RV Storage

[mighty7sd]

We're looking to buy our first TT and learning everything we can about the lifestyle. We've started researching storage options and they seem to be all over the map in terms of cost. I know that many folks here probably store their TTs on their property, but we don't have room, esspecially since we are looking at a large bunkhouse model that may need a 10'x40'spot.

There is a place nearby that has uncovered parking spots for ~$120/month. To me that seems high.

There are also covered but not enclosed, and fully enclosed. In the city these are expensive, out of the city they are somewhat cheap.

We also have cave storage nearby that is a bit of a drive for ~120/month, but the constant temp and the ability to not winterize seems appealing.

Would I be shooting myself in the foot by not doing some sort of covered parking? Does fully enclosed really beat covered only?

If anyone is in the Kansas City area suggestions would be welcome!

[jjohn1004]

We just found inside storage for $184 for the season - Nov 1 to May 1. One of the benefits of living in a rural area 🙂

[CopilotCompanio]

My 38' Class A lived in a tobacco barn until we left the farm. After moving, I stored it, uncovered, at a Mini-storage lot 2 miles from the house for $40/month.

[colliehauler]

mighty7sd wrote:
Sounds like most folks opt for uncovered due to price. So the constant sun/rain exposure doesn't seem to have a huge effect on wear and tear? The only other concern I thought of was mice, so paved or enclosed might help with that?

The sun/rain does have a huge effect on the longevity of a RV. Go to a RV storage yard and look at the graphics and paint on a unit that is stored outside vs covered, not to mention the tires dry rotting from sun exposure. And don't forget about hail damage sitting outside.

[Big1]

I paid $87.00 dollars but I'm waiting for a space to open up on the base near me which will cost $35.00 dollars.

[tatest]

It is about land values to start with, then about the cost of building and maintaining the facility.

I pay $66 a month for covered open storage in a formerly rural area that is starting to be more developed, within city limits of a declining small city (all the biggest employers moved to bigger cities). A spot in the open within 20 miles of Tulsa (or one of its suburbs) is going to cost $120-150. So $120 near KC doesn't sound all that bad.

I don't like the storage to be more than 3-5 miles away. As it is, I put on almost as much miles to-from storage as I do going house to campsite, which is about 15 miles for me.

In a severe storm area, I'll pay whatever is needed for covered storage. In this part of the country, enclosed and climate controlled is not such a big deal, my concern is the frequency of "golf ball size" or "baseball size" hail. Other locales have different problems (think 200 inches of snow).

Storage is just one of the costs of RV ownership, about on a par with insurance (for a motorized RV, at least) but a small fraction of value of money costs (depreciation, interest, loss of investment income). RV owners tend to ignore these bigger costs, which they don't easily see, and get hung up on the smaller costs for which they have to write checks monthly, quarterly, annually etc.

[_1nobby]

I just paid $660 for 6 months ($5 a ft per month) of INDOOR un-heated storage.

Barn with a concrete floor about 15 minutes away.

Best part is......I have access to it when required. He's going to park me at the door...last in...first out.

[DE88ROX]

danimal53 wrote:
yikes, $200+ per month? i guess I'm fortunate to have the space next to my garage! It's outdoors year round, but I'm okay with that. One thing, if you do go with outdoor, get some wheel covers (for the spare too, if it doesn't have one), avoid UV damage to your tires.

everything thats plastic or rubber gets a nice coat of Aerospace 303 before I put it away.

[DE88ROX]

spoon059 wrote:

DE88ROX wrote:
$200 a month for indoor storage.

Ouch... makes me happy that I dropped about $2400 for a Carolina Carport... That's about 1 year of covered storage, but I plan to have that carport for the next 11 years until I retire and move somewhere else.

Nice!! that thing will pay for itself. your'e golden!!

[danimal53]

yikes, $200+ per month? i guess I'm fortunate to have the space next to my garage! It's outdoors year round, but I'm okay with that. One thing, if you do go with outdoor, get some wheel covers (for the spare too, if it doesn't have one), avoid UV damage to your tires.

[Community Alumni]

You aren't selling your self short by choosing an outdoor spot. RVs are built to spend their entire life outdoors. Prices can wildly varying depending on geographical location, but you'll find that it's usually the cheapest option in the area. Naturally, being outdoors will subject the trailer to some weathering of its materials. However, there's a whole host of products out there to combat this, most of which would probably already be part of your maintenance routine anyway. There are people on here with trailers that have been stored outdoors for well over a decade and they're still looking new.

I wouldn't worry too much about weather damage. The off chance that something like that happens, that's what the insurance company is for. Paved or enclosed won't make any difference when it comes to mice. Enclosed units aren't usually sealed up 100 percent so mice can still find their way in.

What's more important is what's surrounding the storage lot. Mice don't like to travel very far from their shelter, like a max of around 30ft. Mice are definitely a concern with lots that are near wooded areas or overgrown fields.

[spoon059]

DE88ROX wrote:
$200 a month for indoor storage.

Ouch... makes me happy that I dropped about $2400 for a Carolina Carport... That's about 1 year of covered storage, but I plan to have that carport for the next 11 years until I retire and move somewhere else.

[LarryJM]

humblerb wrote:

JAC1982 wrote:

humblerb wrote:
We have always stored inside, only because the wife wanted the trailer to look good. We used to pay $175 for indoor with electricity and 24 hour access (Houston, TX).
That got too expensive, so we bought a $350,000 house that had a shop with storage. Am I right when I say $350,000 is less than $175? 🙂
Had a friend down the street who had a trailer and he parked outside and negotiated a price of $30 or $35, down from $50.

It's like how my husband wants to build a $60,000 outbuilding to put our camper that's worth $20,000 into it 🙂

I'm not sure I understand the problem here. 😉

X2:B:B

Larry

[DE88ROX]

I need to buy some land and put up a pole barn. rent space.

I pass a storage place everyday on my way to and from work. Every couple of years they add more buildings for storage. I got a quote from them once at the RV Show. $200 a month for indoor storage. Just cant see it. So I opt to store it at in-laws for free. Although, it kills me keeping it outside after having a pup for 17years that would fit inside the pole barn.

[humblerb]

JAC1982 wrote:

humblerb wrote:
We have always stored inside, only because the wife wanted the trailer to look good. We used to pay $175 for indoor with electricity and 24 hour access (Houston, TX).
That got too expensive, so we bought a $350,000 house that had a shop with storage. Am I right when I say $350,000 is less than $175? 🙂
Had a friend down the street who had a trailer and he parked outside and negotiated a price of $30 or $35, down from $50.

It's like how my husband wants to build a $60,000 outbuilding to put our camper that's worth $20,000 into it 🙂

I'm not sure I understand the problem here. 😉