Long Distance Storage

[Joenew61]

We are a few years into Rv ownership and both retired. After a few trips up and down the East Coast (Connecticut based), and a cross country trip to Vancouver and back, it seems as though most of the interesting routes and itineraries are in the Western third of the country. Given the distance for us to get there, and the lack of locations with good repeat value between here and there, I was thinking of leaving the rig out West as a base to eliminate having to drive the 5,000 miles round trip just to get to where we wanted to go.

I understand that the travel is the experience, but it's getting a little tougher to get my wife excited about being on the road when we are spending over two weeks "getting there and back", going through places we have already been a few times.

Anyone have any experience with using a concierge-oriented storage place, or other covered/indoor storage + a mobile tech from a distance in the West Coast? It seems like Phoenix with its warm climate seems to be a good option with a few locations that cater to this. Looking at the economics, even with my current storage location being my driveway, it is almost a wash in terms of cost - Saving on mileage/depreciation, fuel, campsites, maintenance etc. offset by the storage cost. And then there is the time and work involved, as well as risk of breakdown, etc.

Any insight on this would be greatly appreciated!

 

[UTTransplant]

Our international friends (JackieMac and TonyL) are two that I know who did this. I am sure you will hear from them and others. You can find NIRVC storage spots out west, and they store inside plus they will bring your rig in and out plus things like turn on the refrigerator before you come, all for a fee of course! Most people just put their rig in a lot. We are actually doing something similar for this coming winter. We have a 6 month rental campsite, and we will be putting our rig on it some time in October before heading back in early November for Thanksgiving and Christmas. We will get back to the southwest in January.

 

[TonyL]

We have used several storage companies and locations whilst we returned home to the UK, with mixed experiences.
You could pick one location and base all your travels from there, or, as we did, find a storage facility where you intend to end that seasons touring. The following season, start from where you left off, wander as you will and around a month before you finish for the season, pick an end location and look for nearby storage.
The best we used was a recommendation from another forum member (thanks Tanglemoose)
Overton RV and boat storage about 60 miles North of Las Vegas. Covered storage, very flexible, reasonable fees.
The next best was located near the Canadian border at Ferndale, called Safe storage solutions. Unfortunately, we could only get uncovered storage as covered was fully booked, but again, very friendly and accomodating manager, and very competitive rates.
There are aslo some shady companies, that hook you with a competitive rate, then 3 months later, inform you by email that your rate is increasing. All whilst still advertising the cheaper rate to new customers. Hence, avoid Public Storage, used once, never again
You need to do your own due diligence with security of the facility. We found sites advertising fenced, with no fence, security gates, that stayed open most of the day, and security cameras that don't work!
Hope this helps

 

[Joenew61]

We have used several storage companies and locations whilst we returned home to the UK, with mixed experiences.
You could pick one location and base all your travels from there, or, as we did, find a storage facility where you intend to end that seasons touring. The following season, start from where you left off, wander as you will and around a month before you finish for the season, pick an end location and look for nearby storage.
The best we used was a recommendation from another forum member (thanks Tanglemoose)
Overton RV and boat storage about 60 miles North of Las Vegas. Covered storage, very flexible, reasonable fees.
The next best was located near the Canadian border at Ferndale, called Safe storage solutions. Unfortunately, we could only get uncovered storage as covered was fully booked, but again, very friendly and accomodating manager, and very competitive rates.
There are aslo some shady companies, that hook you with a competitive rate, then 3 months later, inform you by email that your rate is increasing. All whilst still advertising the cheaper rate to new customers. Hence, avoid Public Storage, used once, never again
You need to do your own due diligence with security of the facility. We found sites advertising fenced, with no fence, security gates, that stayed open most of the day, and security cameras that don't work!
Hope this helps

Thanks - very helpful! Did the facility have in house technicians to handle maintenance and winterizing (?). One of my big concerns, other than security, is in finding someone trustworthy to work on it. Great advice on the rate issue - will need to make sure they don't have that flexibility if I am arranging a seasonal stay. I do like the idea of seasonal facility hopping, though I think I would prefer a climate that is warm enough to not worry about freezing. Indoor, climate controlled is also pretty appealing.

 

[TonyL]

Ferndale is in the Pacific North West, wet but mild climate. Climate controlled is going to cost, does your RV only park in climate controlled conditions?
As for in house technicians, no, never needed them.
I did our own winterizing, (not really required in Nevada, just drain down) and the truck was serviced at Ford service facilities. Most other maintenance was done by a very trusted engineer. ME!
Other mechanical issues were dealt with as they happened with mixed results when using so called RV repairers.
We had a spring hanger bracket break near Livingston Montana and found an excellent repair shop there who welded a new hanger and serviced the hub and brake assemblies. We also had slides adjusted,bearings repacked and brakes checked near Missoula.
The engineer there completely missed the fact that the front axle brakes had never been wired up!

 

[tanglemoose]

We also do this for 6 years now. Have met others, that do the storage route. We recommended the place outside that Tony used, we have used same placefor 6 years, great place.
Lots of storage places around, our rv was never wintersized as Vegas area not necessary.

A lot of rv parks will also do a storage option on their property.

 

[Joenew61]

Ferndale is in the Pacific North West, wet but mild climate. Climate controlled is going to cost, does your RV only park in climate controlled conditions?
As for in house technicians, no, never needed them.
I did our own winterizing, (not really required in Nevada, just drain down) and the truck was serviced at Ford service facilities. Most other maintenance was done by a very trusted engineer. ME!
Other mechanical issues were dealt with as they happened with mixed results when using so called RV repairers.
We had a spring hanger bracket break near Livingston Montana and found an excellent repair shop there who welded a new hanger and serviced the hub and brake assemblies. We also had slides adjusted,bearings repacked and brakes checked near Missoula.
The engineer there completely missed the fact that the front axle brakes had never been wired up!

Thanks - will check them out. My thinking on the climate control preference is just to take one variable out of what needs to be done, and what could go wrong over the winter. Good to help keep the critters away as well.

Regarding the technician, I'd also like the option of having educated eyes on the coach while it was sitting for 5 months, and someone that can make sure everything is operational before we show up to start our journey. I hear ya' on the trusted engineer point - there is no one as conscientious as an owner, and when you are 2,500 miles away it's hard to check the work. I have been doing my own maintenance and repairs on our boat, and now the RV, and will continue to do the latter until I can't bend my body to get where I need to. I have had similar misses like you mentioned when using a third party. I guess I can just allocate time at the end of the season to winterize etc.

I guess a retrofit of a keyless doorlock would be a good addition for access.

 

[richclover]

Thanks - will check them out. My thinking on the climate control preference is just to take one variable out of what needs to be done, and what could go wrong over the winter. Good to help keep the critters away as well.

Regarding the technician, I'd also like the option of having educated eyes on the coach while it was sitting for 5 months, and someone that can make sure everything is operational before we show up to start our journey. I hear ya' on the trusted engineer point - there is no one as conscientious as an owner, and when you are 2,500 miles away it's hard to check the work. I have been doing my own maintenance and repairs on our boat, and now the RV, and will continue to do the latter until I can't bend my body to get where I need to. I have had similar misses like you mentioned when using a third party. I guess I can just allocate time at the end of the season to winterize etc.

I guess a retrofit of a keyless doorlock would be a good addition for access.

You might check Storemore storage in Mesquite, NV. ON I-15, about 1:30 north of Vegas. I had a 60’ pull through covered spot there for a few years. 35’ spots, too. There are others in town. There are several mobile RV technicians in town. I’ve had good experience with Ray’s Roadside Service. During my RV days I would routinely winterize my 5’er when not in use, although this past winter was warm. We do get the occasional freeze warning, there’s snow above 6000’ on the Virgin Mountains, and our record low in Mesquite is +18 degF. Have fun and safe travels!

 

[TheBar]

My RV is only stored 40 miles away. But you don't realize how much you currently interact with the RV until its gone.

We use our RV as a weekend getaway more than just a vacation vehicle. Not being in the driveway means any local camping takes an hour instead of 5 minutes to stock food, start the engine, and leave. For you that means forget all camping within 1,000 miles of home. Would you be better off renting an RV in the west for 1 yearly trip?

All the things you take for granted when it is in your driveway become a problem.

Ask yourself what you do to prepare in advance before leaving. Do you wash and replace the linens ahead of time, stock food, drinks, and other supplies? Do you change the oil every year and gas up before you leave?

Your storage location needs to have easy access to grocery stores and gas stations. It should have good security fencing, gates and cameras. Electricity for a battery maintainer or dehumidifier etc. And not in a bad part of town like so many storage lots.

I had to wait years until the perfect storage lot had openings. Any place that always has openings means other people don't come back.

 

[Joenew61]

My RV is only stored 40 miles away. But you don't realize how much you currently interact with the RV until its gone.

We use our RV as a weekend getaway more than just a vacation vehicle. Not being in the driveway means any local camping takes an hour instead of 5 minutes to stock food, start the engine, and leave. For you that means forget all camping within 1,000 miles of home. Would you be better off renting an RV in the west for 1 yearly trip?

All the things you take for granted when it is in your driveway become a problem.

Ask yourself what you do to prepare in advance before leaving. Do you wash and replace the linens ahead of time, stock food, drinks, and other supplies? Do you change the oil every year and gas up before you leave?

Your storage location needs to have easy access to grocery stores and gas stations. It should have good security fencing, gates and cameras. Electricity for a battery maintainer or dehumidifier etc. And not in a bad part of town like so many storage lots.

I had to wait years until the perfect storage lot had openings. Any place that always has openings means other people don't come back.

Yep - you nailed what I keep going back and forth with, convenience of being able to get away on those "short" 1-2 week trips in the east versus the cost and time needed for the west coast trips.

For a little more background, we have a Renegade Verona 40 VRB, and tow a Lincoln Navigator behind it, and travel with two dogs, so the trip to the west will likely be in the latter, so we can pack and bring some provisions.

If I can't find someplace that passes the security, safety, and customer service "sniff test", I will likely continue with my Driveway storage.

 

[CharlesinGA]

I was going to say, take different routes out west, down south, where ever, but then I saw you were in Connecticut, and there are few ways in and out of the North East.

Depending on what you like to see and do, different routes will find you all kinds of Museums, oddball roadside attractions and such. Atlas Obscura is an app that helps you find oddball stuff. Google Maps can be used to search for museums, there are many small town museums that I find very interesting..

I would hate to ride the airlines to some point and then get in my RV and go from there. I don't like riding airliners, mostly all of the security issues and hassles, and if I were gone for a long time, I'd have to get someone to take me to the airport..... and Oh, I'm retired from a major airline, 31 years.

My truck and trailer sit behind my house in my "shop" (aka junk collection) and this allows me to work on them whenever I wish. The cats control the vermin and everything is safe and secure.

I am currently sitting in my trailer typing this. I spent this evening replacing the plastic spools the shade strings are attached to. One broke, many cracked, all with the strings routed incorrectly from the factory.

Charles

 

[Joenew61]

I was going to say, take different routes out west, down south, where ever, but then I saw you were in Connecticut, and there are few ways in and out of the North East.

Depending on what you like to see and do, different routes will find you all kinds of Museums, oddball roadside attractions and such. Atlas Obscura is an app that helps you find oddball stuff. Google Maps can be used to search for museums, there are many small town museums that I find very interesting..

I would hate to ride the airlines to some point and then get in my RV and go from there. I don't like riding airliners, mostly all of the security issues and hassles, and if I were gone for a long time, I'd have to get someone to take me to the airport..... and Oh, I'm retired from a major airline, 31 years.

My truck and trailer sit behind my house in my "shop" (aka junk collection) and this allows me to work on them whenever I wish. The cats control the vermin and everything is safe and secure.

I am currently sitting in my trailer typing this. I spent this evening replacing the plastic spools the shade strings are attached to. One broke, many cracked, all with the strings routed incorrectly from the factory.

Charles

That's what we found as well....Philly, Washington, Shenandoah, Great Smoky Mountains, Nashville, Memphis.....etc. or what we did on the northern cross country trip last year - Route 80 for over half the country with >400 miles of cornfields.

I am with you on the airlines - that was a big reason for us to get the RV, that and the ability to travel with the dogs.

We are fortunate to have a big turnaround area on the side of the house, with the garage facing parallel to the street, and are on the end of a very wide cul-de-sac, with plenty of room to back in. I installed a 50amp outlet to keep it all charged when we need it.

 

[Derby6]

Sounds like you're leaning towards Indoor climate control with some pre ready/trip amenities. Nothing wrong there, but was too expensive for my truck and trailer--really made for MH's like you.
If outside covered, I'd avoid deep southwest--Jus too darn hot, even under cover.
I have mine outside of SLC--Tooele, UT / Lakepoint. Covered storage; about 20 miles from airport, and a Comfort Inn within walking distance from storage place. Easy to fly into SLC and take cab to hotel/storage. Fly or drive in, I can stay in hotel 1-2 nights while I get trailer (and truck it it was stored) ready for travel. Much cheaper. My 1st stop is St George for 3 nights or so, to unwinterize, and get washed, and make repairs if needed.
Just food for thought.

 

[Jackiemac]

We rent a garage in Boulder City for our gear. We do our own winterisation. I believe there are places in Vegas that do what you are looking for but I have no experience of those.

We only travel in the Western States and find Vegas a good place to fly into and to do loops from. There is a lot of stuff out there to experience and we love it.

Good luck.

 

[Joenew61]

Sounds like you're leaning towards Indoor climate control with some pre ready/trip amenities. Nothing wrong there, but was too expensive for my truck and trailer--really made for MH's like you.
If outside covered, I'd avoid deep southwest--Jus too darn hot, even under cover.
I have mine outside of SLC--Tooele, UT / Lakepoint. Covered storage; about 20 miles from airport, and a Comfort Inn within walking distance from storage place. Easy to fly into SLC and take cab to hotel/storage. Fly or drive in, I can stay in hotel 1-2 nights while I get trailer (and truck it it was stored) ready for travel. Much cheaper. My 1st stop is St George for 3 nights or so, to unwinterize, and get washed, and make repairs if needed.
Just food for thought.

With the weather as unpredictable as it is, I guess it is hard to find a sweet spot where it is not unbearably hot, but still no risk of freeze year-round. Maybe a covered outdoor spot in a low snowfall environment, where winterization is still needed would make sense. SLC seems to be at the center of all the western US itineraries. I like the idea of having the travel window during the year as long as possible, so that makes a more southerly location like Vegas appealing.

 

[Adventurous Traveler]

I really don't understand the OP's plight. There are as many places to visit along the East Coast as there are out West. Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, NY State Adirondack region, Pennsylvania Poconos and Gettysburg, South Carolina Myrtle Beach area, and Charleston, the entire state of North Carolina is an outdoor enthusiast's paradise, from mountain hideaways to cosmopolitan Charlotte and tech hub Raleigh.

Virginia is full of history and beautiful places to visit. Don't forget Cherry Hill campground just outside of Washington, D.C. Florida, Florida, Florida through the Keys down to Key West. Huntsville, Alabama, Hot Springs, Arkansas, The Ark in Kentucky, and let's not forget the Bourbon Trail, Louisville, and Churchill Downs!

Back East or Central U.S., Michigan has as much to offer as almost any state in the country. The West Coast of Michigan, along Lake Michigan, is one New Englandish-type town after another, with fantastic state parks every few miles following the coast. The Ford Museum is a must-see for most folks in Dearborn. Head up to the UP and journey West along Lake Superior, then cross over into Wisconsin. Beautiful. Visit Door County in Wisconsin, and cross over to the Wisconsin Dells.

Sure, the West has an abundance of National Parks, mountains, and beautiful desert landscapes. The Oregon coast, Napa Valley, and U.S. 1 along California's coastline, Las Vegas, anyone, but don't sell the East Coast short, nor the Midwest or Central regions heading down to Texas, where it'll take a whole summer just traveling around that state.

I'd stay put in Connecticut and enjoy the ride as much as the destination, just MHO.

 

[Joenew61]

I really don't understand the OP's plight. There are as many places to visit along the East Coast as there are out West. Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, NY State Adirondack region, Pennsylvania Poconos and Gettysburg, South Carolina Myrtle Beach area, and Charleston, the entire state of North Carolina is an outdoor enthusiast's paradise, from mountain hideaways to cosmopolitan Charlotte and tech hub Raleigh.

Virginia is full of history and beautiful places to visit. Don't forget Cherry Hill campground just outside of Washington, D.C. Florida, Florida, Florida through the Keys down to Key West. Huntsville, Alabama, Hot Springs, Arkansas, The Ark in Kentucky, and let's not forget the Bourbon Trail, Louisville, and Churchill Downs!

Back East or Central U.S., Michigan has as much to offer as almost any state in the country. The West Coast of Michigan, along Lake Michigan, is one New Englandish-type town after another, with fantastic state parks every few miles following the coast. The Ford Museum is a must-see for most folks in Dearborn. Head up to the UP and journey West along Lake Superior, then cross over into Wisconsin. Beautiful. Visit Door County in Wisconsin, and cross over to the Wisconsin Dells.

Sure, the West has an abundance of National Parks, mountains, and beautiful desert landscapes. The Oregon coast, Napa Valley, and U.S. 1 along California's coastline, Las Vegas, anyone, but don't sell the East Coast short, nor the Midwest or Central regions heading down to Texas, where it'll take a whole summer just traveling around that state.

I'd stay put in Connecticut and enjoy the ride as much as the destination, just MHO.

Thanks very much for the suggestions, some of which we have been to before (Maine, New Hampshire, Adirondacks, Poconos, Charleston, Savannah, Outer banks), and a few we have on our list (Florida to the Keys, UP of Michigan). We seem to stop at Cherry Hill on every South/West trip, so are frequent flyers there.

The thinking on the West coast storage is really to be able to get to experience it more than once a year while we are still young enough to do those extended trips - we are both in our late 60s. Doing more than one full round trip cross country a year in the coach just seems a little daunting after doing our >5 week round trip to Vancouver last year.

I'm not too familiar with Texas travel itineraries, so if you had some insight into your plans for that, it would be great!

Thanks again!

 

[UTTransplant]

There are people who love the soft hills and oceans of the east, and there are people who love the stark mountains and deserts of the west. Nothing wrong with either one, but I would recommend not discounting another’s preference just because you don’t share it. I personally am thrilled that the majority of the US population lives and stays east of the Mississippi since it leaves more of my beloved west to me! Just like there are some people who get real pleasure out of detail planning trips and those who fly by the seat of their pants - different strokes for different folks. There is a limited time available to us all, so use it as you prefer, not what other people prefer.

 

[Joenew61]

There are people who love the soft hills and oceans of the east, and there are people who love the stark mountains and deserts of the west. Nothing wrong with either one, but I would recommend not discounting another’s preference just because you don’t share it. I personally am thrilled that the majority of the US population lives and stays east of the Mississippi since it leaves more of my beloved west to me! Just like there are some people who get real pleasure out of detail planning trips and those who fly by the seat of their pants - different strokes for different folks. There is a limited time available to us all, so use it as you prefer, not what other people prefer.

Yes - and this is probably a case of "The grass is always greener on the other guy's lawn", or in this case, "The landscape is grander....". I have done a lot of travelling in the east before retirement and our motorhome purchase in 2024, so the novelty of seeing the west is more appealing for me at this point.

 

[Brad Buchanan]

We are a few years into Rv ownership and both retired. After a few trips up and down the East Coast (Connecticut based), and a cross country trip to Vancouver and back, it seems as though most of the interesting routes and itineraries are in the Western third of the country. Given the distance for us to get there, and the lack of locations with good repeat value between here and there, I was thinking of leaving the rig out West as a base to eliminate having to drive the 5,000 miles round trip just to get to where we wanted to go.

I understand that the travel is the experience, but it's getting a little tougher to get my wife excited about being on the road when we are spending over two weeks "getting there and back", going through places we have already been a few times.

Anyone have any experience with using a concierge-oriented storage place, or other covered/indoor storage + a mobile tech from a distance in the West Coast? It seems like Phoenix with its warm climate seems to be a good option with a few locations that cater to this. Looking at the economics, even with my current storage location being my driveway, it is almost a wash in terms of cost - Saving on mileage/depreciation, fuel, campsites, maintenance etc. offset by the storage cost. And then there is the time and work involved, as well as risk of breakdown, etc.

Any insight on this would be greatly appreciated!

Perhaps you would be better of at a resort. No pesky driving, towing or inconvenience.

Many folk enjoy the travel and finding new places we have never been.