I added some fuel stabilizer to a full tank of fuel before storing.
Fuel can begin to gel as it gets older so make sure the tank is full
and add stabilizer to keep it fluid.  I used Sta-Bil.

As for the battery, I think it's best to remove it and store it
indoors (not in the freezing cold).  Then put it on a charger for a
few hours before using it next time.

Thanks pretty much all I did.  You can consider rodent/pest problems
and lay some traps or poison if you think it'll be a problem.

Joe
1982 Westfalia Vanagon
Stratford, ON

On 4-Dec-09, at 6:36 PM, Michael Hart wrote:

I'm off on a long trip and need to store my Westy for 8 months. It
will be stored in an unheated garage in the CA Sierra Nevada
(mountains) @ 7,000 foot level, where the temperatures go down to
below 0F. Recommendations on how to prepare the van? (From the recent
thread on antifreeze, it would seem the standard 50-50 blend is
adequate for this & lower temperatures?). Specifically, should I keep
some level of background heat around the engine?; leave batteries on
trickle or solar charge or completely remove & store them?; anything
else to prepare?

Thanks,
Mike
'87 Westy