You don’t have to be in the comedy movie National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation to enjoy traveling around the country in your RV (Recreational Vehicle), but if you find yourself
with a 20-foot motor home and a tiny, 1-car garage, you may become the laughing stock of your neighborhood. Though a motor home is a great travel option in the summer, what do you
do with this small house-on-wheels come winter?
Typical RVs range in size from 18-25 feet and weigh up to 3,000 pounds, so you can’t just throw it in the attic like all your other unused trinkets, exercise equipment, and bell
bottom pants that you’re sure will become trendy again. We can’t do anything about your poor fashion sense, but Self Storage Finders can help you find the perfect solution for your
RV storage. It’s as easy as entering your city or ZIP code in the search bar below and then oohing and aahing at the list of nearby self storage facilities that come up!
Whether you need to store your Camper, Fifth Wheel or Travel Trailer between self-discovery (read: midlife crisis) road trips or for an entire season, RV storage is the ideal
scenario. This type of self storage is monitored with security cameras for safety, offers protection from the elements, and many have an onsite facility manager and 24/7 access
(because sometimes you just need to take that road trip now). And with 2.5 billion square feet of rentable self storage space in the country, your chances of finding a storage
facility close to your home, work or therapist’s office is pretty much guaranteed!
WHO NEEDS THIS TYPE OF STORAGE?
If you have to ask this question, perhaps you’d be better off with a tent in your backyard. But since you are asking, here’s who needs this type of storage:
- people who own RVs
- the characters in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
- travel enthusiasts who want to protect their motor home from the elements
WHO DOESN’T NEED THIS TYPE OF STORAGE?
Just to make it absolutely clear, people who do not need this type of storage include:
- people who do not own Recreational Vehicles
- RV owners with enormous garages
- anyone who sees damage to their RV as a challenge
WHAT TYPES OF RV STORAGE ARE AVAILABLE?
The catchy phrase “out of sight, out of mind” applies not just to your ex-spouse, but to items put in self storage, too. The point of using storage facilities is so that you can
leave your worry at the roll-up door and go on with your life, knowing that your Winnebago will be safe and secure. Here are the three basic types of storage for your motor home:
Indoor RV & Trailer Storage
The most expensive type of storage is an enclosed RV storage unit, which is similar to a garage. The enclosure may have amenities such as heat or electricity and can only
be accessed by the vehicle owner. If you live in an extreme climate with severe storms or snowfall, this option may be the best one for you.
Covered RV & Trailer Storage
A covered RV self storage unit has three walls and a roof, like a carport. Typically no amenities are provided but it will protect your motorhome from inclement weather, such as
sun, rain, hail, and snow. Not all storage facilities offer this type of RV storage
Outdoor RV & Trailer Storage
This type of RV storage is the most popular and affordable, and is essentially a covered parking spot. Your RV is parked under a canopy which protects it from the sun but does not
block your vehicle from moisture or wind damage. If you live somewhere with mild weather, this may be the right solution for you.
COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT STORING AN RV
What documentation is required?
You’ll need to bring in two documents to rent an RV storage unit: a government-issued ID like your driver’s license or passport, and your vehicle registration and insurance
(ok, so three documents).
If you’ve reserved a unit online with our handy-dandy self-storage finder, bring in a copy of your confirmation page. This will make the transaction 45 seconds faster for
those who are in a rush to hit the road for some rest and relaxation.
Check with your insurance provider to see if your insurance policy covers storing your motorhome in a RV storage facility, and then bring in a copy of your insurance policy.
What happens if you pay your rent late?
At most self storage facilities your rent is considered late anywhere between 5 and 30 days after the first of the month. Once you default on your rent, the storage
facility manager will lock you out of your storage unit, call you, and send you a letter. If you pay up, you’ll get your unit back.
If you don’t pay up, you can kiss your Ford Model T motorhome goodbye because the storage facility can, by law, auction off your stored items. If you’re lucky, you might
see your RV on an episode of Pimp My Ride.
What are the chances of being locked out of my storage unit?
Only if you forget your key, show up at the wrong storage facility or it’s the middle of the night.
HOW TO PREPARE YOUR RV FOR STORAGE
Protecting your RV, Motorhome or Pop-Up Trailer from the elements will ensure that they stay in pristine working condition. There’s nothing like hopping into the driver’s seat,
cranking up the tunes, and then...having to tow this one-and-a-half-ton sucker to a mechanics.
Storing your Recreational Vehicle will save you from expensive repairs, extend its life, and prevent dirt, dust, and super-glue-strength bird droppings from damaging the paint job
and windows. Follow these basic rules before putting your vehicle into RV self storage:
- Remove perishable items or anything that may suffer damage if exposed to extreme temperatures, such as electronics, liquids and food.
- Disconnect the battery or remove it during the winter. You should also turn off anything that is plugged in, like your refrigerator.
- Clean out the sewage and water tanks as well as empty the toilets and water heater.
- Dry your pipes to prevent water from freezing, expanding, and then bursting your pipes. Don’t forget to add antifreeze to drains and the toilet.
- Top off the propane tank and close off the gas tank. Remember to turn off any appliances that use gas, such as stoves or water heaters.
- Top off your fluids (oil, radiator, brake) and add antifreeze to the radiator and fuel stabilizer to the gas tank.
- Remove tires and put your vehicle up on blocks. Also, release the emergency brake to avoid it fusing with the rotors.
- Use an RV cover to protect the vehicle from dust, extreme weather, and rodents.
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