Questions my wife and I have. We are looking into opening a boat & RV storage in Kentucky. Never mind the location but my questions are these.1. If indoor or covered storage was available would you use?2. If so, what price would you expect to pay?3. If metered electric was available would you use?4. If a wash station was available for your use would you use? Of course there would be a cost to use. Fair cost?5. Dump Station at facility. $5.00 per dump. Would you use?Please don't be sarcastic in your answers. We are just looking to see if it is feasible to open. Please explain your answers too.

We pay $150 mo. for covered storage, free dump, free wash rack. If electric were available for decent price I would use it with a trickle battery charger to keep batteries up. We have free ice onsite along with propane for $3 gal. We had the option of indoor storage at 2 other locations but decided against them because we could not access the RV 24/7 like we can now. However, we are in Southern California where the weather is not a factor as it might be in Kentucky. Hope this helps!

twmw1126 wrote:Questions my wife and I have. We are looking into opening a boat & RV storage in Kentucky. Never mind the location but my questions are these.1. If indoor or covered storage was available would you use?2. If so, what price would you expect to pay?3. If metered electric was available would you use?4. If a wash station was available for your use would you use? Of course there would be a cost to use. Fair cost?5. Dump Station at facility. $5.00 per dump. Would you use?Please don't be sarcastic in your answers. We are just looking to see if it is feasible to open. Please explain your answers too.1 & 2) yes if no more than $100 p/m3) Yes4) Yes. fair cost? $10-$15 if you're supplying soap, brushes, etc. $5 if all you're supplying is water.5) $5 per dump for non-customers would be appropriate but customers with a space should not have to pay an additional fee. put the dump station outside the fence where all RV'ers have access.good luck.

twmw1126 wrote:1. If indoor or covered storage was available would you use?Yes..we use indoor storage2. If so, what price would you expect to pay?We pay once yearly and get a 20% discount for this yearly contract.3. If metered electric was available would you use?Monthly extra charge for elect. is available but we don't use it.4. If a wash station was available for your use would you use? Of course there would be a cost to use. Fair cost?Not available at our current storage facility. If it were I might use it.5. Dump Station at facility. $5.00 per dump. Would you use?YesOur facility is VERY secure and the owner or attendent lives on site.Security is very important to us.

twmw1126 wrote:Questions my wife and I have. We are looking into opening a boat & RV storage in Kentucky. Never mind the location but my questions are these.1. If indoor or covered storage was available would you use? We currently use covered storage and like it. Indoor storage is available at more than double the rate but we couldn't get inside our rig and that's a deal breaker for us.2. If so, what price would you expect to pay? Our rate is $130. per month but if we pay a year in advance we get the 13th month free, so that's what we do.3. If metered electric was available would you use?Yes -- as long as it was 50amps and the charges were not overly inflated.4. If a wash station was available for your use would you use? Of course there would be a cost to use. Absolutely -- provided it was easily accessed. Fair cost? Not sure but if you set it up like a car wash with a base price and then let the customer add $ as needed for more time it might work well.5. Dump Station at facility. $5.00 per dump. Would you use? Maybe. We currently make sure we take care of that chore before arriving back at the storage facility but if it was available we might use it. I would hope you'd make sure it was carefully maintained and kept clean.Please don't be sarcastic in your answers. We are just looking to see if it is feasible to open. Please explain your answers too.

One major issue -- don't forget security. Unless one has real security, a RV place will get broken into all the time. Cameras are useless -- they might get a picture of a blob, or if in HD, a vague outline of a guy with a balaclava on.Electric is nice -- a 15-20A plug combined with two Battery Minders (one for the engine batteries, one for the house batteries) will keep the batteries usable, even in extremely cold weather. Metering is wise.Rates should be set similar to other places. Here in Austin, $100/month will get you a spot. That's it. Other places, $100 might be way too high.A wash station is a nice thing -- I would use it. However, they can be expensive since in some areas (like Austin), the runoff can't drain into the sewer or storm drain, so has to be pumped out.Similar with a dump station -- would be nice to have 2-3, because just one will always be in use by someone who will spend hours rinsing their tanks out.Indoor storage would be very nice, especially heated/cooled (doesn't have to be perfect, just above freezing in winter, below 85-90 in summer.)The main thing that I am concerned about when it comes to RV storage is security. I'm less worried about stuff disappearing than the damage a tweaker does. A TV is not too expensive. Trying to rebuild an inside wall after the unit was yanked off its mountings can cost thousands, most of that not covered by insurance. The best security I've seen was not just dogs running around, but two security patrols. A guy with the truck, and a guy on a bike, both armed with lethal and non-lethal items. The meth-heads see the guard in the truck and hide, but bicycles are stealthy, and much harder to listen for.

Storage | Good Sam Community

slarsen
Explorer
Jul 19, 2013
I live in Newburgh, just outside Evansville. I'm guessing you are talking about the LBL. Rates here are about $60-$70 uncovered. I was offered a covered spot in a somewhat classy place close to the East Side Walmart, but I wouldn't pay $105. If it had been $95, I would have.

A wash station would be a big attraction for me. I'd pay $10.

I tend to agree that a dump station should be 'free' for people paying storage. I doubt that I would pay to use it.

If you got a reputation for break-ins, I'd be out of there.
rolling_rhoda
Explorer
Jul 19, 2013
We rent a shop for other purposes. Two overhead garage doors (not pull thru), 30 amps, water, a bathroom with shower, septic tank, storage loft, locking tool crib, concrete floor with in floor heat. The MH takes up not quite a third of the floor, leaving the rest of the shop for other things. The shop is one of a handful under one roof. Not all have bathrooms or poured floors or heat. Some smaller ones are just garages with insulated walls. The other shops are either used for toy storage or are leased by businesses to store inventory or transport equipment. There are three MHs and three boats under the roof. Very low crime area, and there are several buildings like this in town.

Edited to add: covered storage isn't available here. You either rent a garage or park it outside at home or in a lot (few are even fenced).
hogcard
Explorer
Jul 17, 2013
I pay $65 in Arkansas for just a covered shed. No electric, wash or dump. Does everything I need.
CentralCoastCam
Explorer
Jul 16, 2013
I pay 150 a month for a pull through covered storage. They allow you to hook up the 20A electrical with no charge ( I don't though). They have a wash station and dump station available for use by all clients with no charge. Coded gate access with the manager living on site.

This facility was the only one I could locate in this area with covered storage, so supply and demand effect the cost. I used to store it at an outside unsecured area at a local rv park for about 1/3 of the cost. After an attemp break-in, I moved it to the secure location.
noe-place
Explorer
Jul 16, 2013
twmw1126 wrote:
Questions my wife and I have. We are looking into opening a boat & RV storage in Kentucky. Never mind the location but my questions are these.

1. If indoor or covered storage was available would you use?

2. If so, what price would you expect to pay?

3. If metered electric was available would you use?

4. If a wash station was available for your use would you use? Of course there would be a cost to use. Fair cost?

5. Dump Station at facility. $5.00 per dump. Would you use?

Please don't be sarcastic in your answers. We are just looking to see if it is feasible to open. Please explain your answers too.

I rented a garage for years inside a secure fence with a code to gain entry. The garage was plenty big enough for our MH and also had a padlock to which I had the only key. I paid $960. a year.
Only electric available was a 60 min. timer and NO outlets. I could have used them more than once.
I would not have used a wash station at this location because the lot was all gravel. Dump station was available at NO cost but I never used it.

Good luck with your plans. I hope it works out for you.
2012Coleman
Explorer II
Jul 15, 2013
twmw1126 wrote:
Questions my wife and I have. We are looking into opening a boat & RV storage in Kentucky. Never mind the location but my questions are these.

1. If indoor or covered storage was available would you use?
Yes!

2. If so, what price would you expect to pay?
I currently pay 137.00/month for outside storage, so I'd pay 150.00 like someone else stated.

3. If metered electric was available would you use?
Nice option - but no. Not sure why someone would want electric while in storage unless using it for repairs/maint

4. If a wash station was available for your use would you use? Of course there would be a cost to use. Fair cost?
Again, nice option to have, but I do this at home in a nice shaded area.

5. Dump Station at facility. $5.00 per dump. Would you use?
Agree with the other poster - free for your customers - charge for everyone else. And maybe have more than one.

Please don't be sarcastic in your answers. We are just looking to see if it is feasible to open. Please explain your answers too.
nickthehunter
Nomad II
Jul 15, 2013
twmw1126 wrote:
Questions my wife and I have. We are looking into opening a boat & RV storage in Kentucky. Never mind the location but my questions are these.

1. If indoor or covered storage was available would you use?

2. If so, what price would you expect to pay?

3. If metered electric was available would you use?

4. If a wash station was available for your use would you use? Of course there would be a cost to use. Fair cost?

5. Dump Station at facility. $5.00 per dump. Would you use?

Please don't be sarcastic in your answers. We are just looking to see if it is feasible to open. Please explain your answers too.
1) indoor - no, covered - maybe depending on cost (not very important to me, I've been using outdoor storage for 10 years without any adverse effects whatsoever.
2) about $5 per month
3) No
4) No
5) I have that available now at $4 at my storage place. While it presents a good alternative if the line at the campground was ever unreasonable long; and I like having it available as an alternative; but I have never used it in 10 years.
ddndoug
Explorer
Jul 15, 2013
twmw1126 wrote:
Questions my wife and I have. We are looking into opening a boat & RV storage in Kentucky. Never mind the location but my questions are these.

Location is important... You'll find people are willing to pay more for the convienence of having storage in someplace like Land Between The Lakes than Somewhere, KY.

1. If indoor or covered storage was available would you use?

Yes, we currently use indoor storage. The previous owners used covered storage and it really protects the finish.

2. If so, what price would you expect to pay?

Again, depends on the location and if security is available.... If covered, $60+... if indoor, $75+... If security on property add another $30-50 per month. The closer to major metropolitan areas or attractions like LBTL the fair market value of services will increase.

3. If metered electric was available would you use?

Myself, probably not. But I could see some people using it. Not sure your return on investment would the best use of your money, unless you just installed a few bays.

4. If a wash station was available for your use would you use? Of course there would be a cost to use. Fair cost?

Again, not me... I do mine at home, but could see some people paying to have an available space to do if if their subidvisions don't allow it. As far as price, I think some type of metered wash station similar to what you see in a self-serve car wash.

5. Dump Station at facility. $5.00 per dump. Would you use?

Probably not... we try to dump when we leave somewhere. If it were availabe I might use it, but more than likely probably not.

Please don't be sarcastic in your answers. We are just looking to see if it is feasible to open. Please explain your answers too.
mlts22
Explorer
Jul 15, 2013
One major issue -- don't forget security. Unless one has real security, a RV place will get broken into all the time. Cameras are useless -- they might get a picture of a blob, or if in HD, a vague outline of a guy with a balaclava on.

Electric is nice -- a 15-20A plug combined with two Battery Minders (one for the engine batteries, one for the house batteries) will keep the batteries usable, even in extremely cold weather. Metering is wise.

Rates should be set similar to other places. Here in Austin, $100/month will get you a spot. That's it. Other places, $100 might be way too high.

A wash station is a nice thing -- I would use it. However, they can be expensive since in some areas (like Austin), the runoff can't drain into the sewer or storm drain, so has to be pumped out.

Similar with a dump station -- would be nice to have 2-3, because just one will always be in use by someone who will spend hours rinsing their tanks out.

Indoor storage would be very nice, especially heated/cooled (doesn't have to be perfect, just above freezing in winter, below 85-90 in summer.)

The main thing that I am concerned about when it comes to RV storage is security. I'm less worried about stuff disappearing than the damage a tweaker does. A TV is not too expensive. Trying to rebuild an inside wall after the unit was yanked off its mountings can cost thousands, most of that not covered by insurance. The best security I've seen was not just dogs running around, but two security patrols. A guy with the truck, and a guy on a bike, both armed with lethal and non-lethal items. The meth-heads see the guard in the truck and hide, but bicycles are stealthy, and much harder to listen for.
PegLW
Explorer
Jul 15, 2013
twmw1126 wrote:
Questions my wife and I have. We are looking into opening a boat & RV storage in Kentucky. Never mind the location but my questions are these.

1. If indoor or covered storage was available would you use? We currently use covered storage and like it. Indoor storage is available at more than double the rate but we couldn't get inside our rig and that's a deal breaker for us.

2. If so, what price would you expect to pay? Our rate is $130. per month but if we pay a year in advance we get the 13th month free, so that's what we do.

3. If metered electric was available would you use?Yes -- as long as it was 50amps and the charges were not overly inflated.

4. If a wash station was available for your use would you use? Of course there would be a cost to use. Absolutely -- provided it was easily accessed. Fair cost? Not sure but if you set it up like a car wash with a base price and then let the customer add $ as needed for more time it might work well.

5. Dump Station at facility. $5.00 per dump. Would you use? Maybe. We currently make sure we take care of that chore before arriving back at the storage facility but if it was available we might use it. I would hope you'd make sure it was carefully maintained and kept clean.

Please don't be sarcastic in your answers. We are just looking to see if it is feasible to open. Please explain your answers too.

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