CPAP users don't need to buy an expensive generator

Dear RV Travel: 

I have sleep apnea and use a CPAP breathing device when sleeping.  I am planning a coast-to-coast trip soon and thought that I would need a generator when having to sleep overnight at a Walmart, etc.  So I thought I would need an expensive generator and have to carry a container of gas and worry that someone would steal the generator, etc.  

Then I got the idea that I could use the receptacle in my truck, which has its own inverter -- Wrong! The truck would have to be running all night as the inverter only works for about 13 minutes when the engine is turned off.  (Every winter I remove my deep cycle battery from my fifth wheel and store it inside.)

This past weekend I decided to purchase an inverter from Harbor Freight on sale for about 30 bucks and change. I got the 750-watt minimum capacity and hooked it up to my battery. I then plugged my CPAP into the inverter and let it run -- not eight but 10 hours, as I figured that I may end up going to sleep early and then get an early start the next morning. The results were great! It was still working even after 10 hours. 

I charged the battery with my battery charger after use, which is what I would normally do at our next stop in an RV park so the battery would be ready for the next emergency boondocking. I will simply purchase another deep cycle battery and keep it charged for the CPAP, or if I need it for the RV. The battery, charger and inverter take up less valuable space and weight than a generator and will ultimately cost less to buy and use.  

Happy camping from John F. in York, Pa.

Part 1 - Readers' suggestions for Editor Chuck's RV storage dilemma

In the RV Travel Newsletter Issue 619, Editor Chuck asked for help with his RV storage dilemma. Below are suggestions from our readers (some of whom are looking for ideas for their own storage dilemmas):

Storing the RV at a storage facility

Russ has lots of useful suggestions: Try to find someplace close by, in a good neighborhood, which provides access at hours you need, with a reliable security system, and on a smooth paved lot. Check with the local police department for theft reports in the area. It would be good to find a storage facility with a dump station, a wash station and some sort of electrical hookup, if possible. Also, a covered storage facility would be good; but, otherwise, see if you can have a cover built, or have the facility build it, for a higher-than-normal rental rate—which would be good for their profitability in the long run. Finding a place that would not mind if you did some minor work on the vehicle while it was stored there would also be helpful.

C. E. Lane, in N.H., writes: “I, too, live in a condo where having an RV on the grounds is against the By-Laws. For three years I did store it at a friend's house, along with their rig, but think they got tired of having it there. So, now I pay $55 a month to store it outside at a self storage place. The downside being that I have to leave my car there when I pick up my motorhome for a trip. If you can find someone who will let you store it on their property, go for it! I'm currently looking around my neighborhood to see if someone has an area that would be good, that I could walk to. Then I will offer to pay them around $40 a month and see if they would go for it :-). Good Luck!”

Jerry Skidmore, in Ky., says: “We have a facility here called Kentucky Underground Storage. It is an old limestone quarry that went out of business several years ago. New owners have converted the massive underground ‘rooms’ into storage space. Temperature stays at a constant 55 degrees all winter and facility is highly secured.” That would be nice, but I don’t think we have anyplace in the Northwest like that.

Devon McCarroll, in the Pacific Northwest, says she and her husband have found that covered storage in the Northwest is pretty rare. After being on a wait-list for a year-and-a-half at a facility, they finally got a carport-style covered spot. She says, “There are a few carport-style storage areas at some of the local storage facilities, but they’re often full or too far away.” She then suggests starting a storage place with a few investors because there’s obviously a high demand for it, and believes “if you started a place that specialized in RV/boat covered storage, you’d fill it up in a New York second and still have a wait list!”

David Daugherty, in central Ind., found a large climate-controlled storage bay for about $450 per month, and is happy that it’s not outdoor. He also mentioned that in California they saw a place that had indoor “group” storage.

Arthur Jacobson, in Texas, is happy with their motorhome storage space: it is in a covered spot and only five minutes from their house. He likes to “go over to the motorhome, open it up and just sit inside to read, very quietly.” He can even run the generator, as the exhaust is toward the open back end of the building.

Kirk Merrill, in Federal Way, Wash., also is happy with his storage space for his fifth wheel. It is in “a safe, secure storage facility that offers both covered and uncovered spaces 15 minutes from my home. Our RV is under cover and plugged in to power, ready to go with minimal preparation.”

Steven Jenkins, from Fla., has researched where to put a motorhome when he gets one. The best solution he could find was rental spaces. A warehouse-like storage area that is enclosed from the weather is rather costly, and the open-air rental spaces cost less but are more prone to break-ins. So, he might find another place to live with more land.

Dick, from the Northeast U.S., also suggests renting space at a self-storage place, adding that they are not very expensive and provide good security.

Part 2 - Readers' suggestions for Editor Chuck's RV storage dilemma

In the RV Travel Newsletter Issue 619, Editor Chuck asked for help with his RV storage dilemma. Below are suggestions from our readers (some of whom are looking for ideas for their own storage dilemmas):

Storing your RV on someone’s property

Bill McMullen, from Fla., suggests renting space from someone who has acreage. He rents space from someone with 20 acres, five miles from his home. It’s outdoors, but he may be able to put up a shelter. He also puts out mouse and rat poison and sprays red ant mounds within 10 feet of his rig at least once every two months. He adds, “Indoors is better, but can get expensive.”

Chris (Avid reader), from Calif., suggests checking with friends “to see if they have space on their property and either barter for the space, get a great monthly discount, or better yet, free!” They are thankful to have room to store their rig, but if a friend asked if they could store theirs for awhile, “I would be more than happy to, even yours. But I know we are quite a ways away.” She also suggests finding a place that offers outside storage with an awning, to be “out of the rain and such.”

Drew suggests, “You might find someone with space on their property but it would need to be covered. That means you’d have to build something on their property. This sounds awkward and probably not very likely.” He then suggests trying to find a storage facility that is covered at least on three sides. His rig is stored in a facility where he has “access almost every day of the year and the hours are good. It is secure (with a gate code) and is totally fenced. Our rig stays reasonably clean and the roof is completely covered.” Drew also mentions that he is enjoying “The Best From Out West” that his daughter gave him for Christmas. Thanks!

Phil Spence, from Fla., says he has found “several entrepreneurs who have purchased or leased empty warehouse space specifically to provide inside storage for RVs, cars, boats and many other items that people do not want to store outside.” He also found someone who had bought some land and built covered storage bays for RVs and boats. He chose one for his coach which has a covered bay in a large, empty lot, which also has water hookups and 15-amp electricity. It also has locked gates and security cameras throughout the property.

Blake Williams, in Fla., says several people he knows found a solution for their storage problem: They “found a fellow that owns a small construction company nearby that had plenty of unused open space, about two acres of flat ground, surrounded by a 6-foot-high perimeter fence.” One person he knows pays $50 per month to park in the open, and Blake pays $75 per month for a covered spot. He adds, “Our host provides us with a key to the gate, and he has since run a 30-amp service pole out so the guys can keep their fridges running while parked. It’s not climate controlled, but a lot better than parking in the open elements, five minutes from the house, and we can get to it 24/7.”

Part 3 - Readers' suggestions for Editor Chuck's RV storage dilemma

In the RV Travel Newsletter Issue 619, Editor Chuck asked for help with his RV storage dilemma. Below are suggestions from our readers (some of whom are looking for ideas for their own storage dilemmas):

RV storage at airplane hangars, boat marinas and county fairgrounds

John Singer, from Colo., writes: “We keep our RV in an airplane hangar at a small airport just east of Denver. This particular hanger is heated, also has a full bath and kitchen. I have never had to winterize the RV.” He says, “The farther away from the major metro area and the smaller the airport, the cheaper the hangars get. … [A] lot of the recreational pilots have sold their planes, leaving a lot of empty airplane hangars. The small general aviation airports are the place to look.” He then did some research and suggested Harvey Field in Snohomish, Wash., for Chuck to check out, and added that they are advertising RV storage for $90 to $400 per month.

Bart Heath, from Wis., also suggests an airport hangar. He says, “Often an RV will fit down a side or back of a hangar and still allow for the movement of the planes in and out.” He keeps his RV in a hangar that he built. “The RV goes in a door built just for it and sits along the back wall, where I can plug it into water, electric and sewer. Planes go in and out the front door. It’s heated so even if we stay around for a Wis. winter, it doesn’t have to be winterized.”

Gary Barrett, from Clinton, Wash., is looking for suggestions. His motorhome is parked in a facility 40 minutes away. It is covered, has water and electricity and is fenced, but it is not heated. He has suggested to Chuck to check with the Edmonds Marina (near where Chuck currently stores his RV) to see if there are any large boat storage facilities that are empty. He also suggested an empty airplane hangar at a nearby air field. He suggests, “If you find a shelter with no heat or sides, you would need to winterize your RV, and that is a real pain when you use it from time-to-time in the off-season, de-winterizing and then winterizing again when you are back from wherever you go.”

Gilberto Olivarria, from California, also suggests an indoor boat storage at a nearby lake, either rental or ownership, such as buying a storage unit in a co-op. He offers the further suggestion that if Chuck stores excess product from his store in the unit, maybe he could write off some of the expenses on his tax return.

Glen Scofield, from Mich., says they store their RV in a barn at a nearby fairground, and although they don’t have casual access to it, they haven’t needed it. He also suggests a local grange or fairgrounds site may allow such access. The only drawback they’ve seen with their arrangement is that, “if we intend to travel early in the spring, we need to tell them so they’ll put the rig where we can get out easily, because there are dozens of other RVs in the same large barn.”

Jim Bell, from Upstate N.Y., also suggests a barn at a county fairground. He says the barns at the fairgrounds are “empty during the winter so they rent the space to anyone wanting to store their RV or boat. … It is cold storage but the RV is safe, dry and well cared for.” In his situation, he can “gain access with a call before I visit, which is not a problem as the operators are as nice a group of people as you could ever meet.”

Bob Seymour also suggests a county fairground for indoor storage of an RV. He adds, “…many of those buildings stand empty for the year and are used for auto/RV storage with in-and-out privileges.” 

Mark Walsh, from New Brunswick, Canada, has the same idea. He says there are agricultural fairgrounds which use their buildings for winter RV and boat storage in his area. He also reports that “some farmers have moved to the rental business where they see more $$ and less problems storing 25-30 rigs at $300 for the winter than letting the buildings lie idle.” He reminds anyone going this route to seal up every tiny crack and pin hole so that little rodents don’t get in.

Roy Shaw, in Ill., also suggests renting a space at the county fair buildings, adding, “This helps the fair expenses and it helps owners.”

Part 4 - Readers' suggestions for Editor Chuck's RV storage dilemma

In the RV Travel Newsletter Issue 619, Editor Chuck asked for help with his RV storage dilemma. Below are suggestions from our readers (some of whom are looking for ideas for their own storage dilemmas):

Some miscellaneous RV storage suggestions

Lee Brandt suggests maybe a “dealership nearby you could do some horse trading with.”

Charles (Chuck) Maurice says to “look around for a small, defunct auto dealership. Perhaps the new owner or lessor does not use the old service bays … Bingo … Instant warehouse space! Problem solved!”

Ed Monkemeier says they store their rig “at a local moving and storage company. It has under-cover storage and full security. We can access it seven days a week through our own access code.”

Wendy Wolter suggests a “mom-and-pop” car lot. That’s what they use for their 36-foot Tiffin. They have worked it out with the owner “so that we can come and go as we please, it’s super close to home, and he lets us park right next to his big building so it’s kind of hidden from the open road. He also is kind enough to let us plug in whenever needed.”

Richard Forlani has a good deal with his local RV dealer (Alpin Haus): “We bought the RV from them and they run a winter storage (Nov.-Apr.) deal for $99 and a summer (May-Oct) deal for $99. They do our winterize/summerize, so it is very convenient.”

Paul M. Fahey, from Mass., says to try a local trucking company. “They often have large buildings that might have a corner just for you. Similarly, I would check with your local towing or taxi companies. Thirdly, I would peruse Craigslist. You might find somebody looking to rent a spot in their garage.” He goes on to state, “I am probably preaching to the choir, but avoid parking it on dirt for any length of time. The moisture from the ground will rust everything.”

Jim White, from Ga., is thinking about putting his Monaco into a campground on a monthly basis while he tries to sell his home (his realtor has told him his RV must be gone while the house is on the market). He is looking for a more permanent solution. I’m sure he’ll find some good suggestions from our other readers!

Doug Spencer, who travels throughout the U.S. with his bride, suggests posting an ad on Craigslist and list your requirements (area, height of door, width, etc.). He says he has “used Craigslist for all kinds of stuff and it has never disappointed me.” He adds that he is always looking at alternatives for storage because of all their traveling.

Brian suggests that Chuck ask the broker at the warehouse he is currently using to see if he can re-rent a smaller portion just for the Winnebago. If not, he suggests checking with a Winnebago dealership or repair shop nearby.

Glenda Alexander suggests some new real estate, such as a garage apartment, and the apartment could be Chuck’s new office; or how about a small vacation house with attached RV port. She was kind enough to send along some links for examples of these suggestions.

George Daunis, in Ariz., is looking for “a property with a large lot that either has an existing garage and a small house or duplex, or room to build a garage. The idea is to rent out the house to pay for the property and thus have a free place to store your RV.”

Bob Hoffman, from Fla., has always been able to get “free” storage by doing a website for a campground. He had previously had a similar deal with a mini-storage place. He thinks maybe Chuck can work out a similar deal by giving someone free advertising in a newsletter.

Ric Newton, in Texas, formerly from Whidbey Island, Wash., suggests a nearby park such as Encore Corp., Thousand Trails, etc., that might rent spaces as storage when they are not heavily in demand, or spaces that have problems such as electrical, sewage, mud, etc., that they would be happy to rent out. Then you could put a semi-portable garage (temporary) on a storage lot and you would have “pretty good storage at a modest outlay.”

David Johnson has a philosophical observation (since they are “only RV renters, so have no suggestions about your storage problem.”) He suggests Chuck “make lemonade out of this lemon. … Here’s a real-life dilemma for you to solve and then tell us about.” Well, David, that’s exactly what Chuck is doing—thanks for that suggestion. 

We hope that by passing along all these great suggestions from our readers, others who are in Chuck’s situation can also get useful ideas.

Beware what you use to clean your carpet

Dear Editor:

My father worked in a furniture store for many years and listened to salesmen that wanted the store to carry their carpet cleaning machines and the liquids that they sold to use with them. (These machines are also rented in other stores.) The salesmen said that once these liquids were used on the carpet, then people would rent the machines more often. The reason: Many, if not all, of these “cleaners” have oils or lanolin in them to attract dirt – so the carpets need to be cleaned more often! This is a good marketing strategy for the manufacturer but is a poor strategy for the consumer. 

My father found a company that sells a product called “Host,” which is a dry carpet cleaning compound that has the texture of sawdust and is environmentally friendly. It has no oil in it and does a wonderful job of cleaning the carpets in our home as well as in our 5th wheel. You just sprinkle it on the carpet, brush it in, let it set for awhile and then vacuum it up. We have used it for years and keep a box in our camper for any type of cleanup as needed. Thought you might appreciate the info. I have no connection with the company.  I appreciate your newsletter.  Much success to you with your business. –Jerry Haidle  Learn more or order here.