As people look for outdoor activities, recreational vehicles (RV) and boat sales have skyrocketed during the COVID-19 pandemic. But finding a safe and suitable storage space for these items can be a headache.
You may be considering paying for RV and boat storage off your property, but are wondering if it is worth the money. There are many advantages to private storage, including saving money down the road. Here are several to consider.
Common Issues With Home RV and Boat Storage
When assessing the many plusses of storing your RV or boat with a private company, it can be helpful to think about the problems it avoids. Home storage may offer some conveniences, but these often are offset by other challenges.
Exposure
If you do not have an enclosed storage area for your boat or RV, that means it is probably sitting in your driveway exposed to weather and the outdoors. This is fine for shorter periods, but over time the elements can take their toll.
If you have ever had a vehicle that was left out to the elements for an extended period of time, you know what it does to the paint job. But, unlike cars that you replace at least every 10 or so years, most people plan to have their RVs and boats for decades. They are big investments, and you want them to last.
Belongings left outdoors are susceptible to falling branches or other objects. Wind, rain, and snow can wreak havoc on the exterior, but the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays is a more significant threat.
This is an issue often overlooked during winter months, when you are least likely to be using your boat or RV. But UV rays are no less dangerous during this time of year.
Sure, using protective covers or waxing your RVcan help protect it. But these measures are subpar compared to secured, indoor storage.
Damage Beyond the Surface
Weather could threaten the structural integrity of your RV or boat as well. Units stored outdoors are susceptible to mold and mildew, both inside and out. Also, animals like birds and squirrels can cause serious damage, like destroying wiring or other components.
Left outdoors, your boat or RV could be susceptible to insects that are seeking out small crevices to make their home. Common problematic pests include ants, flies, roaches, and termites.
RVs or boats left sitting for long periods of time, during the off-season or because you have not had time to use them, get overlooked. Unlike your home that you set foot in every day, infestations can go undetected and cause a lot of damage right under your nose. Climate-controlled storage facilities can help mitigate these risks.
Security
You might assume that storing your RV or boat at your home is safer than a storage unit. But this is not the case. The number-one priority of storage companies is to keep your belongings safe.
In addition to having security systems, companies maintain personnel to watch who is coming and going at the facility. Besides theft, you do not have to worry about threats of vandalism or other criminal activities to your boat or RV.
Advantages of RV and Boat Storage
The main advantage gained by avoiding the threats described above is lengthening the life and retaining the quality of your RV or boat. Having invested tens of thousands of dollars, or more, you will want to make sure they stay in the best shape possible for the duration of its existence. But there are other advantages to RV or boat storage as well.
Freeing Up Space
Simply increasing the capacity of your driveway, carport, or shed is another huge advantage of using off-site storage. And some homeowner associations do not allow you to have an RV or boat visibly parked at all.
Even if you do have a shed or other covered enclosure for your RV or boat, you can use this space for alternative equipment or storage needs. You could replace them with bikes, lawnmowers, or even cars that would otherwise be crammed into another space or left out in the weather.
Saving Your Cement and Your Brakes
Also, you may not have a flat area on your property on which to store RVs or boats. Parking them on steep slopes can be unstable and even dangerous to buildings and people alike.
And ensuring their stability on such surfaces can put continued, unnecessary strain on their brake systems. You do not want your 30,000 pound RV resting on a steep incline for months on end. Similarly, you can save wear and tear on your driveway or carport, which are not designed to sustain such weight.
Range of Options
If you are like a lot of frugal people who understand the advantages of cutting corners, you may still be wondering if the cost-savings described above offset the cost of storage. The good news is that there are often a range of price points for RV and boat storage to choose from. And you may be surprised at how affordable it is in general.
Many companies that have enclosed storage also offer outdoor lots as a more economic alternative. If you are not as concerned with your RV or boat being outdoors, you can still have the convenience of not having them sitting in your driveway, or worrying about something happening to them when you are not home.
And many storage facilities offer different plans, since the duration of storage varies from person to person. Many companies will even prorate months where you will only be using a portion of it. So, do not let the idea of an “all-or-nothing” annual or even monthly commitment stop you from a pricing standpoint.
Get a Storage Quote Today
Now that you have an idea of some of the advantages of RV and boat storage, and some of the home-storage pitfalls you can avoid, you can begin to consider if it is right for you.
At Ideal Storage, we provide state-of-the-art indoor storage for your RV, boat, or other personal items. We offer covered and uncovered options, with a guarantee of security for any storage unit or lot you rent.
You can view our pricing and availability online, but feel free to contact us for a free quote and consultation. Our team will listen to your needs and present storage solutions that will fit your budget.