It’s that time of year again. The time for daring camping expeditions, cross country trips to Disney World, and impulse buying kayaks. Many of us capitalize on the warm weather by obtaining a veritable mountain of stuff, including boats, grills, fishing rods, tents, and recreational vehicles. We try to tap into our Fred Flintstone roots while it’s still comfortable and build a second home outdoors–but this paleolithic state of affairs can’t last forever–winter is coming, and if recent history is anything to go by, it’s coming with a vengeance.
So what can we do with our stuff mountain when the snow starts to fall? Many of us are already frantically searching Google for waterproof canvas tarps to cover it. Others are playing virtual tetris in their driveway with the rv, and trying to figure out how to break it to their son that their 1982 Volvo station wagon will have to be parked on the street come December. But there’s a third, more palatable option that we should all be aware of: rv storage. Storage units are no longer extravagances rarely discovered at a bargain; in 2012, near 10% of Americans rented storage units to hold their stuff mountains, and that number can only be growing as our economy recovers and the weather smiles upon us again. Furthermore, if your stuff mountain includes an entire recreational vehicle, winter car storage or rv storage might actually be necessary to prevent costly water damage and rusted parts on vehicles with a lot of complicated fixtures.
It’s important to note that not all storage is created equal! When looking for the perfect place to reassemble stuff mountain, take heed of the following storage unit tips:
1.Pick a unit where you have access to your goods 24/7, so as not to prevent impulse adventures.
2. Make sure the rv storage unit actually holds up to the elements. Do this by making sure the walls aren’t damp to touch and inspect the area in question for mold, cracks in the concrete, or a bad smell.
3. Check that security is up to par. Secure car storage or stuff storage can go a long way towards your peace of mind, so make sure the unit in question isn’t skimping on the security features. If possible, pick a place that gives you your own access code and has solid lock mechanisms, as well as a fence or other barrier to pedestrian entry.
4. Watch for inefficient subdivisions and long walks. It’s no good if you have to climb stuff mountain every time you want your fishing rod. One level, drive-up storage with no hidden ladders or secret passages necessary to access your unit is ideal.
So get out there, Vacationers. Do your research, rent a unit, and accumulate your Pro-Badminton 5000’s and your Big Kahuna tuna catching technique videos with abandon, knowing that when winter finally arrives, you’ll have a safe place to pile it all until next year.