seldom-used woods truck

[jimmysisson]

My buddy has a late-80s Toyota pickup, carbureted. He uses it rarely, to ferry cordwood around his property and to his on-site rental unit. I doubt he uses 5 gallons of gas a year. He uses Stabil in the gas now, but I know the usual advice is to keep the tank filled to minimize condensation. In his case, might it not be better to only keep a couple of gallons in the tank, so it's more likely to be fresh? He can add a gallon at a time, with Stabil. Or is the condensation more of a problem than the staleness of the fuel?
It's hard for a know-it-all to say I dunno, but what do you all think?
Jim

 

[RalphVa]

I'd throw some Seafoam or Techron in every so often and not worry about it but keep the tank close to full by pouring stored fuel into it.

Ralph

 

[MikeD74T]

I just got rid of a truck like that, 78 Dodge W300. Due to stale fuel problems & fuel theft I disconnected the fuel tank, left it 1/2 full of water & plumbed in a 3 gallon boat tank. Brought tank to the truck, connect & pump the bulb until hard, start the truck. When leaving I'd disconnect the tank & run the carb dry. I used Stabil originally & switched to marine Stabil for the ethanol gas. MikeD74t

 

[jimmysisson]

Mike, I'm guessing you left water in so the thief would remember you! I like the boat tank idea, though my friend would not - not mechanically inclined in any way. Ralph, I think having a full tank might be his best answer, with additives. Yesterday he ran it for over an hour for the first time in months, and the carb smoothed out finally. Must have worked through some of what ailed it before.
Thanks guys.
Jim

 

[radioman]

Keeping the tank full with stabil might be a good idea 10 yrs ago. but now with ethanol mix horror stories, I am inclined to leave it empty or go portable boat tank style.

 

[Jay4200]

Due to stale fuel problems & fuel theft I disconnected the fuel tank, left it 1/2 full of water & plumbed in a 3 gallon boat tank.

That's hilarious.

JayC

 

[RobertBrown]

I just got rid of a truck like that, 78 Dodge W300. Due to stale fuel problems & fuel theft I disconnected the fuel tank, left it 1/2 full of water & plumbed in a 3 gallon boat tank. Brought tank to the truck, connect & pump the bulb until hard, start the truck. When leaving I'd disconnect the tank & run the carb dry. I used Stabil originally & switched to marine Stabil for the ethanol gas. MikeD74t

Brilliant!

 

[HarryVanderpool]

I have a 2 gallon gas tank from a lawn tractor. Fuel line goes into filter then 12 volt electric fuel pump with alligator clips on the end of the wires.
Amasing how many uses I have got out of this device.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Small portable tank and a good inline filter will do just fine.

Chris