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Best procedure for long term vehicle storage?

lakeguy55

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I realize this horse died a while ago, but please bear with me for a few more lashes. I'm putting mine up for a long winters nap (about 3 months). I've read the manual and all the replies here but I still have a few questions.

It's in an insulated but unheated garage. The garage is mostly below grade so it rarely goes below 40 degrees in there. SOC is 56%. I do not have access here to my normal L2 charger.

I have found conflicting info from Ford and on here relating to the LVB. The manual says to disconnect it and put it on a trickle charge. But the attached graphic from Ford says disconnect OR put it on a trickle charge.

Ford F-150 Lightning Best procedure for long term vehicle storage? 1703520876813


Ideally I'd like to keep the LVB connected with a trickle charger on it so I can remotely monitor status and perhaps get any updates that may occur in that time. It is in close proximity to my wifi.

What would be the downsides to keeping the LVB connected vs disconnected. In either case, I would put the charger on it.
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RickLightning

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The manual says disconnect, nothing about a trickle charge. Given your circumstances, leave it connected and on a properly connected trickle charger (negative to ground, not battery).

You likely won't get updates, because driving the car trips you to get them.
 

The Weatherman

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What @RickLightning said ^.

Use the jumper points in the passenger side fender for attaching my trickle charger as needed. Has worked flawlessly for the past 8months.
 

lakeguy55

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I put the truck in the garage on December 26th. LVB still connected with trickle charger on it. When I put it away, SOC was 56%. Garage never went below freezing and was in the mid-30s for most of the winter.
Took it out yesterday. SOC was still 56%. Didn't lose a bit over 3.5 months. Everything seems fine.
 
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Barrels

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I put the truck in the garage on December 26th. LVB still connected with trickle charger on it. When I put it away, SOC was 56%. Garage never went below freezing and was in the mid-30s for most of the winter.
Took it out yesterday. SOC was still 56%. Didn't lose a bit over 3.5 months. Everything seems fine.
Me too. I got back after 5 months. Left the Ligtning at 49% with the 12v battery disconnected and on a trickle charger. Put it back in, started up, and SOC was 49%!
 

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Alex in Silver City

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Appreciate this thread. Leaving mine for 4 months this winter. Will leave SOC at 50% per recommendations and disconnect/put LVB on tender. But what about the tires? Is there no concern about tire damage from not moving for 4 months with full weight of vehicle on them? Was wondering if I should lift the truck a little...
 
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Barrels

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I had no noticeable damage from my 5 month storage at the recommended 36psi on the OEM Hankooks. Of course I have just disposed of those pieces of garbage at 19K due to outside and inside edge wear and a too severe to repair blow out. Hopefully the Falken Wildpeaks I bought will do as well this winter
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