Whether you’re looking for a car storage unit to clear space in your garage, protect your car in winter, or you’re going to be away for an extended period of time, you want to keep your car safe. It’s important to know how to properly store a car to avoid damage.
Can you park a car in a storage unit? Yes, in a nutshell, but only a specific kind of unit can do the job. In this guide, we’ll explore the different types of car storage units, the dimensions needed to store a car, and store any car some best practices.
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Should You Store Your Car?
Before starting car storage, ask yourself: Do I need to store my car? The main reason you store your car is that it’s rarely used. On top of that, it takes up space, and if it sits outside, it slowly wears out. Sound familiar? If so, you might want to consider storage. Storing your car in an off-site car warehouse will definitely free up space in your home. Depending on the facility, it will also keep your car in good condition.
Those who serve in the military, capable firefighters, travel nurses, and those with other jobs that require a few months away from home are another good example where car owners might consider installing storage in their driveway or on-street parking. example of.
Owners of classic cars and sports cars may also consider storing their cars in a storage unit. If you’re a car enthusiast, don’t let your car care expertise stay under the hood. Treat your pride and joy right and store them properly. If you’re not one of the lucky ones with a 16-car garage, your next best option is to store your car in a storage unit.
Why Should You Store My Car In A Storage Unit?
Storage facilities keep your car safe in winter and year-round. Storing your car means it’s protected from outdoor elements like snow, silt, and ice. In addition, it is protected from vandalism as it is locked, alarmed, and monitored by cameras. When your car is quarantined in a warehouse, it means nothing will fall on the car or rub into the car like something in the garage. Plus, with 24-hour access, you can even visit in winter to make sure your car is okay!
What Size Storage Unit Do You Need for a Car?
Before diving into the different car storage units, let’s take a look at the numbers. Basically, if you don’t have enough space, you can’t store the car. With that in mind, you might be thinking, how big of a storage unit do I need to fit a car?
Of course, the answer depends on the type of car you want to store. Hatches require less space than sedans, which require less space than SUVs or trucks. At a minimum, a storage unit needs to be 10 feet x 15 feet to store a car. However, for most cars, 10′ x 20′ is more suitable. Many models require even more space than this, so carefully measure the length and width of your car before purchasing a storage unit.
Wondering if your car will fit in one of the many standard self-storage unit sizes? Use our sizing guide to see what fits a common storage unit and determine what cuts you’ll make right.
What Type of Storage Unit Should You Get for Your Car?
There are several types of car storage, each with its own features and advantages that may make it the right choice for you. Consider these factors to determine suitable storage space when narrowing down your list of candidates.
Only leaving town for a month? You probably don’t need storage. two months? Depending on the season, you might want to think about it. Planning to drive regularly? Don’t store it unless you’re willing to take it around for a spin at any time. Duration is one of the biggest factors to consider when it comes to vehicle storage, so make sure you have a schedule in place before booking.
Does your car need to be covered? Maybe it’s an antique collectible, or maybe you live in one of the worst winters. If these apply to you, you’ll want to invest in indoor car storage. This is by far the most expensive type of storage, so don’t buy it unless you really need it. In fact, most cars are fine in open or covered parking lots. Just make sure to book a storage facility with good infrastructure (walls, fences, gates, etc.).
When it comes to vehicle storage, size matters. A storage space that is too small will be difficult to navigate, if not impossible to use fully. A storage space that is too large will cost you more. Use the guide below to find the sweet spot for sizing.
7 Steps To Safely Store Your Car In Self-Storage
1. New car: leave the battery, old car: remove the battery
For older cars that don’t have an engine computer, it’s best to completely disconnect and remove the battery. However, if you have a newer vehicle with an engine computer, you should have a smart charger in it, since it requires a battery.
2. Use some elbow grease
Carefully remove road grit and dirt that has accumulated in the nooks and crannies of the fender well. If left unchecked, rust will inevitably occur. Thoroughly wash the car, including the underside of the car. Dry and wax the car completely if you wish.
3. Robbed
If the car will be driven in winter, jack up the car and place the jack under the rear axle and front suspension. With the tires off the ground, they don’t have flat spots that cause unpleasant vibrations when the car returns to the road.
4. Clean the wiper blades
Remove the wiper blades and store them in the car. Be sure to wash them before storing them. They tend to stick to glass, and if left on long enough, the edge of the blade will deform due to one-way compression.
5. Make sure the exhaust pipe is not a welcome pad
Plug the tailpipe with a rag or rubber ball and tape it in place. It prevents rats from nesting in the exhaust, or worse, in the engine.
6. Stabilized fuel
It can be difficult to completely drain all the gasoline (you want to do this because gasoline oxidizes and forms deposits over time), so it is recommended to use a fuel stabilizer instead.
7. Excellent interior cleaning
Before storing the vehicle, carefully clean the interior of the vehicle to reduce any odors and remove any food particles. Vacuum the carpet, wipe the dashboard, and clean every nook and cranny. It is also recommended to remove most items from the car, including any snacks stored in the trunk or glove box. Doing this ensures that rats and other critters are less likely to sneak in!
Storage Tips In Self-Storage
Once you know where to store your car, it’s time to prepare it for storage. Here are 5 tips to ensure successful vehicle storage from start to finish.
- Clean before storing. This step seems a little strange. If you’re just going to store the car, why wash it? You’re not in town for a night out. The reason is as follows. When you put your car in storage, any dust, grime, or residue that builds up on the top of the car can wear away the paint and metal on the car’s exterior. Don’t let this happen. Always wash thoroughly before storing. The same goes for the interior!
- Store the vehicle covered. As we mentioned above, you don’t want dust or dirt to settle on your car while it’s being stored. However, once you throw it away, you’re not going to be cleaning it every other week. To keep your car clean, no matter how long it’s been in the warehouse, invest in a high-quality car cover. Don’t have this room in your budget? A few sheets in your home can do just fine.
- Do not engage the parking brake. You may be taught to use the parking brake every time you park, but when storing your vehicle for extended periods of time, you should do the exact opposite. If you use the parking brake during storage, there is a risk of damage to the brake pads and discs. If the pads and discs are in contact for a long time, they may fuse together. This can cause you a lot of trouble, major safety issues when you drive again, and a lot of money being flushed down the drain to fix your brake rotors and pads. To keep the car stable in storage, use tire chocks. They fit your car better.
- Register your vehicle and record the title. There’s nothing worse than the decision to sell a car because you don’t have a title, so you can’t legally sell it. Keep your title in a safe place where it won’t be stolen, torn, or forgotten. Also, make sure to register the vehicle while it is in storage. Even if you’re considering writing off your car (because you’re not using it fully), you can’t legally do so. In order to store the vehicle in the storage unit, the vehicle must be registered in your name.
- Take your car out for a spin every once in a while. You don’t need to drive 10 miles (or even a mile!) but you do need to start it often to make sure the battery stays in good shape. When you start your car, you shouldn’t let it idle in storage, as this could lead to a life-threatening build-up of carbon monoxide. If you don’t want to drive, at least drive outside for a few minutes to recharge the battery. There’s nothing worse than being finally ready to take your car out of the warehouse, only to fail to start because the battery is dead.
Outdoor Car Storage Choices
The most popular kind of car storage unit isn’t actually storage unit at all. These are outdoor areas. Self-storage car parking, which is a step up from curbside parking and is located inside a storage facility, offers car owners priceless peace of mind that they can’t get anywhere else. The size of outdoor parking spaces is another benefit. These open spaces are easily sized for all kinds of vehicles because they lack walls and doors. Some facilities even have spaces for RVs and motorhomes, which are options that aren’t always available indoors. There are primarily two types of parking when it comes to outdoor car storage: uncovered and covered parking.
Uncovered parking is the most flexible and affordable type of car storage. Uncovered parking spaces are just parking spaces that are part of a storage facility. They can be reserved for relatively cheap rates because they practically don’t cost anything to build or maintain. Your costs will increase with the size of the space. As was already mentioned, these spaces can grow quite large, making them a great option for RV owners or car collectors who may need a larger space (or several) so that other cars don’t touch their own.
Covered parking is a step up from uncovered parking in terms of shelter for cars. Similar to carports in private driveways, covered parking spaces have roofs for their vehicles. These roofs are ideal for regions that experience a lot of rain, snow, or direct sunlight. Check that the roof is tall enough to fit your vehicle before making a covered parking investment. If not, there’s no way you’ll fit at all.
Last Words
Now that you know the ins and outs of vehicle storage, it’s time to find a place to store your rides.
Read More: What to do when car is sliding on ice?
