How Much Does It Cost To Store An RV
The cost of owning an RV does not end in buying it. There are a lot more to RV ownership long after you have purchased it and used it for your trips. One costly thing about RV ownership is storage. It can turn out to be costly especially if you do not have enough space at home to park them or if local zoning laws limit RV parking areas. This article will introduce you to the cost of RV storage these days.
The Cost Of RV Storage
The typical cost of storing an RV ranges from $60 to $450 per month.
This price includes either an indoor or outdoor storage parking for the RV for a whole month. Some storage facilities can offer 24/7 access while others can limit access to specific hours in a day. The price also includes the security of the RV through on-site managers, security lights, video cameras, and alarm systems. Some facilities will include the use of amenities such as wash area, battery charging stations, sewer facilities, and the like.
Factors Affecting The Cost Of Storing An RV
Type of storage. There are typically two options of storage when speaking of parking your RVs. Outdoor parking is usually on the cheaper end as compared to indoor storage. Outdoor parking usually costs around $20 to $100 per month while indoor storage runs up to $450 per month.
Location. The kind of facility will often greatly affect RV storage costs. For instance, outdoor storage facilities that are paved are usually more expensive as compared to facilities that are gravel. When speaking of indoor storage, the price also varies depending on the temperature inside. For instance, unheated indoor storage costs around $45 to $125 per month while climate-controlled indoor storage units rent from $100 to $450 or more a month.
Security. The level of security in the facility can greatly affect RV storage costs. Facilities with fencing, video cameras, alarms, and other advanced security measures tend to be more expensive to rent per month. Some high-end indoor storage units have individual security systems that make the actual RV storage cost a lot more expensive than having basic security only.
Access. Facilities with 24/7 access are usually more expensive as compared to those offering limited access per day. This is true because the unlimited access service tends to be more costly in terms of operational and personnel costs.
Amenities. The more amenities the facility has, the more expensive their monthly charges are. Amenities that can add up to the cost of rental are RV wash area and sewage dump station for outdoor parking spaces. For indoor facilities, amenities that can increase the cost of the rental are valet parking and additional services for the RV such as dumping the sewage system after a trip, running the generator periodically, checking engine fluids, and charging batteries.
Size of RV. The bigger your RV is, the more space it requires for storage. This greatly affects the cost of storage because the bigger the space your RV requires, the more expensive monthly storage rental becomes.
Contract. A long-term commitment will usually be less expensive per month as compared to short term ones. This is true because most RV storage facilities will discount the monthly charges if you sign up for a long-term commitment with them.
Other options. Besides renting outdoor or indoor storage spaces for the RV, it is possible to store your RV in self-storage condominiums. They usually sell from $50,000 to $150,000 depending on the size, amenities being offered, and location. These condominiums are usually large units with oversized entry doors that can work well for maneuvering even large RVs.
Additional Costs
Some storage facilities will charge you extra fees for access cards or keys at the facility. This can cost anywhere from $5 to $50 extra but can be refundable at the end of the term.
You may need to buy additional insurance coverage to cover any limits of your current insurance policy while your RV is in storage.
If you are storing the RV in an outdoor parking space, you may need to purchase an RV cover to protect it from debris, dirt, and other outdoor elements. RV covers sell from $50 to $1,000 or more depending on quality and size.
If you have purchased a self-storage condominium for your RV, expect to pay condo maintenance fees of $50 to $100 annually.
Photo by SteelMaster Buildings
Tips Before You Store An RV
Check for different RV storage facilities so you can make a comparison in terms of prices, location, security, and amenities. Always make sure that you deal only with a facility that provides good security for your RV and enough access for your visiting convenience.
Get price quotes from different storage facilities. Compare not only based on pricing but as well as amenities and inclusions in the package.
Always prefer a storage facility that is near your residence. Most RV owners find it convenient to find a storage facility within 15 to 20 miles of their residence.
Before signing up for any deal, ask to visit the area. Check whether or not the space provided for you is enough to accommodate your RV. Also, see to it that it is easy to maneuver your vehicle in the space being offered to you so it won’t be a trouble for you to pull the RV in and out of the space.
Ask the staff about access hours, security features, and amenities they offer. Once you are decided, get a written contract from the facility and make sure it includes every detail including terms and conditions, access hours, pricing, and other services.
If you want to get discounts, get a long term commitment from the facility. Most companies will give you a discount on the monthly fees if you sign a long-term contract with them.
It may help you a little if you find RV owners in your neighborhood and ask them about where they store their RVs. Getting their firsthand stories on RV storage facilities can help you decide better on which facility to choose for your RV.
Some Things To Consider When Storing An RV
There really are a lot of things you have to keep in mind when storing an RV. It is important that you get the right storage space to ensure that your RV will be safe at all times. Here are some things you must consider before choosing a storage facility for your RV:
Type of storage. When storing an RV, it is common for owners to ask which is better—indoor or outdoor storage? Take note that though outdoor storage is typically cheaper, it exposes your RV to the elements such as heat, rain, sunlight, and winds that can damage your RV over time. Indoor storage, though more expensive, protects your RV from the outdoor elements that may eventually bring damage to them. Take note that even if you pay more for storage in an indoor facility, you'll likely pay lower maintenance and insurance costs as compared to storing your RV outdoors.
Space. It is very important that the RV storage facility will provide you convenient access for parking, pulling in and out the unit, and washing the RV. Know the measurements of your RV and see to it that the space you will be renting is enough to accommodate your RV without any trouble.
Location. Take note that a good storage facility is somewhere near your residence so you don't have to face the hassles of traveling long distances just to access your RV. With a storage facility near you, you can enjoy more hours on the road with your RV when you plan a trip. Plus, in the event you want to access your RV, the vehicle is almost within your reach all the time.
Security. Security in RV storage facilities is very important. Usually, a good level of security guarantees a good value for your money. Some security systems to look for in a facility are fenced parking area, 24/7 video surveillance, fire and security alarms, and on-site security personnel. If you want high-end security for your vehicle, choose facilities that offer individual alarm and surveillance systems for each RV they have admitted for storage.
Amenities. Some amenities you may want to have in the storage facility of your choice are lighting, electricity, water, trash, drainage, battery charging, and sewer facilities. These are the basic things you may need in a storage facility. However, if you do not intend to use all or some of these amenities, you may want to check out more affordable facilities without these amenities.
Insurance. Check out the insurance coverage provided by the facility to your RV while on storage. Take note that usually, basic insurance has limits in terms of coverage of RVs in storage. If your current insurance does not cover your vehicle while on storage, care to purchase extended warranty from the facility. However, make sure to double check their insurance coverage offers to ensure your RV is very well protected all the time.