Keeping it good safe and long lived.

[G3WRT]

I am to take delivery of my coast soon I am told. I want to park it in my field, not on concrete. Are there issues with that which will result in deterioration. I assume the thing is rustproofed and I am aware of the obvious dew, come rising damp and so on. Are these serious issues to be avoided . I am talking of weeks, possibly months. Like any car it needs regular use of course. But standing in a field. That is my question. Is it worth putting in a concrete base?

 

[Lightning]

I am to take delivery of my coast soon I am told. I want to park it in my field, not on concrete. Are there issues with that which will result in deterioration. I assume the thing is rustproofed and I am aware of the obvious dew, come rising damp and so on. Are these serious issues to be avoided . I am talking of weeks, possibly months. Like any car it needs regular use of course. But standing in a field. That is my question. Is it worth putting in a concrete base?

Mice eating the wires is pretty common.

 

[WelshGas]

I am to take delivery of my coast soon I am told. I want to park it in my field, not on concrete. Are there issues with that which will result in deterioration. I assume the thing is rustproofed and I am aware of the obvious dew, come rising damp and so on. Are these serious issues to be avoided . I am talking of weeks, possibly months. Like any car it needs regular use of course. But standing in a field. That is my question. Is it worth putting in a concrete base?

Doesn’t have to be a concrete base but definitely a grass free base.

It is recommended that if not being kept in a dry, warm garage area, then outside is best and under a carport/ roof even better.

Also it is recommended putting it on Mains Hookup for at least 12 hrs/ monthly to keep batteries in good condition, as mentioned in Handbook.
Eberspacher, who make the diesel parking heater, recommend running that monthly until upto temperature. I run it for an hour .

 

[Elmo3]

Build a field shelter with a base.

 

[vmaxkiddy]

Don’t park with the handbrake on, leave in gear or park, depending on which gearbox you have.

 

[B J G]

Since not on a concrete base it would be best on a hard standing, less damp ground underneath and the tyres won't slowly sink in.
Paving slabs under each wheel if no hardstanding possible.
cover wheels/tyres with a light/UV proof material and put tyre pressures up to about 50psi

If a portable generator available use that monthly to keep batteries charged. Small solar units available which would be simpler.
An option, cheaper ones could be used.

Milenco Solar Car & Caravan Leisure Battery Charger by Optimate

Maximise the power of your battery with the worlds most efficient solar pulse charge system, employing innovative pulse charge technology to effectively maintain your 12v leisure battery with no risk of overcharging.

www.towsure.com

 

[andyinluton]

If a portable generator available use that monthly to keep batteries charged.

Why use a generator? I assume you wouldn't leave a generator hooked up & running & leave the van unattended, why not just turn on the van engine & use the max charge facility.

 

[B J G]

Not good for the engine to run for short periods, emission system clogs up.
Generator as in a field but needs to attended use for a few hours until batteries charged.

Thought that it was obvious not a leave it unattended suggestion.

 

[andyinluton]

Not good for the engine to run for short periods, emission system clogs up.
Generator as in a field but needs to attended use for a few hours until batteries charged.

Thought that it was obvious not a leave it unattended suggestion.

What I was getting at was, if you've got to go and stand by the van while the generator does its work, you might just as well spend the same time sitting in the van driving it.

 

[B J G]

What I was getting at was, if you've got to go and stand by the van while the generator does its work, you might just as well spend the same time sitting in the van driving it.

Based on the van being left for up to a number of months with no use, solar battery charge is best option but if a visit is possible a portable generator is next best option as static running of an engine is not a good thing due to the emission system not getting up to full working temperature.

If intending to do a monthly half hour, or more, drive then that would negate the need to mains charge the batteries. Still best to mains charge as the recommended 24 hour charge time will keep the batteries in better condition over time.

 

[Elmo3]

If you’re leaving unattended for weeks / months in the middle of a field, rodents could absolutely destroy it. You also need a suitable insurance policy as most will not allow a vehicle to be left unattended for months.

 

[G3WRT]

Doesn’t have to be a concrete base but definitely a grass free base.

It is recommended that if not being kept in a dry, warm garage area, then outside is best and under a carport/ roof even better.

Also it is recommended putting it on Mains Hookup for at least 12 hrs/ monthly to keep batteries in good condition, as mentioned in Handbook.
Eberspacher, who make the diesel parking heater, recommend running that monthly until upto temperature. I run it for an hour .

thankyou appreciated. is there a compromise possible? like a wood base? concrete is a bit permanent but possible in my field. I suppose its the extent of it thats required is the actual question, plus squirrels etc!

especially the reminder that those batteries will need replacing eventually. So looking forward to it and MP in the times article yesterday depressed me.

 

[G3WRT]

If you’re leaving unattended for weeks / months in the middle of a field, rodents could absolutely destroy it. You also need a suitable insurance policy as most will not allow a vehicle to be left unattended for months.

appreciated. Thankyou.

 

[G3WRT]

Mice eating the wires is pretty common.

yes , bloody hell. I am warned.

 

[G3WRT]

Build a field shelter with a base.

yes I agree that makes sense. any idea of the cost for something simple?

 

[G3WRT]

Since not on a concrete base it would be best on a hard standing, less damp ground underneath and the tyres won't slowly sink in.
Paving slabs under each wheel if no hardstanding possible.
cover wheels/tyres with a light/UV proof material and put tyre pressures up to about 50psi

If a portable generator available use that monthly to keep batteries charged. Small solar units available which would be simpler.
An option, cheaper ones could be used.

Milenco Solar Car & Caravan Leisure Battery Charger by Optimate

Maximise the power of your battery with the worlds most efficient solar pulse charge system, employing innovative pulse charge technology to effectively maintain your 12v leisure battery with no risk of overcharging.

www.towsure.com

I have a drive but would prefer to put it up the field. Excuse my ignorance (please) but what is a hardstanding? I put in limestone scalpings and then gravel ontop of my drive but I assume even so damp and so on rise as they do on grass. Perhaps not so much but it still must happen.

 

[WelshGas]

I have a drive but would prefer to put it up the field. Excuse my ignorance (please) but what is a hardstanding? I put in limestone scalpings and then gravel ontop of my drive but I assume even so damp and so on rise as they do on grass. Perhaps not so much but it still must happen.

A Hardstanding - concrete or as you described for your drive. What you don't want is the grass etc: growing under the vehicle.
So, remove turf and at least 6" of soil for an area 2 m longer and 2m wider than the vehicle. Weed proof membrane then large and finally small gravel , so nothing can grow near or under the vehicle.

 

[Elmo3]

yes I agree that makes sense. any idea of the cost for something simple?

You could dig out, put down a membrane and a wagon load of crush and run (wacker plate to compact it). In terms of a structure, depends what you are allowed to put up in the field by local planners etc. Timber prices have gone through the roof I‘m afraid and set to rise further so no idea on current prices, it’s so variable.

 

[Vagophile]

thankyou appreciated. is there a compromise possible? like a wood base? concrete is a bit permanent but possible

Find some second hand paving flags to put down on the line of the wheels. I had my motorhome parked like this for years on what was otherwise grass. 16 2ftX2ft would do, probably be able to source quite cheaply second hand. When you don't need it any more, just lift and restore.

 

[Ch1pbutty]

You could get some of the plastic grids, lay on top of a weed membrane & gravel on top:

Plastic Grids for Driveways, Shed Bases & Events | Ecodeck

Ecodeck offer high quality plastic grids for shed bases, driveways and events. Suitable for a variety of surfaces and environments.

www.ecodeck.biz