Anything to consider if the Tundra is used less and parked outside?

[PWMDMD]

Alright BITOG braintrust. I just purchased a 2025 Forester that will be my main vehicle and the Tundra is now going to become the less used "work truck". I'm out in the woods of central Massachusetts and all of our vehicles have always been used daily. The Tundra will be parked on gravel on the side of the garage and I plan to drive it at least weekly and for family trips. I'll be driving the truck most of the summer too when the 20 year old is home from school. I have chipmunks, squirrels, and mice. I'm mostly concerned about rodent damage if the truck sits. Over the years, I've occasionally found evidence of rodents making nests under engine covers as the weather turns cold even with cars were driven frequently, but never any issues with chewed wires. I think the Tundra has soy-based wire insulation and something at some point did chew the top surface off a cloth-like covering in the engine bay underneath the windshield cowl.

Honda makes a pepper based spray for wire harnesses but is there anything else to think about if the truck is sitting there for 5 or 6 days between drives?

 

[1444buicking]

Peppermint oil drops worked on our cars pretty well. Some say to use it every few days at first but I don't know best practices. Car smells like a christmas candy cane all the time.

There are high-frequency noise generators that might help in your area too.

We found that parking over moist ground seems to accelerate corrosion under the car. If you just have an inch of gravel over moist ground you might think about that.

 

[JHZR2]

I’d be more concerned with the paint and ensuring that how/where you park keeps direct uv off the headlights, than rodents, but ymmv. If that’s a big enough issue, then I would go for the sprays, or even look into the ultrasonic devices.

 

[PWMDMD]

I’d be more concerned with the paint and ensuring that how/where you park keeps direct uv off the headlights, than rodents, but ymmv. If that’s a big enough issue, then I would go for the sprays, or even look into the ultrasonic devices.

Truck has lived outside for its entire 5 year life (doesn't fit in the garage) and where it has been parked gets much more sun than where it will be parked. I get it detailed and waxed yearly and the paint is in great condition - it looks brand new.

 

[Ronsant]

Maybe time for a fluid film treatment underneath????

 

[PWMDMD]

Maybe time for a fluid film treatment underneath????

Thanks for the idea! I applied the Amsoil undercoating (MP HD I think) when it was new and it has surprisingly little rust for a 5 year old truck in an area that uses quite a bit of salt. Actually, the trailer hitch area, which I didn't treat, has the most rust. I'm planning to clean that up and apply some new paint.

 

[Ronsant]

Thanks for the idea! I applied the Amsoil undercoating (MP HD I think) when it was new and it has surprisingly little rust for a 5 year old truck in an area that uses quite a bit of salt. Actually, the trailer hitch area, which I didn't treat, has the most rust. I'm planning to clean that up and apply some new paint.

My stepdad had an F150, and I did an oil and filter change for him. I was very surprised at the amount of surface rust on the underside. He parked it in a gravel driveway for years.

 

[eljefino]

Peppermint oil, that Honda hot pepper electrical tape, hardware cloth (1/4" screen) over the air intake, and a solar panel behind the driver's head inside the rear window keeping things charged.

IMO gravel drains better than grass or mud. It's all a matter of reference.

 

[KrisZ]

I would probably use some sort of liquid mouse and rodent repellent and spray the inside of the engine bay with it. Something like this should work.

 

[GON]

I am a huge proponent of a perimeter of tiny bait stations in a circular staggered array around the vehicle from 5 meters to 50 meters.

Buy the cheap smaller bait stations in bulk on Amazon. The bait can be purchased at tractor supply.

You won't thank me later for doing this, but you won't have mice in your truck ever. Everything else is a hope and a prayer, this is what will let you sleep well at night.

 

[PWMDMD]

My stepdad had an F150, and I did an oil and filter change for him. I was very surprised at the amount of surface rust on the underside. He parked it in a gravel driveway for years.

I did the undercoating when new and I'm pretty conscientious about going to the touchless car wash which has an underbody spray. Seems to have worked well.

 

[nomas]

I would declare a Jihad on those little rodents . Bait stations , traps , you name it . Eliminate anything attractive to them like bird feeders , etc.

 

[PWMDMD]

I would declare a Jihad on those little rodents . Bait stations , traps , you name it . Eliminate anything attractive to them like bird feeders , etc.

My rodents are particularly stupid too. A couple of years the kids left a saucer style sled outside and with the spring rains I'd go out to find 3 or 4 dead chipmunks and 2 or 3 dead mice who all drowned in the sled.

 

[The Critic]

Honda makes a rodent tape but you will need to manually wrap the harness yourself.

Congrats on the 25 Forester - my sister has one. They're pretty much giving them away these days; great daily driver for the money as long as it's under warranty.

 

[scoot]

Most expensive vehicles go inside rule 1 . Which one is worth more ?

 

[faltic]

Alright BITOG braintrust. I just purchased a 2025 Forester that will be my main vehicle and the Tundra is now going to become the less used "work truck". I'm out in the woods of central Massachusetts and all of our vehicles have always been used daily. The Tundra will be parked on gravel on the side of the garage and I plan to drive it at least weekly and for family trips. I'll be driving the truck most of the summer too when the 20 year old is home from school. I have chipmunks, squirrels, and mice. I'm mostly concerned about rodent damage if the truck sits. Over the years, I've occasionally found evidence of rodents making nests under engine covers as the weather turns cold even with cars were driven frequently, but never any issues with chewed wires. I think the Tundra has soy-based wire insulation and something at some point did chew the top surface off a cloth-like covering in the engine bay underneath the windshield cowl.

Honda makes a pepper based spray for wire harnesses but is there anything else to think about if the truck is sitting there for 5 or 6 days between drives?

I had almost $6k damage to my '19 Tacoma wiring by squirrels. Insurance covered it, thx GEICO. Put moth balls under the hood and the squirrels came back (they chewed the bag with the moth balls.) Best advice don't let trick sit if you got squirrels around.

 

[PWMDMD]

Most expensive vehicles go inside rule 1 . Which one is worth more ?

Well the truck is 5 years old and the RX 350 is 6 years old and the Kia is well, a Kia, so the Forester will be the most expensive. The Tundra doesn't fit in the garage anyway (it will fit with a clearance of about 1" between it and the garage door but then you can't use the steps to walk into the mudroom) and half the garage is an at home gym that my kids use daily. Regardless of value, my wife's car goes in the garage because that's the way she wants it.

 

[BobsArmory]

Get the traps out, put them in the freezer when you catch them and if you get enough you can do something like this.

 

[Inked]

“I am a huge proponent of a perimeter of tiny bait stations in a circular staggered array around the vehicle from 5 meters to 50 meters.”

Some very good suggestions posted but @GON has the best based on my own experience. Notice that the inner perimeter in no less than 5 meters because you don’t want to draw them too close to the Tundra but do want to eliminate the vermin that would be drawn to the truck for shelter and/or the soy based harnesses. The outer perimeter of 50 meters is also on point because they will travel that far, especially at the onset of colder weather.

I will add that you need to keep the bait fresh and most importantly, if you have pets that go outside, make sure they are not unattended at any point! These baits often have ingredients meant to attract the quarry such as oats, honey etc. that will also attract dogs and cats.

 

[Marcozi]

Get a couple of cats. Reward them with treats when they show up at your door with nice in their jaws.