After an unforgettable summer driving your recreational vehicle through Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon, Yosemite, or maybe all three if you’re really adventurous, winter creeps out from around the corner, reminding you it’s time to deal with RV storage. There are really only two RV storage options: banish it to the back corner of your driveway or store it in a storage facility.
If you’re a new RV owner planning to leave your RV in your driveway, be sure to do some research; it can be a pain to have to protect your RV from the elements. Here’s what you should know:
First, you’re going to need to buy a cover and no, it can’t just be a tarp. Tarps lock in moisture, leading to mold and mildew that eventually eat away at your vehicle’s exterior. Plastic covers also are not a good choice. Before looking into what material is right for your needs, you’ll also need to know the measurements of your vehicle.
If you have any attachments on the outside of your RV such as bumpers, storage racks, ladders, and mirrors, you’ll want to measure the length, width, and height of your vehicle by hand, making sure to include these measurements in the total. Then, you can move onto looking through the different types of fabric. On average, RV covers range from $300 to more than $1,000, but buying the actual cover is only one of your worries.
Once you’ve bought and managed to get the cover on your vehicle, you’ll have to monitor your RV, cleaning the roof off every time it snows. When snow accumulates and freezes, it becomes very heavy, which can damage the roof and lead to the possible collapse of your RV or travel trailer’s roof. Not to mention, you’ll need a cover because UV rays work to wear away the rubber on the exterior.
Besides the elements, when left alone outside, RVs can become home to unwanted visitors, human and animal. Squirrels, roaches, birds, and raccoons might tear into your leather seats or snuggle up in your bed. Like you, they just want a dry place to call home for the night. Storing your RV at a storage facility eliminates the possibility for animals to get in since each unit is locked and blocked off from the outside world.
If you’re concerned about animals or the effects of the elements, or maybe both, an RV storage facility may be the best option. RV storage facilities offer large, covered storage units, where your vehicle is protected from rain, sleet, snow, hail, and the sun. Some storage spaces are climate controlled, which will prevent your battery or plumbing system from freezing.
If you decide storing your RV in a facility is the right fit for you, all you have to do is thoroughly clean the inside, drain all the water, and make sure everything’s shut tight. Then drive to your local storage facility and park your RV in a large storage unit. Once you lock the unit, your vehicle is safe and secure and you won’t have to worry about your vehicle until your next vacation.
To sum up: indoor RV storage at a facility, though more expensive, is much less work than storing it in your driveway. Benefits include: protection from the elements, protection from unwanted visitors, climate controlled, covered RV storage, and it frees up a parking spot in your driveway.
If you’re looking for RV storage conveniently located near you, Hollow Tree Self Storage in Darien, CT, offers a wide array of amenities such as: gated-entry, video monitoring, motion-sensing lights, and alarmed units. Don’t hesitate to call 203.655.2018 for more information or visit Hollow Tree Self storage online at https://www.hollowtreestorage.com/.