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.