Vehicle Storage Solutions

Vehicles, in a word, mean freedom.

They turn days into hours, hours into minutes. They give you the option to shop or work across town. They let you explore your surroundings whenever you want. They are the gateway to adventure far from your door, or just down the street.

In our quest for freedom, sometimes we accumulate more cars, boats, trucks, RVs, toys and so on than we can reasonably keep at our house or apartment. That’s OK, you just need a partner like Store Space, for affordable storage options to keep your vehicles safe and out of the way at home.

What’s Driving your Need for Storage?

The need for vehicle storage can crop up at any time. For instance, certain vehicles might need to be kept out of the way during the off-season. Local rules and regulations may not allow you to keep a boat or RV on your property on in the street. Security concerns can affect collectors and contractors alike. Or sometimes, you just don’t have enough space for all your accumulated toys.  

Whatever your situation, many Store Space facilities have convenient and safe vehicle storage options to help you out.

We make it easy to rent vehicle storage. Choose Touchless Rentals online or by phone or stop by our office to rent storage using our self-service kiosk or to work with our friendly, knowledgeable management team.  

Our low rates, move-in promotions and availability are always published on our store pages.  We have month-to-month leases so you can rent for as long as you need, without getting trapped in a long-term contract.

We take security seriously at all our locations, with fenced perimeters and restricted gate access. We also keep interior and exterior spaces well-lit and covered with 24/7 surveillance.

Store Space facilities with drive-up storage are designed with large driveways to accommodate larger vehicles, whether it’s a moving truck, your trailered boat or a fifth-wheel RV.

Types of Vehicle Storage

There are three main types of vehicle storage: outdoor, covered and indoor. Store Space facilities typically have one or more of these options available for residential or commercial customers.

1) Outdoor

Facilities that offer outdoor storage typically have reserved parking in a designated area behind a fence. These can range anywhere from car-sized parking spots between 15 to 20 feet long, and upwards of 35 feet or more for the largest trailers, boats, RVs and fifth wheels. As the name implies, these are outdoors, so a heavy-duty vehicle cover is recommended to protect your vehicle’s finish from the elements.

2) Covered

Covered vehicle storage offers enhanced protection from the elements, protecting your investment from hail, rain, snow and sun. These structures are typically a roof with no walls. While less common than other types of vehicle storage, these are also gated. A vehicle cover is still recommended for maximum coverage.

3) Indoor

There are often two types of indoor storage options available: drive-up or warehouse-style. Drive-up storage units are the most common and offer the convenience of drive-up access and the security of a personally locked door. Drive-up units with climate control are rare and are highly sought after by car collectors.

The roll-up doors on most drive-up units can accommodate vehicles up to 7 ft. tall, making them ideal for cars, pop-up campers, teardrop trailers and more. Some facilities have units with doors tall enough to store oversized vehicles, or large enough to fit multiple cars.

Warehouse-style indoor storage is available in select locations. This is usually more cost-effective than an individual drive-up unit, but still offers the security of an enclosed facility.

While indoor units offer excellent protection from the elements, a dust cover is recommended.

Common Types of Stored Vehicles

Sometimes, HOA rules mandate keeping your recreational vehicle or boat out of sight. Similarly, many municipalities have rules against extended street parking.

Other times, an opportunity arises to pick up a car for a teen driver who’s not quite ready to get behind the wheel. Or, a collector car becomes available at the right price, but the wrong time to start on your next project.

Contractors often have extra work vehicles or equipment that would attract the wrong type of attention if parked on the street or in a driveway.

If you live in an apartment or small home, it might be impossible to store a personal watercraft, motorcycle or side by side.

Below are listed some of the most popular vehicles and the types of storage they might require:

Boat Storage

With so many lakes, reservoirs, rivers and other waterways, it’s understandable that many Americans are into solo water sports, fishing, waterskiing, or just relaxing on the water.   

But what are you going to do when it comes time to put your watercraft away for winter? Keeping a boat in the water or at a harborside facility is convenient but can be prohibitively expensive. Depending on the size or local laws and regulations, storing it at home might not be an option.

For a complete guide to boat storage, including winterizing tips, read our Boat Storage page.

Small Craft

Canoes, kayaks and paddleboards can be stored in almost any storage unit, provided the unit is long enough. Most kayaks are 10 to 12 ft., although seagoing kayaks are up to 23 ft. Canoes are usually 15 to 17 ft. And paddle boards are usually less than 12 ft.

Jet skis require storage in a drive-up storage unit. Most are about 10 ft. in length but remember to add 2 to 4 ft. for the trailer. A tarp or dust cover is a good idea as well.

Smaller fiberglass and aluminum boats, such as sports, pleasure and fishing boats, can also be stored in drive-up storage units. A bass boat, for example, can be anywhere from 16 to 26 ft. Once again, because of the added height and length of a trailer, make sure you add those dimensions into your calculations.

Large Craft

Outdoor parking will vary by facility. Spots tend to range from 8 to 10 feet wide and 15 to 40 feet long.

For the most part, any trailered boat or watercraft that is taller than 7 ft. will have to be stored outside or at a facility with oversized indoor or warehouse-style storage. This includes everything from pontoon boats to larger cruisers, water ski boats, sport fishing boats and more. The beam of most recreational boats is less than 10 ft., making outdoor storage ideal. Factor in your trailer’s tongue when figuring your boat’s length. Having a tarp or boat cover is also highly recommended.
 

Boat Storage Solutions

• Outdoor parking spaces are behind a gated fence at most storage facilities. These spaces are typically 8 to 10 ft. wide, and anywhere from 15 to 40 ft. in length. Make sure to include the trailer’s tongue into your boat’s overall length. An all-weather boat cover is highly recommended.
• Covered spaces are similarly sized to outdoor spaces, but with a roof in place to protect from hail, rain, snow and other weather events. A boat cover or tarp is recommended.
• Indoor storage can include warehouse-style storage found in a limited number of facilities, or drive-up storage units, offered at most storage facilities. These units offer increased protection from the elements and are typically more expensive than outdoor units. Drive-up units are typically height-restricted, but some facilities offer oversized entrances. Dimensions run from 10 ft. by 15 ft. to 12 ft. by 40 ft., depending on the facility. A boat cover is recommended.
• Storing In Storage Units is usually limited to portable watercraft like kayaks, canoes and paddleboards. Remember to use proper supports or rests inside your unit so your investment isn’t damaged. Although most personal watercraft are anywhere from 10 feet to more than 20 feet in length, storage facilities have wide aisles to accommodate moving larger loads. If considering an upper-floor unit, ask the store manager to confirm the size of the facility’s elevator.

Storage for all Types of Autos

Depending on where you live, cars can have seasonal limitations as well. Classics, convertibles and high-performance cars generally don’t see the light of day in the winter but storing these in your home’s garage may mean leaving your daily driver outside in the frost and snow.

Vehicle storage needs aren’t limited to the off-season, though.

One major year-round concern is security, especially if your house doesn’t have a garage or you live in an apartment complex. This is especially true for contractors who don’t want to leave their work truck exposed in a driveway or on the street. Storage facilities have the advantage of fenced and gated exteriors, surveillance cameras and employees tasked with ensuring nothing untoward happens on site.

Specialty car storage facilities and mancave-style garages are great for car collectors, but they are often way out of a normal person’s price range and require signing a long-term lease or purchasing the unit. Instead, check out your storage options at your local Store Space Self Storage facility, where you have a wide range of storage options that you can rent on an as-needed basis.

For a complete guide to car storage, check out our Car Storage page.

Car Storage

Many storage facilities offer one or more storage options for cars and trucks. The most common are drive-up storage units, followed closely by gated outdoor storage. Some facilities offer warehouse-style indoor storage, or oversized units as well.

While there is at least one car that can fit into a 10 by 10-foot space (the smart fortwo), a few compact cars can fit in 10 by 15-foot spaces. Most cars and short wheelbase/standard cab trucks require 10 by 20-foot spaces. Oversized spaces up to 40 feet can be used for commercial vehicles, food trucks, trailer storage and full-sized pickups.

Classic cars

Storage facilities and classic cars go together beautifully. Using a drive-up storage unit is about as complicated as pulling into a garage. Once inside, your investment is protected from the elements, as well as the normal dings and scratches that come from storing in your garage. Although rare, climate-controlled drive-up storage units are highly sought after by car collectors, since temperature extremes and humidity can negatively affect leather or plastic interiors, rubber hoses, batteries and other car parts.

Auto Storage Solutions

There are three main types of car storage solutions available at storage facilities.

• Outdoor car storage is available at many storage facilities. These parking spaces are behind a fence and access is restricted via a PIN-controlled gate. Available spaces are a standard width (8 to 10 feet) and are 20 feet or more in length. If your car is trailered, make sure to account for the length of the trailer when selecting an outdoor spot. An all-weather car cover is highly recommended. 
• Covered car storage offers the same storage opportunities as outdoor storage, but with the added benefit of a roof overhead. These offer additional protection from hail, snow, rain and other elements. 
• Indoor storage takes a couple of different forms. Drive-up storage is the most common, with 10 by 20-foot units being the most popular for cars. Some facilities also offer warehouse-style indoor storage for added protection from the elements, usually at a lower cost than an individual drive-up unit. Indoor units often have a height limitation, so if your vehicle is lifted or overly tall, be sure to check with the store manager. A dust cover is recommended.

RV Storage and Trailer Storage

Recreational vehicles are great when you’re using them but can be a bit of a pain when you’re not. Between HOAs, local laws and security issues, it’s hard to find an appropriate place to store your RV when you’re not using it.

Fortunately, there’s Store Space, where you can store your RVs, including fifth-wheels, motor homes, travel trailers, camper vans, toy haulers, pop-ups and more. Storage options will vary by facility, but typically include gated outdoor parking for vehicles 10 feet wide and between 15 and 40 feet in length. Indoor storage is available in some facilities in the form of drive-up units, oversized units or warehouse-style storage.

For a complete guide to storing your recreational vehicle, read our RV Storage article.

RV Storage Solutions

Because of their size and durability, RVs are most frequently stored outdoors, although additional options are available at many facilities. Storage facilities are great options for storing your RV. Store Space offers month-to-month rentals and low rates, combined with security and easy access points.

• Outdoor RV Storage is the most common offering available to RV owners. In many storage facilities, the additional parking area is offset from the storage units. These are enclosed within the facility’s perimeter fencing and access is restricted via PIN. Units are typically 10 feet wide and can vary in length from 15 to 40 feet. An RV cover or tarp is strongly recommended.
• Covered RV Storage offers similar storage options as outdoor storage, but with the added advantage of a roof. This provides additional protection from the elements, including hail, snow, rain, the sun and so on. While not as critical, a tarp or cover is recommended.
• Indoor RV Storage usually comes in three distinct types: standard drive-up, warehouse or oversized. 

1. Standard drive-up units are typically limited by the door entrance size (usually 7 ft. tall), but can be used for teardrop trailers, pop-up campers and similar low-profile RVs.
2. Warehouse-style storage is effectively indoor parking within an enclosed building. Cheaper than an individual storage unit, these spaces offer great protection from the environment.
3. Some facilities offer oversized storage units, designed specifically for larger vehicles. These drive-up units are typically deeper than standard units and feature entry doors tall enough for most vehicles.

Small Vehicles, including Motorcycles and Side by Sides

Motorcycles can be kept in storage units as small as 5 by 10 feet. Mopeds are usually around 6.5 feet in length, while the largest touring bikes are less than 8.5 ft. Some facilities offer special indoor parking for motorcycles. If you have a custom bike, take careful measurements before renting a storage unit. It’s a good idea to consider how frequently you want to access your motorcycle if you’re considering an indoor unit.

Side by sides can be kept in drive-up storage units approximately 10 ft. by 10 ft. If you’re trailering your side by side, make sure to use the trailer’s dimensions when calculating the size of the unit you need.

Vehicle Storage Checklist

Whatever type of vehicle you’re keeping at a storage facility, it’s important to keep these things in mind when storing a vehicle for any length of time:

Do’s

1. Drain as much fuel as possible
2. Invest in a well-made, all-weather cover
3. Winterize your vehicle’s plumbing
4. Make sure your title, registration and insurance are up to date
5. Ensure all wheels are properly inflated and in good shape
6. Check to see that all food is removed
7. Drain all water
8. Clean and dry everything before covering
9. Disconnect the battery
10. Remove alternate fuels, like propane tanks

Don’ts:

1. Don’t forget to keep your paperwork up to date. It’s illegal to keep an unlicensed/unregistered vehicle in a storage facility.
2. Don’t use your storage unit as a repair shop. It’s illegal to work on a vehicle in a storage facility.
3. Don’t keep tanks filled with fuel.
4. Don’t forget to lock your vehicle.
5. Don’t forget to run your engine periodically. To preserve tires and to keep things in working order, starting your vehicle at least once a month is recommended.

FAQs

Q: How long can you store a vehicle?

A: As long as you’ve taken steps to winterize and prepare your vehicle for long-term storage, you can theoretically store it indefinitely. With month-to-month rentals, you can keep a vehicle in storage as long as you need. A word of caution, however: outdoor vehicle storage spots rent quickly during the off-season, so if you want to have some continuity with your storage facility, consider maintaining your rental all year ‘round. 

Q: How much does vehicle storage cost?

A: There are a number of factors that dictate vehicle storage cost, such as the availability of storage in an area, the level of protection from the elements and so on. Fortunately, we at Store Space publish our rates and available storage options on all our store pages, so you know what to expect. 

Q: How often can I access a stored vehicle?

A: We understand customers need to be able to access their storage units on their schedule. For that reason, customers are given unique PINs and can access their stored possessions from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. 

Rent Vehicle Storage Now

When it comes time to get an additional storage space for your car, boat, RV or your toys, Store Space has you covered. Use our online storage finder or call us at 833-786-7366 to find the storage facility nearest you.