Driving your RV across the countryside allows you to visit far off family and travel to new or favorite destinations. Yet when the adventure ends, you need a place to park your vehicle. Depending on the size of the RV, there may be municipality or HOA restrictions that do not permit the RV to be parked on the street or in a driveway. When your RV parking situation is limited near your home, consider RV storage solutions.
Self storage facilities may offer vehicle storage that accommodates varied sizes of RVs. The type of storage solutions to select from will depend on the size of storage facility's lot and the services they offer to clients.
RV Classes Requiring Storage
RVs come in differing classes based on their size and how they are built on their chassis. Some RVs simply look like larger commercial-type vans while others are large vehicles on a commercial bus or truck chassis. RVs are typically categorized into two vehicle types, motorized and towable. The basic RV types are as follows:
- Class A: Large motorhomes on commercial-type chassis. They are the biggest class of RVs on the market and run on diesel or gas. They are fully loaded with amenities making them feel like a small home on wheels.
- Class B: These are the smallest motorhomes on the market. They are also called camper vans and conversion vans. They have very modest amenities such as a mini fridge, foldable beds, and no living space. Some of the vehicles may have self-contained toilets while others do not.
- Class C: These motorhomes are larger than Class B RVs but smaller than Class A vehicles. They are built on a truck or van cutaway chassis. They have more living space with sleeping quarters over the cab area. Some RVs have slide-outs to increase the space inside.
- Fifth-Wheel: A fifth-wheel is a towable trailer that has an extended front that goes over the cab of the vehicle that is towing it. These vehicles have kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms, and living rooms.
- Foldable Trailer: These RVs have foldable sides for storage and towing. They can be towed with an average size car or an SUV. A small foldable trailer may have a cooktop, beds, and a dining area while a larger vehicle may have a toilet or shower.
- Travel Trailer: Another towable RV, this trailer requires a special hitch on a truck, van, or SUV to move it. These RVs may have many of the same amenities as a motorized RV. Others have fewer amenities such as outdoor kitchens but no bathrooms.
Benefits of Self-Storage for RVs
RVs are designed to handle the rigors of the road and some off-road camping areas. They are used year-round as some RVs are manufactured to withstand extreme wintry weather.
However, storing an RV can become difficult. Since they are recreational vehicles, you may own a regular car (or second car) that is for daily use. When you are at home, RVs may sit on the property for several months before being put to use again.
Having a vehicle sit in the driveway for months on end can take up valuable space. You may also find it inconvenient if the RV is blocking the garage. You must constantly move it to get the regular car or truck in and out the driveway. If you don’t have a driveway, you may have to park it along the side of the street. This issue could be in violation of local traffic codes. Also, the RV may take up multiple parking spaces that you or your neighbors need.
Using a storage unit for your RV allows you to park it in a secure location without worrying about getting parking tickets or taking up valuable parking space near your home. Based on the storage facility, these storage units may have 24/7 monitoring and other safety solutions to keep your vehicle safe from thieves and vandals. You gain easy access to your vehicle while providing more driveway and street space for your regular vehicles.
Another advantage to using a storage unit is to avoid unwanted pests from chewing into your recreational vehicle. You may decide to park the RV on the grass of your property or dirt area. Unfortunately, this setup may invite pests such as mice and insects to invade the vehicle. Once the creatures nest inside, they can cause a large amount of damage to any wiring systems, furniture, flooring, and other possessions. This problem can lead to expensive and unnecessary costs.
With an RV parked at a storage facility, they take preventive measures to ensure pests do not get to your possessions. The facility may routinely inspect the premise for infestations and take immediate remediation measures.
Types of Storage Solutions for RVs
RV storage facilities may have differing services for your vehicles. You typically can select from covered vehicle parking or uncovered vehicle parking solutions. Picking an option will depend on your preferences, the size of your RV, and your available budget.
Covered Vehicle Parking
Covered parking options may vary. The self storage facility may have completely enclosed vehicle storage with individual spaces with walls and doors for vehicles. Your vehicle sits alone in its unit, so you never have to worry about anyone else hanging around your RV. You also know it is completely safe from accidental damage, as there are no other parked vehicles right beside it. These types of covered parking spaces are typically used for regular cars, trucks, or boats on trailers. Yet a smaller travel trailer or towed fifth wheel may fit into these storage spaces. The single covered space for an RV can provide protection from damage, vandals, thieves, and the weather.
Other covered storage options involve having an enclosed garage space that allows several RVs to be parked inside. Each parking space is marked with painted lines as there will be one covered roof and a single entrance or two entrances to pull into and out of the building. These storage arrangements allow the RV to be completely protected by the weather, yet other RV owners also have access to the same garage building. Large enclosed single garages may accommodate all sizes of RVs depending on the size of the overall building. These covered storage options completely protect your RV from harsh weather. Yet you need to be careful from accidental damage when other vehicle owners park their RVs next to yours.
A storage facility may also only have a covered roof with open sides. The covered lot is the simplest way to protect your RV. It may prevent rain and snow from coming down onto the recreational vehicle yet may allow rainy weather and wind gusts to enter from the sides. The RVs are parked much like a common outdoor garage area on a paved lot. The storage facility may accept all types of RVs, as they may have designated sections for motorized motorhomes and towed trailers.
Uncovered Vehicle Parking
Uncovered parking units are open parking lots. You have a space to place your RV next to other recreational vehicles. The lots are the least expensive storage solution for people looking for self-storage options. With the RV out in the open, it is susceptible to the weather. Yet the storage facility still offers the latest security and safety measures to keep the vehicle safe from thieves and vandals.
The size of the parking lot may dictate the size of the vehicles allowed to use the space. Large, uncovered parking areas may allow for many different RVs. Other parking spaces may only accommodate one type of RV. The storage facility may have a maximum vehicle count allowed for the parking space and once reaching the count will not allow any other vehicles to enter. This arrangement allows for the proper spacing between vehicles so that the RVs can be driven into and out of the parking spaces in a safe manner.
Selecting RV Parking Options
When trying to select the right storage units for RVs, you need to measure the dimensions of your vehicle. By having these measurements, you will be able to narrow down your storage choices based on the available facilities in your general area. Next, figure out whether you want covered or uncovered storage options. Both options have benefits and disadvantages. While covered units protect your vehicle from the weather, they are more expensive. Uncovered lots are budget friendly yet allow the weather on top of your vehicle.
You may opt for covered storage for older models of RVs that you want to protect them from the outdoor elements. It may also be ideal to select a covered unit if you plan to leave the RV in storage for several months to over a year. Uncovered storage options could suit you if you are only looking for temporary storage options. If you are constantly using your vehicle and only need short-term storage options, you can store it during the fair weather seasons when it is hot and dry outside.
Whether you get covered vehicle parking or uncovered vehicle parking options, consider RV self-storage facilities when you need a safe and secure place for your recreational vehicle.