Storing the RV for the summer

[edbennett002]

Being from Alaska we intend on snow-birding in the lower-48 between September/October thru the end of April. Rather than driving the ALCAN twice a season, we're looking at storing our RV somewhere and flying back. We intend on using our other camper here during the summer months for our short outings. Are there any recommendations as to secure facilities to store an RV for several months at a time? Are there regular storage businesses that cater to these sorts of things?

Thanx.
Ed.

[pawatt]

BarbaraOK wrote:

pawatt wrote:

BarbaraOK wrote:
Park Model, small one-bedroom house built on a frame for towing, just under 400 sq feet so it qualifies as an RV, can be found all over the southwest. Usually set up in RV parks, often with an extra room built on the side, with a large carport/patio area for outside enjoyment. We have one in Mesa, AZ, we pull in with the RV each October, move our stuff from the motorhome to the park model (we do leave all 'winter' things in the Park Model) and then put the motorhome to sleep in a nearby storage facility for the winter. Come April, we reverse and hit the road for the summer. Best of both worlds as far as we are concerned.

Thank You, a very good description. Also note a good used park model will usually cost much less than a similar sized RV.

You can buy a nice one (October is a great time to look as well as March) for $25K or less, often FULLY furnished, right down to all of the linens, table and cookware, etc. We got ours for less than $15K 5 years ago.

And many choices starting under $10,000 in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas, or if you prefer to own your own deeded lot with it starting about $30,000.

[BarbaraOK]

pawatt wrote:

BarbaraOK wrote:
Park Model, small one-bedroom house built on a frame for towing, just under 400 sq feet so it qualifies as an RV, can be found all over the southwest. Usually set up in RV parks, often with an extra room built on the side, with a large carport/patio area for outside enjoyment. We have one in Mesa, AZ, we pull in with the RV each October, move our stuff from the motorhome to the park model (we do leave all 'winter' things in the Park Model) and then put the motorhome to sleep in a nearby storage facility for the winter. Come April, we reverse and hit the road for the summer. Best of both worlds as far as we are concerned.

Thank You, a very good description. Also note a good used park model will usually cost much less than a similar sized RV.

You can buy a nice one (October is a great time to look as well as March) for $25K or less, often FULLY furnished, right down to all of the linens, table and cookware, etc. We got ours for less than $15K 5 years ago.

[pawatt]

BarbaraOK wrote:
Park Model, small one-bedroom house built on a frame for towing, just under 400 sq feet so it qualifies as an RV, can be found all over the southwest. Usually set up in RV parks, often with an extra room built on the side, with a large carport/patio area for outside enjoyment. We have one in Mesa, AZ, we pull in with the RV each October, move our stuff from the motorhome to the park model (we do leave all 'winter' things in the Park Model) and then put the motorhome to sleep in a nearby storage facility for the winter. Come April, we reverse and hit the road for the summer. Best of both worlds as far as we are concerned.

Thank You, a very good description. Also note a good used park model will usually cost much less than a similar sized RV.

[BarbaraOK]

Park Model, small one-bedroom house built on a frame for towing, just under 400 sq feet so it qualifies as an RV, can be found all over the southwest. Usually set up in RV parks, often with an extra room built on the side, with a large carport/patio area for outside enjoyment. We have one in Mesa, AZ, we pull in with the RV each October, move our stuff from the motorhome to the park model (we do leave all 'winter' things in the Park Model) and then put the motorhome to sleep in a nearby storage facility for the winter. Come April, we reverse and hit the road for the summer. Best of both worlds as far as we are concerned.

[edbennett002]

pawatt, "...used park model.."? not familiar with with. could you explain?

Thanx.

Deb and Ed M, good idea - leaving the rv in a location that has direct flights to/from Ak. Makes sense.
Thanx.

Ed.

[pawatt]

If you find a place where you would like to spend multiple winters consider buying a used park model,

[Deb_and_Ed_M]

Depending on where you want to spend the winter - it might be worth it to figure out where direct flights from Alaska end up; and as a generalization, if it's somewhere in the Midwest, you might find the lower prices and availability of space make it worthwhile to finish driving to your destination from that point? Plus if you can pinpoint a location, members of RV.net can give you more specific advice?

[edbennett002]

These are all good suggestions. Thanx for the tip on the heat issue; we'll definitely keep that in mind. A couple of other factors are the cost of transportation from the storage facility to the airport, the airfare and the the reverse of that. And, covered vs uncovered. Excellent. Great advise. Thanx.
Ed.

[BB_TX]

Agree that there are a lot of RV storage facilities in the south. And they appear to stay mostly full. Although many are stored in the open, we keep ours stored in a covered but not enclosed facility. Hot sun and temps over 100 are common.

[azdryheat]

Yes, down here in the lower 48 we have RV storage facilities. Do a Google search for the area you'd like store your rv. Don't store in a place that reaches triple digits in the summer without it being under cover as it will cook the interior.

[Bird_Freak]

A general area you would like to be in would be helpful.

[downtheroad]

Lots of outfits most everywhere you want to be. Google, "RV Storage" and a location.

...And then it all depends upon how much you want to pay. (how many amenities, how much security, indoor, outdoor, etc.)

[K_Charles]

Many camp grounds have storage

[Lwiddis]

Storage in Los Angeles is expensive and scarce but you can find it. and “security” is lackadaisical at best.