People have many reasons for wanting to use self storage for things like boats, 4-wheelers, RVs, cars, motorcycles and small recreational vehicles like ATVs, and jet skis. Some people lack the space at their homes or apartment buildings to store these vehicles or they’re using available space for other items. Others choose to store things like an extra car in self storage, where it’s available should they need it, while securely stored and protected from the elements.
Sometimes the security offered at a self storage facility is much better than the security available when parking on the street in certain areas. And some people even use self storage as a convenient place to park when they work in cities, or areas where parking is limited and more expensive than the monthly fee at the self storage facility.
Regardless of the reason for using self storage for vehicles and boats, there are some good things to do before storing them to ensure that when you’re ready to use them again, they’ll be in tip-top condition.
The type of vehicle storage you choose will depend mostly on your budget, how protected you want the vehicle to be from the elements, and how much security you want. An outdoor storage unit is the least expensive, but also the least protected from both the weather and would-be thieves. As long as the storage facility has excellent security and good lighting for its outdoor units, security may not be an issue. But the vehicle will be exposed to the outdoor elements, even if the unit has a roof or a carport over the top, or is an open, garage-type structure.
These outdoor units are best for vehicles that are large, like RV storage, vehicles that aren’t very valuable (you wouldn’t want to store that classic show car in outdoor storage, for instance) or that aren’t going to be put in long term storage. Many facilities even have hook ups for RVs in each unit.
You can also find vehicle storage in a drive-up garage space that offers a garage-type door over each unit, rather than being open. Drive-up storage costs more than outdoor storage but offers protection from the elements (though probably not the temperature, unless it’s a climate control storage unit) and more security.
A drive up indoor storage unit will cost the most, as it’s most likely a climate control unit that won’t go below 50 or 60 degrees, or above 80 degrees. This offers the most protection for your vehicle or boat.
When you’re storing a vehicle that’s not going to be used frequently, such as long term storage of a classic car during the winter months, you’ll want to follow good storage preparation practices to make sure that your vehicle comes out of storage in the same condition it went in.
For most vehicles, a thorough cleaning is the first step. You want to clean both the inside and the outside of the vehicle thoroughly. Make sure that the engine is tuned up and that you’ve applied lubricant anywhere rust could possibly form. Make sure engine parts and moving parts are thoroughly dry when they should be, and lubricated otherwise. Any water left in the engine area can cause problems.
Also, don’t just dust and vacuum the interior, but do a detailed cleaning. Even the smallest crumbs left in the vehicle can attract vermin, even in indoor storage. Make sure the tires are properly inflated, and in some cases you’ll even want to put wooden planks or other material on the floor to drive the vehicle onto to protect it further, as well as to protect the floor. All vehicles should be cleaned and prepared in this manner, and boats should be dried especially well before storage to avoid damage.
Be aware that vehicle self storage, whether indoors or outdoors, is for running vehicles only. Your self storage facility will likely not allow you to store a vehicle that must be towed in, as they don’t allow you to work on a vehicle while in self storage. Because of the fluids, fuels and chemicals used when working on engines and other parts of vehicles, this is prohibited.
Also, you’ll want to check your vehicle storage often to make sure that the tires remain inflated at all times. Also, for boat storage, RV storage and vehicle storage, you’ll probably need to show proof of ownerships and insurance, and make sure that the vehicles display valid license plates the entire time they’re stored.
