Guide To Storing Your Toys For The Winter
Brennen Durka
December 20th, 2021
Cypress Texas: The Complete Guide To Storing Your RV, Boat, And Other Toys For The Winter
The winter season brings with it many seasonal festivities. From smoldering delectable beverages to exhilarating snow activities, winter is a time defined by its frolic-filled days. However, this also means that summer and spring vehicles will be stagnant and at the mercy of the often-harsh winter elements.
Before you unpack your skis, it's pertinent to make proper plans to store your RVs, boats, and ATVs safely. You may be caught up in the throes of winter, but summer is just as exciting, so don't leave your summer and spring toys and tools carelessly around.
One of the best methods of protecting your boats, RVs, and ATVs is putting them in storage or, even better, a self-storage unit. Storage units have skyrocketed in prominence in the last few years, especially in Texas. According to Neighbor.com, Texas has the most storage facilities with an astounding 4,904 units. It is estimated that By 2026, the global self-storage market is expected to be worth 64.71 billion U.S. dollars, up from 48.02 billion U.S. dollars in 2020 according to research by Statista.
It is without a doubt that storage units are the ideal option for storing everything from a few items to product inventory, vehicles, and even all the furniture for a two-bedroom home. Whatever your storage requirements, a self-storage unit can suit your needs. So don't be hindered by the size of your beloved boat or RV.
If you reside in Cypress, TX, then you have the advantage of employing the services of leading storage company GreenFill Cypress Storage.
But whether you're in Cypress, Texas, or not, the surefire way of keeping your expensive summer vehicles safe during the winter is tucking them away in a secure self-storage unit.
Best Practices for Storing Your RVs, Boats, and ATVs In the Winter and Long Periods of Time
Your RV, boat, and ATV are your vehicles of freedom. At the first hint of summer or spring, you pack up and let the open road take you where your heart desires. Here are the 6 best storage practices for recreational vehicles in the winter and for extended periods to guarantee your future road trips get off to an smooth start.
1. Choose Storage Wisely
Before you do anything else, choose a credible, safe self-storage unit. Storage units come in a myriad of sizes with indoor and outdoor options and specifics for holding large vehicles. Self-storage units are the best way to store RV, boats, and ATVs as these storage locations feature covered storage options as well as uncovered parking spaces. Most storage facilities also include parking spaces with overhead roofs. Other storage companies provide climate-controlled units and indoor storage that helps to keep your recreational vehicle away from the direct wrath of the snow and its extreme temperatures.
2. Cleaning and Inspection
The next best practice in securing your vehicles of fun in winter is a thorough cleaning and exterior inspection. It goes without saying that it needs to be thoroughly cleaned and waxed before you lock it up. Dust begets dust, so to prevent dirt and debris from building up, proper cleaning is necessary. After cleaning, inspect for cracks and holes and reseal or caulk them. Doing this prevents any water or critters from taking up residence. While many opt to do this themselves, it is recommended that you hire a professional to get the job done effectively.
3. Critter Proof Your RVs, ATVs, and Boats
Pest like to burrow their way into RVs in search of warmth for the winter. Begin by ensuring there are no gaps or holes where critters can crawl into your RV. Seal holes in the exterior and undersides with sealants, wool, or spray foam. To discourage the rodents, remove temptation. Be sure to remove all food from the RV, then thoroughly clean the refrigerator, freezer, cupboards, countertops, and floors. Rodents such as mice and squirrels will have a field day chewing through wiring, plastic, and rubber if this measure is not prioritized.
4. Tire Care
Unlike other vehicles, to protect your RV tires, you will need to remove excess weight and hoist the wheels on blocks to release pressure.
5. Drain Fluids
Draining your fluids is vital. Flush out the water tanks, plumbing system, and water heater when securing your boats, RVs, and ATVs. A bonus tip is adding a little antifreeze to piping, valves, and waste tanks to prevent any leftover water from freezing. Any excess water left in the plumbing system can freeze and break line fittings, resulting in costly damage.
6. Protect Batteries
Disconnect your batteries and store them in a cool and dry place. Batteries lose some of their charge in storage, and the cool temperature limits that loss.
Best Practices For Keeping Storage Items Safe During Colder Months
Winter just doesn't require us to store recreational vehicles. Outside furniture, some appliances, and clothes often require storage during the winter. The rule of thumb for storage preparation is to wash and clean any item before putting it into storage.
- Sort through your clothes and separate your winter clothes from your summer clothes. Pack away excess summer clothing items into storage bins and place them in your self-storage unit. Many outdoor furniture such as grills cannot withstand the weather and are better kept in a storage unit.
- Leaving outdoor furniture to the elements or improperly storing them in your garage can lead to moisture damage and ultimately rust. A storage unit is the best option for garden tools such as your lawnmower. By doing this, you will free up limited garage space that is needed to house your winter tools.
- Another excellent winter storage option for all your non-winter items is climate-controlled storage. Climate control storage units are ideal for storing items that are incredibly vulnerable to moisture and humidity. Specialty items or luxury materials such as leather or silk would greatly benefit from this kind of storage option.
How To Pack Things for Easier Access When the Spring Season Begins
It's one thing to pack, but packing effectively, so unpacking becomes a breeze, is a whole other ball game. While packing items for storage may seem overwhelming, taking the time to pack seasonal items that you will shortly unpack requires innovative packing practices.
You put away many spring items during winter storage. But winter doesn't last forever, and no one wants to rummage through hordes of stuff just to get to what they want. To unpack quickly in the future, you need to pack strategically in the moment. These are the 5 best practices for intelligent packing and easy spring unpacking:
Proper packing first starts with organized packing. Group similar items together, such as incredibly fragile items. Take extra effort in securing fragile items with packing paper or packing peanuts. Additionally, invest in proper storage containers. Cardboard boxes just won't suffice. Invest in sturdy plastic storage containers and storage totes.
Perhaps the most vital part of packing things away is to ensure that items are labeled. The time spent unpacking unmarked storage bins takes hours and maybe even days. Save yourself the guesswork and label every single bin with a permanent marker. Sticky notes may seem like a good option, but they can fall off and get lost even as you transport the items to the storage unit. In this case, Sharpie is your best friend. If you have similar items packed in various containers, take it further, and color code them. Apply any sort of permanent labeling that will make identifying and unpacking easier. Never forget to label delicate items as fragile to avoid damaging these precious items.
It may seem obvious, but a lot of people just haphazardly store their items with little or no thought. In the name of practical storage, you must always aim to stack smaller boxes on top of larger packages. Put the heavier boxes on the floor and lighter parcels on top. When it comes to fragile items, you may be tempted to store them on top, but this isn't prudent as they can easily topple over, fall, and break the contents you swore to keep safe. It is always recommended to store fragile items away from everything else in a separate corner or on a seperate storage shelf. Always leave ample room between your items to foster proper ventilation.
Always prep your storage space by cleaning it even if it is well maintained. It's not a must, but some people layer the self-storage unit floor with a protective covering such as a tarp.
Never fail to take inventory of the items you are storing, so everything is accounted for. Take an inventory of your items when packing them at home into storage containers. When you arrive at the storage facility, take another inventory of your labeled storage containers. Keep your inventory list safe and easily accessible for when it's time to unpack in spring.
Now that you have stored vehicles and securely packed away your items, you're free to enjoy the magic of winter. That is, until it's time to unpack for new beginnings and fun in spring. Store safely, pack smartly and unpack quickly in your very own self storage unit.
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