Storage solutions?

[Richard K.]

My wife and I are anticipating delivery in September of our very first RV: a brand new Escape 15. And we have to decide where to store it. At home is not an option, so we're looking at:

• Indoor storage at a self-storage facility
• Outdoor storage at a self-storage facility
• Outdoor storage at a place that only takes RVs and boats
• Outdoor, covered storage at a place that only takes RVs and boats and has power, water, and dumping facilities, but is farther away than the others

This is in northwestern Washington, so we have to deal with all variety of weather.

I'm interested in hearing of your experiences with different types of storage and your opinions about and solutions for:

• Security of the trailer and its contents
• Travel time between home and storage
• Reducing or eliminating exterior wear and tear from the elements
• Controlling heat (in the summer) and humidity (the rest of the year) inside the trailer
• Availability (or lack thereof) of power, water, and dumping facilities at the storage site
• Washing the outside of the trailer
• Storing other items that may not fit comfortably inside the trailer
• Anything else that we ought to take into consideration

[Eddie Longest]

If you can afford it indoor storage it is the only way to go. Not only do you do you save your gelcoat ,rubber and seals from the suns rays, you also prevent temprature swings which causes condensation and mold problems. Another concern is rodents wherever you store it.
I met a guy in Fla. with a scamp 5th wheel which is about 15 years old. It has been stored in a whse. most of its life when not in use and it looks like a new trailer.
I store my trailer in a barn with no heat but it has a concrete floor and is pretty well sealed. I leave the top vents and and several windows open so the trailer indoor temp swings with the barn temp. I have no mold or musty smell issues. Wax jobs last almost forever. When it was stored outside wax job only lasted about a month.
Eddie

[rgrugg]

Both our trailers are stored outside in our yard. Both trailers have MaxAir vent covers. We leave the vents open. As for winter, one of the trailers will be with us in the south somewhere. This year it'll be the Egg Camper. Previously it was the Kodiak. Trying out the Egg to see how 17 feet will compare to 31 ft. I think it'll be ok with the First Up and the wind curtains for it so we don't have to go inside to spend the evening.

[Donna D.]

For three years I stored my Scamp outdoors at an RV storage facility down the road from my home. Every spring I spent one whole day scrubbing the black mold, green moss and red funk off the outside. I finally was able to get it home after I had a carport built. Now come spring, all I need to do is hose it off because all it gets is dusty. I know this solution has to be better for my trailer than the previous storage. It would be perfect if in a heated garage... but, this carport is a huge help in maintaining the exterior appearance.

Good luck with your decision that works best for you.

[Robin G]

For me, if you have the option to store inside I too would go with it! Mine is in our barn and the spring get ready for camping season is minimal. Same as for winter storage. I dread the day I have to store mine outside.


Things such as tires, gel coat, interior fabrics, etc have less wear and tear from the elements...

Proof, went to have the tires checked, the tire guy told me I didn't need new tires.....


My truck, well that's a whole other story and a thousand dollars later I got great tires......