sitting idle for the next 6 months. There are a lot of fluid based components such as diffs, xfer case, transmission for example and all of the fluids will run down to the lowest part of the vehicle. I am unsure of what would need to be done next year. Is it just as simple as start up and go? Or is it more complicated if it's been sitting for a while? I don't want to face major repair bills next year.

Hope that helps explain my dilemma! And yes secretly I would miss not having my big gnarly truck for so long even though I don't really put that many miles on it.
 
ReconH3

ReconH3

Guardian Angel
Messages
2,288
Location
Raleigh, NC
For long term storage you usually replace the fluids before storing it. The contaminants that get accumulated from usage are the ones that can cause corrosion or deposits. New fluids won't have this problem.


"Ex Umbris Venimus"

Sent from my iPhone
 
Flash

Flash

Well-Known Member
Messages
195
Location
Michigan
1. for fuel storage use Sea Foam (about $8/can). Outstanding product.
2. I store my boat in the winter as I prefer to use the garage for the H3 then. I have used both storage units (typically $100/mo) and Boat barns (typically $500/season). The storage units give me 24/7 access via a security code. Cost is the same (Nov-Apr).
3. Another option would be to have it shrink wrapped in your yard (about $250) like boat/pontoon owners do. Downside is you can't go start it without cutting the shrinkwrap. Upside is you'll know exactly where it is and have immediate access if anyhting were to happen to the T.
 
Yarjammer

Yarjammer

Well-Known Member
Messages
63
Location
Woodinville, WA
Since the facility is temp/humidity controlled I would do a fluid change out like others have suggested, top off the gas tank, and pull the battery (put it on a battery tender at home.) If you top off the tank it can be stored for 3-4 months without any additives; but that is your choice. I used to do this with my Porsche without any issues.
 
3

3Hummers

Super Moderator
Staff member
Messages
10,529
Location
Central Texas
Angela, have you thought about one of those metal pre-fab carports? They aren't expensive and would protect the truck from most of the weather. They can be installed in a day.
 
DJinCO

DJinCO

Well-Known Member
Messages
1,565
Location
Colorado - Sometimes Park County; usually Colo Spr
This is easy. I have the answer to the problem.

Here in Colorado we don't use salt. As a matter of fact, it snows and melts pretty quickly.
People LOVE to buy a Colorado car because of the lack of rust. You are correct in the concern for your fluids and battery.

I will be more than happy to watch your H2 over the winter. Send it out to me; probably less to ship it to Colorado than to store it in Mass.
Your H2 will be lovingly cared for. I'll drive it and make sure that the fluids are properly circulated all winter long.
I would even change the motor oil before I ship it back to Mass in the summer.

I think that is a very easy solution. Besides, you shouldn't let your H2 associate with the pampered Porsches and Ferraris. Your H2 might pick up some bad habits.

I probably wouldn't even drive it in the snow, since I have my own Hummer to drive in the snow, as well as a Tahoe with Blizzak's for the really nasty icy days. (Like tomorrow morning is expected to be.) Of course you would be pleased to know that your H2 would be basking in the warm sunshine on the nice days. It's expected to be in the 60's this weekend with no precipitation.

I could provide you with some nice photos and a weekly journal tracking your H2's adventures in Colorado over the winter.

Think of this like sending your H2 off to "camp" for the winter.

People send kids to camp; they even send their dogs off to camp-bow-wow for daycare and vacations; why not treat your H2 the same way?

I think it's a great plan!
 
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