I have posted this in other forums, but would like to get some feedback from here too..

I bought my truck mainly for towing. Therefore it has been sitting in the shed since I purchased it (about two weeks). I have heard it is bad to drive a diesel for short trips, and that it is better to just let it sit.

Is there any harm, or tips for someone who is going to be letting their truck sit for weeks at a time???

Thanks!

BTW, it is a 2006 Dodge quad cab Cummins turbo diesel...

 

short trips dont hurt them drive the heck out of it

 

I don't understand how you could have a great truck sittin in the shed and not drive the heck out of it!
The more you read this site the more you'll want to drive it.
P.S. welcome to the DTR!!!!

 

well welcome to DTR!! and like my teachers always told us "The only stupid question is the one not asked!" but if your not going to drive it bring it over here to maryland and scott and i will GLADLY drive it for you!!!

 

Thanks for the welcome, and let me explain some things of my own....

Ok, let me explain my reasoning for letting it sit.

I already HAVE a daily driver (Acura RSX type S). My daily driver gets over 30 MPG, so I have no incentive to drive the druck as it costs lots of $$ for fuel. I only bought the truck to use for towing ATV trailers to the coast and to St. Anthony ID (dunes).

If I just let it sit, isn't that better than driving it for short 1/2 hour trips??? Won't this keep the oil from getting contaminated??

I had always heard the short trips were hard on a diesel.....???

Again, I am new to diesels, so please be patient with me as a lot of this is new to me.
Thanks again!

 

I drive my truck back and forth to work every day only 10 miles each way. That probably only applies to he old diesels of yesterday. Plus it's only money, can't take it with you.

 

you probably didnt need a diesel truck to tow atv trailer anyway. drive the heck out of it and your mileage will increase, driving it has its perks to.

 

2fun we are just giving you a hard time. the more you drive your truck the better your fuel milage will be hauling a heavy load a good distance will help it too. when i first got my truck last year i was getting about 16 mpg and i now have 23K miles on it and i'm getting 19.5 mpg and i know my truck isn't even broken in yet. and my truck has some more mods in store for it in the future.

 

True, but I have some future plans for any extra money that I might be able to save

Perhaps I didn't give enough detail on the ATV trailers... The ones I'm looking at weigh up to and more than 8,000 lbs. Some of the bigger toy haulers weigh quite a bit more than that when fully loaded, so I was instructed by several who have already gone with gassers first, to go for the diesel right from the start. Better gas mileage, and easier towing up the hills when fully loaded

Thats ok I can take a little bit of ribbing I've been known to dish it out too though I know the truck will get better gas mileage as I pour on the miles, but have no reason to let the Acura sit at home either



So...................
You all have pretty much told me that it is ok to run the truck for short trips..

Is it going to HURT the truck to sit for weeks at a time if I don't drive it??

Are there any precautions I need to consider if I decide to let it sit for a few weeks at a time??

Thanks again for all the input! I appreciate any and all feedback you can give me concerning these new diesels!

 

Welcome to DTR!!

First off ,(after 500 miles break in period ), fill the tank and drive it till you are almost out of fuel, then refill tank and do the same on the way back!!

Do this while towing 12k and then come and tell us the results!! Do this consistently until your mileage begins to climb!

Sounds strange but it works!!

Rick

 

Driving low on fuel will shorten the life of your fuel pump . The fuel acts as a coolant and running low causes the pump to run hot .

 

Welcome to DTR

I would get a Battery Minder Plus and put it on the truck if you are gonna leave it for weeks on end. It will keep the batteries fully charged, desulfated and ready to go.

 

Don't forget to stuff a honeydew in the tailpipe, so nothing makes a home in your exhaust system while sitting in the shed.

 

Won't hurt it to sit. If it's just sitting for a couple weeks at a time you don't need to do anything special.

Half hour trips are plenty long for full warm-up, though. There is a oil to water heat exchanger hiding behind the filter, so the 3 gallons of oil are warm as soon as the coolant is. You just don't want to be making a habit out of 10 minute hops. That goes for any vehicle - not just a diesel.

 

Wish I had you problem.
I have had my 07 for month today it had 4000 miles on it
If I keep this up the warn. will be used up before it has a birthday