Posts Tagged ‘Rvs’

Tips on Preparing Your Rv for Long Term Storage

Posted by on Monday, January 11, 2010. Leave a Comment

Owning an RV is extremely fun since it will help you and your family affordably travel around the country. The only problem with owning an RV is that eventually you will need to store it for a long period of time. This is especially true if you are a working individual who can only travel for a couple of weeks during the year. In order to keep you RV in top condition it is important that you take all of the appropriate steps needed for storing an RV for a long period of time.

The first thing that must be done for long term storage of an RV is finding a good storage location. Tempting as it might be an RV should never be left out of doors for several months at a time. This is just asking for trouble in the form of rodents and weather damage. Instead invest in an RV storage facility that will provide at the least a roof and a sturdy door for your RV. There are some RV storage facilities that are similar to traditional storage units with the main difference being their size and overall function.

Once you have found a good storage site for your RV clean the storage space out. There is no need to risk your RV to the vermin that another renter might have left behind. Plus in some cases the RV storage area might have gone a long time without being used. This usually means that the area has been taken over by any wildlife or insects that are interested in having a warm, safe, location to rest in during the winter and cool comfortable place to relax in all summer. Taking the time to clean your RVs storage area will cut down on the problems you will have in the future.

The next thing that you should do is clean your RV. Do not just drive your dirty, dusty, RV into its storage area and leave it. Instead give the outside a good, thorough washing and waxing if you can. Cover the tires in grease that will help them avoid cracking and other damage. Then clean out the inside of the RV. Remove all food whether it is canned or not and vacuum the interior. Check the RV several times for forgotten food since this will attract vermin and insects who will try as long as they can to get into your RV and make it there new home.

Once you are done with the basic inner and outer cleaning of your RV it is time to get dirty. You must always remember to flush out your RV holding tank and give it a good cleaning. Most people hate this task but it must be done. If you do not flush out and clean your RV holding tank then you might notice extremely bad smells the next time you climb into your RV. Clean your RV using dish liquid that is designed to fight grease and grime. This will give you the best cleaning possible and leave your holding tank smelling fresh and clean.

If it is the winter time or winter is fast approaching there are a few more things that you will need to do to make sure your RV stays in tip top shape. The first thing you must do is completely drain your water heater. There is equipment available that will help flush the water out of your system and dry the lines. Once the water has been drained use a bypass system to add antifreeze to the lines to avoid freezing and damage during the winter. These bypass systems come with instructions that are usually easy to follow.

Last, but not least, you must remove the battery from your RV. Many RV owners are tempted to leave their batter in the RV all year long but this can lead to draining, corrosion, and even leakage of dangerous battery acid. Instead of leaving the battery in your RV when you are not using it remove it and bring it into your house. Do not store the battery in a bedroom; instead store it in a garage or outside work room that remains warm or comfortable throughout the year. To keep your battery from losing charge try to charge the batter for a few days or hours each month to keep it fully charged. When you are ready to use your RV again simply reinstall your battery and get ready to drive.

Preparing your RV for long term storage is pretty easy to do once you get used to it. Overtime you will notice that you are able to prepare your RV faster than before and learning how to prepare your RV for storage quickly and efficiently will help keep your RV running well for years to come.

Simply Self Storage – What Could be Easier than Simply?


Simply Self Storage is the largest privately owned self storage company in the United States and Puerto Rico. We own and/or operate over 228 facilities with over 16.1 million square feet of storage space.

Decluttering Your House Using Self Storage

Posted by on Monday, January 4, 2010. Leave a Comment

Some of the time, when a person is moving or when they are simply rearranging or cleaning their house they may look and feel as though it is very cluttered. This can make a person feel trapped or even make them feel as though they where very mentally cluttered also.  There are many other reasons that a person would realize that their place of residence was cluttered just as there are many reasons that they would not want where they lived to be cluttered.

When a person is thinking about trying to have less clutter or get the items that cause clutter elsewhere they may have a hard time letting go of the items because they will feel like to get rid of them they would have to give them away or throw them out. There are other options for all types of items, which can help you to free up space where you live or even in other areas. You are able to store items in self-storage. This way you have access to them if you ever need them and you are able to arrange them in any way you like while being able to add items or take items away.

There are also other ways that a house can be cluttered. For instance, many people will have a boat that they use for only half of the year and the other half it will reside in their garage, from yard or another area where it can not only be very unattractive but can take up space that might have better uses. There are also people who have RVs for when they go on vacations, but do not go on these vacations very often so the RV has to be kept in the garage or in the driveway which can get in the way if you are trying to pull in or out to go to other places. The people who need storage units for their boats or RVs can use boat storage, RV storage or self-storage if they prefer.

Many people prefer to use self storage because you are not only able to arrange your items in any way that you would like but you do not have to trust others with items that are valuable to you or other people who you may decide to share a space with. Another great thing about self-storage is that you do not need to let movers or other people know what it is that you are storing making it much safer for your items and yourself when you are on the premises where your storage rental is.

One of the things that ever person should do before signing a contract for a storage rental, whether it is for short term storage or long term storage, is make sure that the place they are trying to store their items is actually the best place for them and the safest.

Here are some questions you may want to ask the person who is in charge at the time when you visit:

Do you have security cameras that have a view of the storage unit I will be renting? Have you ever had any break-ins to storage units in the past? Will I be the only person with access to my storage unit? Has anyone in the past gotten hurt on premises? (if so was is a security guard or a renter?) Is there a staff member on site at all times?

When you make sure the place where your items will be is safe you will be able to be assured that your items will be there for you when you need them or any time you want to check on them or retrieve an item. Any individual who has a storage unit wants to feel like it is safe to check-up on their items and like they can go any time they like without having to be afraid.

When a person is making sure that their house has less clutter it can be because of many different reasons or factors, but as long as you take the correct precautions and realize what a great opportunity it is you are sure to be able to get the job done when using self-storage. In addition, keep in mind if you are trying to find a place to store items that need specific temperatures that you may be in need of a climate control storage, this Is great for wine or other items that can change after periods of time under incorrect conditions.

Simply Self Storage – What Could be Easier than Simply?
Simply Self Storage is the largest privately owned self storage company in the United States and Puerto Rico. We own and/or operate over 228 facilities with over 16.1 million square feet of storage space.

Declutter Your House Using Self Storage

Posted by on Sunday, January 3, 2010. Leave a Comment

Some of the time, when a person is moving or when they are simply rearranging or cleaning their house they may look and feel as though it is very cluttered. This can make a person feel trapped or even make them feel as though they where very mentally cluttered also.  There are many other reasons that a person would realize that their place of residence was cluttered just as there are many reasons that they would not want where they lived to be cluttered.

When a person is thinking about trying to have less clutter or get the items that cause clutter elsewhere they may have a hard time letting go of the items because they will feel like to get rid of them they would have to give them away or throw them out. There are other options for all types of items, which can help you to free up space where you live or even in other areas. You are able to store items in self-storage. This way you have access to them if you ever need them and you are able to arrange them in any way you like while being able to add items or take items away.

There are also other ways that a house can be cluttered. For instance, many people will have a boat that they use for only half of the year and the other half it will reside in their garage, from yard or another area where it can not only be very unattractive but can take up space that might have better uses. There are also people who have RVs for when they go on vacations, but do not go on these vacations very often so the RV has to be kept in the garage or in the driveway which can get in the way if you are trying to pull in or out to go to other places. The people who need storage units for their boats or RVs can use boat storage, RV storage or self-storage if they prefer.

Many people prefer to use self storage because you are not only able to arrange your items in any way that you would like but you do not have to trust others with items that are valuable to you or other people who you may decide to share a space with. Another great thing about self-storage is that you do not need to let movers or other people know what it is that you are storing making it much safer for your items and yourself when you are on the premises where your storage rental is.

One of the things that ever person should do before signing a contract for a storage rental, whether it is for short term storage or long term storage, is make sure that the place they are trying to store their items is actually the best place for them and the safest.

Here are some questions you may want to ask the person who is in charge at the time when you visit:

Do you have security cameras that have a view of the storage unit I will be renting? Have you ever had any break-ins to storage units in the past? Will I be the only person with access to my storage unit? Has anyone in the past gotten hurt on premises? (if so was is a security guard or a renter?) Is there a staff member on site at all times?

When you make sure the place where your items will be is safe you will be able to be assured that your items will be there for you when you need them or any time you want to check on them or retrieve an item. Any individual who has a storage unit wants to feel like it is safe to check-up on their items and like they can go any time they like without having to be afraid.

When a person is making sure that their house has less clutter it can be because of many different reasons or factors, but as long as you take the correct precautions and realize what a great opportunity it is you are sure to be able to get the job done when using self-storage. In addition, keep in mind if you are trying to find a place to store items that need specific temperatures that you may be in need of a climate control storage, this Is great for wine or other items that can change after periods of time under incorrect conditions.

Simply Self Storage – What Could be Easier than Simply?
Simply Self Storage is the largest privately owned self storage company in the United States and Puerto Rico. We own and/or operate over 228 facilities with over 16.1 million square feet of storage space.

Using Self Storage to Store Your Boat in Tennessee

Posted by on Tuesday, December 29, 2009. Leave a Comment

Many people don’t think of self storage as a good option for truly large items, but using self storage to store your boat in Tennessee is a great option if you’d like to keep your boat safe and secure somewhere away from your home. Self storage is a popular, flexible and cost-effective method of storing things away from our homes and offices so why not a boat?

Using self storage to store your boat is a clever way to finally have room for that boat you’ve always wanted, or the one that’s been taking up valuable space in your yard or garage for years. Your neighborhood may not even allow you to have a boat parked anywhere visible from the street. This can pose problems for people short on space.

Many people only think of self storage when they think about moving, and need a place to store certain things during the transition, or if they need a place to temporarily store things. And sometimes people use self storage just to get clutter and stored items out of their house while they decide what to do with them.

But self storage can be used for large items that we might not really have that much room for in our yards or garages. People store not just boats, but motor homes, recreational vehicles, trailers and motorcycles. People even park cars in self storage units these days.

Self storage is wonderful because you can access your stored items, whether a boat, a huge room full of furniture or a smaller room full of boxes or whatever you want to store, at any time the facility is open. You don’t need to let anyone know what you’re taking out, what you’re putting in, or any personal and private details like this (though you may have to sign into the facility for security purposes).

Using self storage to store your boat in Tennessee may even be a more secure storage option than keeping it on your own property. Most self storage facilities (especially those that have enough room for and allow items like cars, RVs and boats) have general security systems and procedures in place to further protect your stored items.

You’ll want to find a self storage facility that has special units for vehicles and boats that are covered if they don’t actually have storage space much like their regular indoor storage but larger for these items. Some self storage facilities cater to customers who want to store large items like boats in Tennessee and offer boat-related services like cleaning and storage preparation for additional fees.

If you’re thinking about using self storage to store your boat in Tennessee, you’ll want to make sure the boat is properly prepared for storage. If you’re not sure how to do this, it’s well worth it to pay the extra to the storage facility, or someone who’s familiar with how to care for a boat, to prepare your boat for storage.

You’ll need to do basic mechanical things like tightening anything that might be loose, lubricating the moving parts, flushing the fuel line and the cooling system, and making sure that all water is drained from the engine. New oil and filters as well as a good cleaning are essential, too.

And if you’re using self storage to store your boat in Tennessee, don’t forget to take extra items off the boat before storing, like life preservers, anything electronic, fire extinguishers or anything you don’t want subjected to extremes in weather or that you might use elsewhere. Especially if the storage is outside, be sure to tarp the boat.

You might find self storage options for storing your boat in Tennessee that allow you to store the boat inside. These might be the more expensive options, but they probably offer extra security, and your boat is protected from the elements. As long as you properly prepare the boat and remove all possible sources of moisture from the mechanical parts, indoor storage is ideal.

But you might choose to opt for facilities that offer outdoor storage. These are a more cost-effective self storage option, and the facility probably will have enough security measures in place to protect even those items like cars, RVs and boats that are stored outside. Just make sure you properly prepare, dry, and cover your boat, and check carefully to make sure your storage spot is well-covered, and you can save a little money while using self storage to store your boat in Tennessee.

Simply Self Storage – What Could be Easier than Simply?
Simply Self Storage is the largest privately owned self storage company in the United States and Puerto Rico. We own and/or operate over 228 facilities with over 16.1 million square feet of storage space.

RV, Vehicle and Boat Self Storage

Posted by on Monday, December 28, 2009. Leave a Comment

People have many reasons for wanting to use self storage for things like boats, 4-wheelers, RVs, cars, motorcycles and small recreational vehicles like ATVs, and jet skis. Some people lack the space at their homes or apartment buildings to store these vehicles or they’re using available space for other items. Others choose to store things like an extra car in self storage, where it’s available should they need it, while securely stored and protected from the elements.

Sometimes the security offered at a self storage facility is much better than the security available when parking on the street in certain areas. And some people even use self storage as a convenient place to park when they work in cities, or areas where parking is limited and more expensive than the monthly fee at the self storage facility.

Regardless of the reason for using self storage for vehicles and boats, there are some good things to do before storing them to ensure that when you’re ready to use them again, they’ll be in tip-top condition.

The type of vehicle storage you choose will depend mostly on your budget, how protected you want the vehicle to be from the elements, and how much security you want. An outdoor storage unit is the least expensive, but also the least protected from both the weather and would-be thieves. As long as the storage facility has excellent security and good lighting for its outdoor units, security may not be an issue. But the vehicle will be exposed to the outdoor elements, even if the unit has a roof or a carport over the top, or is an open, garage-type structure.

These outdoor units are best for vehicles that are large, like RV storage, vehicles that aren’t very valuable (you wouldn’t want to store that classic show car in outdoor storage, for instance) or that aren’t going to be put in long term storage. Many facilities even have hook ups for RVs in each unit.

You can also find vehicle storage in a drive-up garage space that offers a garage-type door over each unit, rather than being open. Drive-up storage costs more than outdoor storage but offers protection from the elements (though probably not the temperature, unless it’s a climate control storage unit) and more security.

A drive up indoor storage unit will cost the most, as it’s most likely a climate control unit that won’t go below 50 or 60 degrees, or above 80 degrees. This offers the most protection for your vehicle or boat.

When you’re storing a vehicle that’s not going to be used frequently, such as long term storage of a classic car during the winter months, you’ll want to follow good storage preparation practices to make sure that your vehicle comes out of storage in the same condition it went in.

For most vehicles, a thorough cleaning is the first step. You want to clean both the inside and the outside of the vehicle thoroughly. Make sure that the engine is tuned up and that you’ve applied lubricant anywhere rust could possibly form. Make sure engine parts and moving parts are thoroughly dry when they should be, and lubricated otherwise. Any water left in the engine area can cause problems.

Also, don’t just dust and vacuum the interior, but do a detailed cleaning. Even the smallest crumbs left in the vehicle can attract vermin, even in indoor storage. Make sure the tires are properly inflated, and in some cases you’ll even want to put wooden planks or other material on the floor to drive the vehicle onto to protect it further, as well as to protect the floor. All vehicles should be cleaned and prepared in this manner, and boats should be dried especially well before storage to avoid damage.

Be aware that vehicle self storage, whether indoors or outdoors, is for running vehicles only. Your self storage facility will likely not allow you to store a vehicle that must be towed in, as they don’t allow you to work on a vehicle while in self storage. Because of the fluids, fuels and chemicals used when working on engines and other parts of vehicles, this is prohibited.

Also, you’ll want to check your vehicle storage often to make sure that the tires remain inflated at all times. Also, for boat storage, RV storage and vehicle storage, you’ll probably need to show proof of ownerships and insurance, and make sure that the vehicles display valid license plates the entire time they’re stored.

Simply Self Storage – What Could be Easier than Simply?
Simply Self Storage is the largest privately owned self storage company in the United States and Puerto Rico. We own and/or operate over 228 facilities with over 16.1 million square feet of storage space.

Comparing Types of Self Storage

Posted by on Sunday, December 27, 2009. Leave a Comment

Self storage rental comes in many different shapes and sizes. Mini storage can be a small storage unit the size of a tiny closet, or large enough to store everything in your house. It can even be large enough for RV storage, boat storage and vehicle storage. You can choose short term or long term storage, and you even have a choice between three basic types of self storage like outdoor storage, indoor units and the kind of storage you can drive right up to.

Each type of storage is ideal for a certain item, but usually able to hold other items as well – with the exception of outdoor storage, which is most suitable for vehicles, boats, RVs, motorcycles and other large equipment like lawn or farm equipment, and not suitable for most general items. But with indoor storage, you can store some large equipment, as well as things like valuables and paperwork, and drive-up storage is suitable for just about anything you need to store, including boats, RVs and other vehicles.

Drive-up storage units are probably the most common self storage available. These units are about the size of a small garage, with the standard size typically coming in at about 10 x 10. They can be smaller or larger, with varying ceiling heights. These units are usually not climate control storage, so anything stored in them will need to be able to stand up to possible extreme temperatures, based on the climate in your area. A drive-up storage unit is convenient because you can back a truck right up to the unit and unload it there. You don’t have to carry items through a building to get to an indoor storage unit. And because the door is like a garage door that rolls up and out of the way, the opening is large enough to easily accommodate things like appliances and furniture, and even allows some vehicles to drive right in, if the facility allows vehicles in their drive-up storage units (and most do).

You may even be able to find climate control drive-up self storage, but don’t assume that the facility offers them. Ask so you can be sure to get the right storage for you needs. There are some possible drawbacks to this type of self storage, whether you’re using it for boat storage, vehicle storage, or general storage.

Because the door is accessible from the outside, there’s a higher risk of theft or a break-in than you’ll find with indoor self storage. It’s important with drive-up storage facilities for you be aware of their security measures before you commit to storage rental. You’ll want to make sure someone can’t just walk up to the building, cut off your lock and gain access to your belongings. Check their security carefully. Also, be sure not to put anything in the unit for long term storage that could suffer under hot and cold conditions, if the unit isn’t climate control storage. Anything that could be ruined by the slightest moisture, warp, or mildew isn’t a great candidate for long term storage in this type of unit. You should never store food or anything perishable in any storage unit, but be sure you’re aware of everything you put inside and that nothing that could possibly draw insects or vermin might be in any of your boxes. Since the door is easily accessible from the outside, items like this could present a real problem.

Indoor self storage offers you a storage unit inside a building that might contain several floors of storage. These are the most likely to be climate control storage, but be sure to ask because not all indoor storage is heated and cooled. Most mini storage units are found in indoor storage facilities, too. The doors can be roll-up doors like a garage or ordinary doors. These have better security than drive-up and outdoor storage, and are good for people who need climate control storage or just prefer to house their items in an indoor setting, rather than a warehouse or garage-type storage unit.

Outdoor storage usually costs less than both indoor storage (which is the most expensive in almost all cases) and drive-up storage. You can rent storage units big enough for huge RV storage or small enough for a one-person recreational vehicle, like a motorcycle or four-wheeler. The might be covered with a carport, featuring cement or gravel floors. Security of the entire storage area is of utmost importance when you choose outdoor self storage.

Simply Self Storage – What Could be Easier than Simply?
Simply Self Storage is the largest privately owned self storage company in the United States and Puerto Rico. We own and/or operate over 228 facilities with over 16.1 million square feet of storage space.