When cold weather hits and your camping trips fade, you’ll need RV storage. While storing your RV isn’t as fun as traveling in it, it’s still an important part of RV ownership. Today, we’ll look at how to keep your RV safe and secure when camping season comes to a close. Let’s get started!
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What RV Storage Options Are There?
If you’re left scratching your head wondering what options exist for RV storage, you aren’t alone. There are a lot of options when it comes to keeping your RV safe. Here are a few ideas to help you decide where to store your RV.
Indoor, Climate-Controlled RV Storage
Indoor, climate-controlled RV storage is a premium option that will cost more upfront but can keep your RV safe and out of the weather. A climate-controlled environment will keep humidity and temperature in check, helping you reduce the chances of mold growth.
Believe it or not there are even a few underground storage locations that utilize old mines to safely store your RV. These locations offer perfect climate control and low humidity environments.
RV Garage Storage
RV garage storage may not provide climate control, but it’s the next best thing. Storing your RV in a garage not only keeps it out of the rain, wind, and snow but also keeps it safely tucked away behind locked doors. Even though the garage itself may not be climate controlled, you may be able to plug your RV into shore power if needed.
Covered RV Storage
Many RV owners choose to go with simple covered RV storage. While this won’t keep all of the weather elements off of your RV, it does keep the rain and snow to a minimum. Covered RV storage will also reduce the amount of time the RV spends in direct sunlight, keeping the decals, window seals and paint on your rig free of premature fading and peeling.
Driveway RV Storage
If you have the space in your driveway or elsewhere on your property, you might feel most comfortable utilizing this option. Your rig will be within eyesight, so you can be confident all is well. Additionally, packing up for a trip is a breeze because you’ll have easy access to your rig. As a bonus, you won’t pay any storage fees.
RV Storage Lots
RV storage lots are a very economical choice for those who can’t store their RV at their residence. While your RV won’t be within your view, RV storage lots generally have a locked gate that only lot renters can access. Most RV storage lots have 24-hour access, meaning while your RV is safely stored, you can still access it whenever you need it. Some RV storage lots even have a hired security team member.
Can You Store Your RV at Home?
If you have enough space at home to store your RV, it may seem like the obvious choice. Before you create a cozy space for your RV, verify that you’re allowed to do so. If you live in an HOA community, bylaws may prevent you from storing your RV within the community, even on your own property.
➡ Have you heard of an RV port home? These houses are designed with an RV port or large garage to accommodate campers of all sizes, including Class As. Have a look: RV Port Home: The Perfect House for RVers
Are RV Storage Lots Safe?
You’ve likely read horror stories about RVs stolen from RV storage lots, and, admittedly, it makes our stomachs drop too. While it does happen occasionally, you can do things to reduce the risk of theft and damage.
Choose your RV storage lot wisely. Is the storage facility in a safe neighborhood? Do they have a locked gate and security cameras? Additionally, you should place a hitch lock or king pin lock on your RV trailer to avoid being an easy target. Don’t forget to keep your RV door locked as well. We recommend using a high-security door lock for this purpose.
How Much Does RV Storage Cost?
RV storage costs vary greatly. Depending on your location, you could pay anything from under $60 for a basic parking space to several hundred dollars for a climate-controlled storage solution. This number will fluctuate dramatically based on your location and what amenities you need for your RV while it’s in storage.
Pro Tip: When calculating the cost of owning and maintaining an RV, be sure to factor in winter storage.
More RV Articles You’ll Find Helpful:
- The Ugly Truth About Rent-To-Own RV Programs
- RV Nightmare: How to Unclog an RV Toilet or Tank
- Why Does My RV Battery Keep Dying?
How to Store Your RV
Now that you’ve decided where to store your RV, you still have a few RV storage decisions to make. Let’s look at some tricks to help keep your RV in top condition year after year.
Get a Cover for Outdoor RV Storage
While RV covers are a debated subject, many find that keeping their RV covered if they don’t have covered storage is a good thing. An RV cover can protect your home on wheels from exposure to rain, snow, and the sun. Be sure to choose a properly fitted cover to avoid damage from the cover rubbing.
Cover Your Tires
Tires aren’t exempt from wear and tear just because they aren’t traveling down the road. The sun can cause dry rot and weaken your tires. It’s wise to place tire covers on each tire while the RV is stationary. This will help prolong the life of your tires and keep you safer on the road.
Clean and Empty Camper — Including Water System
Keeping clean plates and appliances in your RV can make packing up for your next trip much easier. Something you don’t want to keep in your RV while you’re away is food. That juicy apple that you forgot on the counter will now be a stinky and sticky mess the next time you load up for a trip.
Don’t forget to drain all fresh water and empty your tanks before placing the RV into storage. If you can flush your tanks, doing so before storing your RV can be beneficial in fighting odors.
Open All Cabinets
After you’ve parked your RV in your storage space, your job isn’t over. Head into your RV to open up your cabinets to allow proper airflow. Keeping your cabinets closed might be an invitation for condensation and mold to form. Opening your cabinets will also help you remember to grab anything that you might have forgotten.
Place Desiccants Around RV Interior
Speaking of keeping condensation and moisture at bay, consider using desiccants. Placing a few packets of desiccants throughout your RV in areas prone to moisture build-up is a good idea. Instead of a musty interior, you’ll have a fresh-smelling RV.
- Food Grade:Meets Specifications for Dry Food Packaging,Silica Gel...
- Higher Absorption Capacity:Silica Gel Packets Desiccant can...
- Advantages:Silica Gel desiccant Packs is a High-Activity...
Pro Tip: DampRid is another popular product RVers use to absorb moisture while their camper is in storage.
Deter Pests by Removing All Food Scraps, Crumbs, Etc.
Don’t leave even the smallest crumbs behind as you clean out the RV for storage; critters will find them. Even dry, nonperishable foods can cause issues. Rodents and bugs will love you for leaving them a treat, but you won’t be a happy camper when you find that they’ve made themselves at home in your RV.
Even if you remove all food rodents still like to move into RVs so we recommend getting a multi kill electronic mouse trap. These units can trap multiple mice and can save you from a ton of damage.
➡ Even when you’re traveling in your RV, pests can still be a problem. We recommend investing in an RV vacuum to clean up messes that could attract ants or roaches. Check out The Best RV Vacuum Options for Keeping Your RV Clean
Winterize RV if Necessary
If you live in a climate where temperatures fall below freezing, you need to winterize your RV. Most commonly, RV owners will buy potable RV-specific antifreeze to winterize their units. As an alternative, you can blow out your lines with an air compressor, eliminating any liquids from your water lines.
Failure to winterize an RV that will sit in freezing conditions will likely lead to cracked water lines. Don’t forget to drain your water heater as part of your winterizing process.
Which RV Storage Option Is Best for You?
While it’s always sad to put your RV in storage, knowing you’ve tucked it away in a place you feel comfortable helps, at least a little. Thankfully, there are various storage options available in most areas, so you can feel confident that your home on wheels will be safe.
How do you store your RV? Let us know in the comments.
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Mats Wolff
Friday 12th of November 2021
I like how you mentioned indoor, climate controlled rv storage is a viable option for my rv. I've been wanting to get my rv stored in a climte controlled storage facility. I'll need to find a facility that offers indoor climate controlled rv storage to see if it this would be a good option for me.