Long term parking.

[paigeoliver]

In september I will be parking my motorhome for an fairly indefinite length of time (might be 3 or 6 months, might be 2 or 3 years). Is it better if I drain the oil out of it, or if I start it up and let it idle for a while once every few weeks?

[Bones]

I would go for the start every couple of weeks. If you have/want to move you know it will start. Fuel does go stale though....

I would say idle to normal operating temperature. Most oils work better at running temperature.

[Stingray]

Don't drain the oil. Do fill the fuel tank to the top which will prevent rust in the tank. Depending on how long you park it you may want to put it up on jack stands, which will keep the tires from getting flat spots. Do check the fluids -particularly brake fluid-  before you start it up again. Also you may want to get some of those dessicate bags to leave inside it, this will keep the interior from getting that funky mildew smell. Moth balls & rodent poison are also a good idea.

If you can, drive it at least once a month (as opposed to just letting it idle) long enough to get the engine up to normal operating temp and keep it there for ten or fifteen minutes. This will help keep seals from drying out. Don't forget to top off the tank again before you park it.

-S

[ChadTower]

Also you may want to get some of those dessicate bags to leave inside it, this will keep the interior from getting that funky mildew smell. Moth balls & rodent poison are also a good idea.

I assume he's going to long term park it and live in it, which would eliminate the need of mothballs and such.

Though maybe he wants to smell like a 65 year old circia 1969.

[RayB]

You'll need to start it now and then just to keep the battery going...

[chasmosis]

I'm with Stingray. Don't drain the oil.  Starting it up every once in a while and driving it around to get it up to operating temperatures is a good thing.  Starting it up and just letting it idle isn't the greatest idea, if you don't get it hot enough it doesn't boil the condensation out of the motor, exhaust, etc... and just causes more condensation.

Instead of starting it every so often to charge the battery, I would suggest using one of those battery maintainers which can be bought for cheap like this one:
http://www2.northerntool.com/product-1/12128.htm
It keeps your battery topped off without overcharging it.  My father swears by them and I've got one for one of my old cars which only gets out of the garage a couple times per year.

Also I would suggest suggest adding some fuel stabilizer to your gas tank like Sta-bil (which you should be able to find at wal-mart, k-mart, Ace hardware, etc...).
http://www.drpower.com/prdSell.aspx?p2Name=Maintenance&p1Name=FuelStorage&Name=STABILFuelStabilizer

[Stingray]

Also you may want to get some of those dessicate bags to leave inside it, this will keep the interior from getting that funky mildew smell. Moth balls & rodent poison are also a good idea.

I assume he's going to long term park it and live in it, which would eliminate the need of mothballs and such.

Though maybe he wants to smell like a 65 year old circia 1969.

My misunderstanding. I assumed it was going to be stored somewhere. If you're living in it, you can skip the bit about the dessicate, moth balls & so forth.

-S

[SirPoonga]

You live where it freezes?  I'd get fuel conditioner then.

Otherwise starting it up once an awhile is good.  Make sure you let it run long enough to warm up and idle smoothly.  The worst thing you can do is start it up and not let it get to normal operating temperatures.

I'm sure the stuff my motorcycle manual says to do for storage has good reason and can probably apply here too:
1) get off ground, tires gets soft spot after awhile if not moved.
2) fuel conditioner if not run for several months
3) take battery out and put it on a trickle charger
4) leave at least 3/4th tank of fuel, do not leave empty.

Basically, what stingray said
Errr, I like this new " Warning - while you were typing a new reply has been posted. You may wish to review your post."
Also what chasmosis said

[Crazy Cooter]

State parks (in Minn) require you to change "sites" every week.  It keeps stuff from turning to crap.  What I would do is drive it for ~1/2 hour every two weeks.  That should keep the cobwebs out and clue you in if something is breaking on it.  IMO, fuel stabilizer is a must.  I've had good luck with that Sta-bil stuff and it's pretty cheap.  Fill the tank now and refill whenever you get to 1/2 tank.

Definately move it around so the tires don't get flat spots or rot out.  I had flat spots on a car in as little as 3 months of not moving it and your tires aren't cheap.

[Stingray]

Sta-Bil is a good recommendation.

-S