Community Forums

genecurp · 11-02-2010, 03:37 PM

I just bought myself a gasoline motor home. I full time but I often park for a month at a time. In the winter I might stay put 2 months.

When should I use gasoline stabilizer?

Thanks to all you experienced RVers.

Gene

Rocky Larson · 11-02-2010, 04:11 PM

I think the turn over rate of the on board gasoline is the deciding factor. If you only fill up every two or three months and allow air space to remain for lengths of time, the use of a stabilizer becomes more important.

I travel long distances, with frequent fill ups, between 3 months at a time parking. I always fill up close to parking, adding enough stabilizer for 75 gallons. After parking I use a 5 gallon gas can to top it off . Running the generator between fill and parking gets the stabilizer in all the right locations.
Some will say that is a little excessive but I feel it is cheap insurance.
Good Luck.

**NLOVNIT** · 11-02-2010, 06:58 PM

My rule of thumb is if it's going to sit longer than 8 weeks, I put fresh gas & Stabil in & run that through the system/genny before parking it. I've never really been confident in how "fresh" the gas is I purchase (has it been in the tank a week, a month...more?), so I don't want to take chances. It is cheap insurance & peace of mind to know I'm keeping the gas from degrading further.

Lori-

DAN L · 11-03-2010, 12:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by genecurp

I just bought myself a gasoline motor home. I full time but I often park for a month at a time. In the winter I might stay put 2 months.

When should I use gasoline stabilizer?

Thanks to all you experienced RVers.

Gene

i use seafoam stabilizer if my moho is going to be unused 3 weeks or more and either drain the genny carb float bowl or run it for at least a half hour every month.

Sea Foam | Home

butterbean · 11-06-2010, 01:02 PM

Howdy,
Nobody ever told me NOT TO USE ETHANOL GASOLINE WITHOUT A STABILIZER IN IT, EXCEPT IN MY WEEDEATER!!!!! Now I've got 50+ gallons of year-old gas and find out I should have used something.. WHAT DO I DO NOW!!!! I'M IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE W/O ANY RV MECHANICS HANDY AND UNABLE TO DO THE WORK MYSELF!!!
butterbean

dsbike · 11-06-2010, 02:24 PM

Butterbean, are you having fuel problems at this time or just concerned your fuel may go bad? If you are just concerned & the MH starts & runs fine, I offer up 3 solutions, the first is better than the 2nd & then better than the 3rd.
1) Take the MH to a shop & have it drained out (personally I think this is a bit radical if it still runs fine)
2) Use the MH, take a trip that you know will use at least 50 gals of gas & fill back up & then if you are going to park for an extended time add the stabilizer to a full tank when you park it. You can top the tank off before using all this fuel & mix the good with the old.
3) add the stabilizer now & if you can top off the tank do so.

If you are having fuel related problems start a new thread in the approiate section. Someone may be closer to you than you realize & can lend a hand.

butterbean · 11-06-2010, 05:22 PM

Howdy Dan,
I have had health problems ever since April or May and have not tried to crank it..
Up until then It had been cranked several times since we traveled in it last fall.. The
gas that's in it was purchased probably in Oct/Nov '09.. When I was able to deal with it the batteries were dead and I've charged the cranking battery and am in the process of slow-charging the house batteries SEPARATELY..
thanx,
butterbean

butterbean · 11-06-2010, 05:26 PM

Also, I live in the middle of nowhere..no rv mechanics around to even ask...

middle of nowhere: Coleman county, Texas 54 milesSE of Abilene 9 miles W of Coleman,TX

Beauregard · 11-07-2010, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rocky Larson

I think the turn over rate of the on board gasoline is the deciding factor. If you only fill up every two or three months and allow air space to remain for lengths of time, the use of a stabilizer becomes more important.

I travel long distances, with frequent fill ups, between 3 months at a time parking. I always fill up close to parking, adding enough stabilizer for 75 gallons. After parking I use a 5 gallon gas can to top it off . Running the generator between fill and parking gets the stabilizer in all the right locations.
Some will say that is a little excessive but I feel it is cheap insurance.
Good Luck.

Great answer Rocky !
I once owned a cuddy cabin cruiser boat. Had a marine 460 cu in and a 75 gallon tank. I always added a quart of sta-bil to the premium gas before winter. I lost interest in the boat. It sat for 2 years before I sold it. Every month during the warmer months I cranked it using the garden hose to cool the engine. My point is after 2 years with sta-bil, my gas would crank the big 460.
butterbean, I would add some octane booster and chevron techron. Try to at least move the unit to mix the additives. Top it off with premium. I only use premium when I'm going to store a gasoline engine device. Electric fuel pumps inside of fuel tanks can seize from the varnish caused by gasohol. Been there done that.

dsbike · 11-07-2010, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by butterbean

Also, I live in the middle of nowhere..no rv mechanics around to even ask...

middle of nowhere: Coleman county, Texas 54 milesSE of Abilene 9 miles W of Coleman,TX

Butterbean, If you were a bit closer to Alvarado I would come out next week & give you hand. But you are 3 hours from where I will be.
Texas is a huge state, looks a lot closer on a map than it really is.

I would do as the other poster suggested add the stabilzer & octane booster, drive it abit if you can. Although it sounds like you may not be able to at this time.
Best of all to you.

WOODYDEL · 11-08-2010, 07:55 AM

You should be treating your gasoline all the time. You won't have to do anything additional when you park IF you use this product.

Star Tron Enzyme Fuel Treatment - Star Tron Gasoline Additive

I know you won't find anyone pushing this product. I use it all the time on everything. It's an enzyme product.

butterbean · 11-08-2010, 09:40 AM

Howdy Dan,
Hey man, in west Texas 3 hours is next door... I'll come and get you and feed
you bar-b-cue if you'll do it... I have absolutely NOBODY out here to help me, except Joyce and she's worn-out from taking care of me and the horses and the house... ONE THING I CAN DO IS DRIVE... I used to live in Midlothian and Joyce used to live in Burleson.. How long are yall gonna be in
AlvaRAdO??

butterbean · 11-08-2010, 09:47 AM

Howdy Woodydel,
I saw that mentioned on a forum, but had never heard of it.. I know everybody's on the enzyme kick today and I believe in enzyme 'therapy' for
lots of applications.. If you've read all of my 'moanings' do you think this is better for my 'problem' than another stabilizer or treatment??
thanx,

John H... · 11-08-2010, 10:03 AM

Just returned from the last trip for this year. I have already winterized, but still have to cover it. A couple of blocks from home, I topped off the gas tank and will add sta-bil for the winter sit. I do run the engine and generator to circulate the sta-bil. May not be absolutely necessary, but feel a lot better having it in there. Do it every year. Also put some in the Harley, the John Deere mower and everything that sits for the winter that may have fuel in. John H...