Bungy
Senior Member
From what I’m hearing I feel pretty fortunate with my 65 CAD/mo outdoor spot!
We used a storage facility in Atlanta after storing our TT for several years in a barn here in Vermont.
I would echo a couple of points, specifically the clear space markings (we found our neighbor way over the line and so close to our unit that we couldn't open our garage doors).
You might also consider some covered sites. Figure how much they would cost to build and price accordingly. There's always someone who'll pay top-dollar for the top site.
I would echo a couple of points, specifically the clear space markings (we found our neighbor way over the line and so close to our unit that we couldn't open our garage doors).
You might also consider some covered sites. Figure how much they would cost to build and price accordingly. There's always someone who'll pay top-dollar for the top site.
We booked a storage site before we actually had our rig. Getting something close to home, with a price we didn't cringe at was important. Our facility has a dump station, free water, ice, and air pressure. As well as a wash bay (which we can also use for our "regular" car, if we want). Office open 7 days a week (daytime) and Card access available 24/7. And our rates only increase 3% every year.
Covered was a very strong want for me. Some of the new U-Haul facilities have nice, covered RV storage. 2 years ago I used one for a while at $175 a month. I now use local covered storage for $125 a month. Electric power, a wash area, and a dump station are a low priority for me. My main concern is keeping it out of the sun, snow, and rain when not used.
If I was at a stage of life looking for an investment, I'd invest in covered storage. I know it's different for various parts of the country, but where we live anything covered is very hard to find.
If I was at a stage of life looking for an investment, I'd invest in covered storage. I know it's different for various parts of the country, but where we live anything covered is very hard to find.
I was chatting with the manager of a storage place a few years ago and he told me they started off with 24hr access. Thought it was a good selling point until he realized many people were living in their RVs at the storage facility. He then changed the hours to something like 8am-10pm. Something to consider.
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TerryH
Senior Member
Doing a few covered spots are under consideration. Steel prices are crazy right now so even the most basic of covers are pretty expensive. At this point we are leaning towards just keeping it simple to start. These interest rates are also making us lean more towards borrowing as little as necessary.
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TerryH
Senior Member
Good point. Thanks for the post.
I keep mine stored in an outside facility. The two things I would love to have are a dump station, and 120v power. The dump station to drop the residue and soapy water from my black tank, and the 120 volt power to run a dehumidifier and trickle charge my battery.
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TerryH
Senior Member
Thanks for the post.
It's great that you're actually asking for feedback!
We have never had the luxury of keeping our trailer at home. Our first storage was a true RV Storage - paved facility, half covered half not, TONS of room, etc. Current storage is a big gravel lot with no accommodations really. Here's my two cents' worth after having a really nice place and now very basic:
- If you're able, a dump station is a HUGE perk. Our last place had one, current does not. It was so nice being able to clean the tanks at a well kept spot, with usually little or no line. Seemed the renters generally took better care of the facility than the public dump stations we now have nearby.
- Our old was paved, current is not. It's generally not an issue or really makes that much of a difference. The exception, though, is one time I parked our trailer after an especially soggy few days while we were gone. I dug in some decent ruts that have been there ever since. If you're going to have gravel, be prepared to grade it from time to time.
- Clearly marked, and reflective is huge. I am often parking the trailer in the dark and by myself after weekend trips. Being able to clearly see my lines for backing is great.
- On that note, 24 hour access is also great. Again, I'm often taking and parking ours at weird hours after work, late nights after trips, etc. Being limited on access was a deal breaker for me with my schedule.
- Onsite porta potty, but sounds like you've got that covered.
- I like the idea of an area for kids to hang out, but also a word of caution. We are all focused on our own rigs when parking and don't think to look for little ones potentially running around. I'd be nervous letting mine stay essentially unattended, but that could just be me. Both facilities I've been at have been clearly marked that unattended kiddos are not allowed. Food for thought.
- Not everyone wants covered. You can certainly charge a premium for it, but I for example am looking for value at this point. I'm a weekend warrior (for the most part), with a nice but basic trailer. I'm not paying top dollar to keep it stored - hence the $95/mo gravel lot I'm in now
- Having potable water is also a great perk if you can. Sometimes on the way out, the truck is loaded and we're ready, but can't fill the water tank so have to make another stop.
Best of luck on the new endeavor! I've given serious thought to the same when we moved to Central Oregon and were told most of the storage spots had crazy waitlists. There is a lot of demand around here for sure!
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I know you said that you were not gong to have electricity in the individual bays, however having at least a 30A hookup would be a very attractive attribute. This would allow leaving the fridge running and even some heating if necessary. This would be especially attractive for people who are in and out regularly. You could have individual meters and let the renters pay for what they use. I have a full hook-up at my residence and just run my Imagine (four season trailer) furnace when it is freezing outside, and have no trouble. This is nice because I use the trailer in the winter (Texas) and it is always ready to go.
The storage facility we use in the Dallas-Fort Worth area is all covered spaces. Pull throughs are angled, back in are 90 degrees. All spaces have painted lines on the gravel to "separate" spaces. It's under 5 miles from the house so easy to go check on the rig. 24 hour access but have to use the keypad (no big deal). We do not have a dump station, water or porta-potty (would love to have a portable-potty) but we do have 30A electricity 24/7 - great for a heater in the basement during the winter (so we do not winterize our rig) and keeping the battery charged. Price was $200/month for the first two years we've been there, went up to $240/mon this most recent year.
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TerryH
Senior Member
It's great that you're actually asking for feedback!
We have never had the luxury of keeping our trailer at home. Our first storage was a true RV Storage - paved facility, half covered half not, TONS of room, etc. Current storage is a big gravel lot with no accommodations really. Here's my two cents' worth after having a really nice place and now very basic:
- If you're able, a dump station is a HUGE perk. Our last place had one, current does not. It was so nice being able to clean the tanks at a well kept spot, with usually little or no line. Seemed the renters generally took better care of the facility than the public dump stations we now have nearby.
- Our old was paved, current is not. It's generally not an issue or really makes that much of a difference. The exception, though, is one time I parked our trailer after an especially soggy few days while we were gone. I dug in some decent ruts that have been there ever since. If you're going to have gravel, be prepared to grade it from time to time.
- Clearly marked, and reflective is huge. I am often parking the trailer in the dark and by myself after weekend trips. Being able to clearly see my lines for backing is great.
- On that note, 24 hour access is also great. Again, I'm often taking and parking ours at weird hours after work, late nights after trips, etc. Being limited on access was a deal breaker for me with my schedule.
- Onsite porta potty, but sounds like you've got that covered.
- I like the idea of an area for kids to hang out, but also a word of caution. We are all focused on our own rigs when parking and don't think to look for little ones potentially running around. I'd be nervous letting mine stay essentially unattended, but that could just be me. Both facilities I've been at have been clearly marked that unattended kiddos are not allowed. Food for thought.
- Not everyone wants covered. You can certainly charge a premium for it, but I for example am looking for value at this point. I'm a weekend warrior (for the most part), with a nice but basic trailer. I'm not paying top dollar to keep it stored - hence the $95/mo gravel lot I'm in now
- Having potable water is also a great perk if you can. Sometimes on the way out, the truck is loaded and we're ready, but can't fill the water tank so have to make another stop.
Best of luck on the new endeavor! I've given serious thought to the same when we moved to Central Oregon and were told most of the storage spots had crazy waitlists. There is a lot of demand around here for sure!
There is no water on the site. It would require digging a well and we have no plans to do that at least for now. That obviously rules out the dump station as well. The pitfalls of rural Arkansas.
We are on gravel but have already purchased a tractor with front end loader, blade and land plane to ensure that we can groom as necessary.
Still researching on exactly how we are going to divide and mark the spots but doing something reflective is a great idea.
Still deciding on hours of availability. I see value in the 24 hour schedule but there is also merit in reducing those hours and reduced hours simplifies security to an extent.
The picnic/rest area will be fenced. We'll review the whole unattended kid thing further. You make a good point.
Thanks for the encouraging words. We believe it will be a worthwhile endeavor for us and provide a nice and secure spot for folks to store their rigs.
- Joined
- Apr 23, 2014
- Posts
- 14
One of the important things about our storage facility is the manager's willingness to check on our truck before we arrive to see if it held a charge. He attempted to jump it the last time it didn't start, but the problem was dead batteries. Very helpful to have on site assistance. Our 5th wheel and truck are in NV and we life in AK.
Most important thing by far: effective rodent control.
Scott'n'Wendy
Senior Member
Amazed at the prices some of you have to pay. Here in western Ontario you can get outdoor storage for $40 a month. No amenities, just a field, but...what do you really NEED to store a trailer? A friend of mine stores his motorhome in a covered facility for $300 for the winter..Nov-April.
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TerryH
Senior Member
Well, it's been quite an adventure trying to get this going. Engineering turned out to be a mess of "engineers" that had no clue what the rules were. Had to go to a second engineering firm to get the correct information and proper permitting information. Dealing with the county also a nightmare. You'd think we were building a nuclear power plant. lol... The good news is construction is finally underway.
redfernclan
Senior Member
Something to consider with your cover, how are you going to protect your posts? Coming from a manufacturing and maintenance background, if it can be hit, it will be hit. Just a matter of time. A bump and a rub are one thing, but when you have to change out an entire post, a little forethought would have been great.
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TerryH
Senior Member
It's all open storage.
jjbbrewer
Resistance is futile
Congratulations! I wish you well with your business. Please post up more updates as construction progresses as I, for one, am very interested.
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