What to Look for When Searching for Vehicle Storage Units
Looking to put a vehicle in storage for long or short term? Here are some handy tips that can make the process of finding the right storage for you easier.
If you’re a fan of cars, you’re probably familiar with the idea of the barn find, the vehicle that’s sat in a barn for decades before being discovered. Yet what about storing vehicles in a dedicated storage unit for weeks, months or years?
If you need to find storage units for cars, bikes, trucks, vans, or any other kind of vehicle, the prospect can seem daunting. In this guide, we’re going to have a look at the key considerations that you need to make when looking for storage units for vehicles.
Is It Secure?
The most important thing with any storage is to make sure that the containers are secure. The containers must be lockable, but the entire site should also be secure, with CCTV and perimeter alarms are a must.
This is the only way that you can be sure that your vehicle is safe from theft, damage or arson.
A Convenient Location
When choosing a car storage facility, you should make sure that it’s at least relatively near you. The storage company’s locations should not be inaccessible to you, and you should be able to visit it within a reasonable amount of time.
This makes it easy to perform maintenance, check on your vehicle, and move it as necessary without having it take up your whole day.
ANVSJ’s Locations
All of ANVSJ’s storage facilities are located off major A roads or motorways, so you’ll have no problem finding a site that’s easy for you to access.
Make Sure the Site Is Clean
A clean site reflects a high level of care. When you go to a storage facility, to see if it’s the right car self storage facility for you, take a look around and see whether the site is clean. If it’s dirty, you should consider whether the site takes proper care of its containers or not, and thus, your vehicle.
Dirtiness can indicate more problems than simply not cleaning often enough – it could also indicate the presence of rodents, which could cause serious damage to your vehicle.
If you don’t feel that they can be trusted with their site, would you trust them to take care of your storage container?
Consider Your Budget
There is a wide range of different storage options available to you when it comes to vehicles. One of the most important factors to consider is your budget and how long you’re expecting to store the vehicle for.
If you’re looking for long-term storage, even years of storage, you should ensure that you can afford to pay the storage company. It’s no good finding the very best site and then only being able to afford one month of storage. Think about your finances and how much you can honestly afford to pay, and for how long.
Do You Need Indoor Storage?
Not every vehicle needs to be stored indoors. If you only need to store your vehicle for a short time, or if it’s a truck, which is less practical to store indoors, you may be better off opting for outdoor storage.
You’ll still get the security benefits offered by indoor storage, as well as a clean site – but you might be able to save some money if you choose outdoor storage.
Pros and Cons of Indoor vs Outdoor Vehicle Storage
When it comes to choosing storage, it can be hard to know whether indoor storage or outdoor is right for you. Let’s take a quick look at the pros and cons of these types of storage, to help you make the right decision for you.
Pros and Cons of Indoor Vehicle Storage
- Pro: Indoor storage offers protection from the elements, keeping your car safe from rain, sun, hail and ice.
- Pro: An extra level of security – indoor storage should be lockable, giving a higher level of security than relying on the site’s security measures alone.
- Con: More expensive – indoor storage contracts a premium
Pros and Cons of Outdoor Vehicle Storage
- Pro: More cost-effective – outdoor storage is often a lower price than indoor storage, ideal for those on a budget
- Pro: Ideal for short-term storage, as weather conditions will not matter for this type of storage.
- Con: Exposure to the elements could cause damage to your car if you store it outdoors long-term.
Do You Need 24/7 Access?
Depending on your needs, you may or may not need around the clock access to your stored vehicle. For instance, if you are likely to need access to your van at short notice, having 24/7 access to the storage site is of the utmost importance.
Similarly, if you need regular access to perform maintenance and will only be available at night, instant access is very important.
Do You Have Confidence in the Company?
The final thing to consider is, perhaps, the most difficult to pin down – do you trust and have confidence in the storage company? This will mean different things to different people, but it’s something you always want to have when you’re handing a company your vehicle for storage.
If something doesn’t feel right, if you don’t have complete confidence in the company, you should trust your instincts and look elsewhere. If you’re questioning whether this storage company is right for you, consider looking at online reviews. Google the business and look at reviews on their listing or check Trustpilot.
Useful Tips When Using Storage Units For Cars
Before you store your vehicle, it’s important to know the best practices of storing one, so that you can minimise maintenance and keep it running smoothly. In this section, we’re going to have a look at what you need to do before storing your car or other vehicle.
Don’t Leave the Handbrake On
While it may seem like a good idea to engage your car’s handbrake before you leave it in storage, this can cause issues with your brakes long-term. Leaving the pads in contact with the brake discs for too long can cause them to get stuck together.
Cover Your Vehicle
If you’re leaving your vehicle in storage long-term, a hard-wearing cover is essential. A bike or car cover can protect the vehicle from weather damage or moisture. Make sure that you secure the cover firmly, as winds can whip them off if not properly secured. Be mindful not to use a plastic tarpaulin – opt for a stretchy and soft material to avoid damaging your vehicle’s paintwork.
Stop Animals Nesting In Your Exhaust
If animals decide to nest in your exhaust, they can damage your vehicle. Thankfully, it’s easy to stop them. All you need to do is put clean rags or other cloths into your exhaust pipe. Be mindful not to push them in too far, or you may have issues getting them out again.
Fill It Up
Before you leave your vehicle in storage, it’s recommended to brim the fuel tank. If you’re going to store it long-term, you should also add a fuel preservative.
Prevent Rust
Rust can cause serious issues with vehicles and damp climates, such as the UK’s, provide ideal rusting conditions. To prevent rust, spray any areas of your vehicle that are going to be exposed with WD40 or another lubricant.
Check Your Oil Before You Leave Your Vehicle
Over time, any contamination in your vehicle’s oil can cause damage to your engine. The best way to prevent this is by checking your vehicle’s oil before you put it into storage. If you’ve had the oil in your engine for a while, it’s probably best to swap it out for clean oil and change your oil filter before you store it.
Conclusion
We hope that this article has been helpful! Storing a vehicle can seem like a big commitment, but by following the advice in this article, you’ll be able to find the right storage facility for your needs. You should also know how to decide whether you need indoor or outdoor storage, and know what you need to do to your vehicle before you put it into storage.
To summarise, you should look for a storage company that offers facilities near you, that are secure, well-priced, clean, and that are within your budget.
Do You Need to Store a Vehicle?
If you need to store a vehicle, ANVSJ can help you. We offer vehicle storage solutions for everything from bikes to trucks in Rotherham, Sheffield, Market Rasen, Brigg, Goole and Chesterfield. For more information, you can contact us via email at info@anvsj.co.uk or by phone at 01709 701155.
Storage Units for Vehicles FAQs
It’s normal to have a lot of questions when it comes to finding the right storage units for cars or other vehicles. In this section, we’ll answer some of the most common questions people have about vehicle storage.
What Size Storage Unit Do I Need for a Vehicle?
This will depend quite significantly on the size of the vehicle in question. However, as a rough guide, you will need 3m x 6m of storage to comfortably fit a car, while a van or lorry will need more. At a push, however, a 3 m x 3 m container will fit most cars.
How Much Do Storage Units for Vehicles Cost?
The price of storage units for vehicles will depend on several factors, such as the size of the vehicle being stored, whether it’s indoors or outdoors, how long you intend to leave it for, and where the storage facility is located. At ANVSJ, we have vehicle storage units available that start at £15 per week.
