How to Find Vehicle Storage

Most people need self-storage for the household belongings they don’t have space or utility for—think boxes of kitchenware, furniture, and mattresses. Occasionally, you might even need vehicle storage. Limited garage, driveway, or carport space may be the culprit, but luckily, most top self-storage companies offer vehicle storage for your car, boat, or RV. We’ve taken a look at some common vehicle storage offerings and where to find them.

You’re right to only trust your vehicle with the most reputable companies. To browse your options, check out Move.org’s list of top self-storage companies.

Since you’re renting out a slightly bigger space, vehicle storage will be more expensive than a traditional medium or small storage unit. Most chain storage facilities will accommodate vehicle storage, but call ahead to any specific locations to ensure that it’s available there. On average, vehicle storage costs about $210 per month. Here’s a breakdown of what top self-storage companies charge for monthly vehicle storage:

Most companies that advertise vehicle storage will have areas for cars, trucks, boats, and RVs, but larger vehicles may be subject to outdoor storage. Larger vehicles, like RVs, may increase the price of your monthly payment. Call any of these company locations near you to see what type of storage is available based on your vehicle.

The biggest price-affecting factor for vehicle storage is the type of storage you choose. The more expensive options will be private, climate-controlled units for only your vehicle. It’s a little harder to nail down pricing for climate-controlled vehicle storage, but based on pricing data from Life Storage, iStorage, CubeSmart, and Simply Self Storage, you can expect to pay around $310 each month for climate-controlled vehicle storage.

Cheaper options are more likely to resemble a public, outdoor parking space. Depending on your needs, level of security, and price range, you’ll choose from these common types of vehicle storage:

Uncovered parking involves parking your car on the storage facility lot without protection from the weather. In some cases, the lot is protected by a fence or gate, but check with your location to be sure. This type of storage provides the least protection and is likely an easier target for thieves, but it’s also the cheapest option.

This is another outdoor option if you’re trying to save money, and it comes with the added benefit of coverage from rain and direct sunlight. If you have the option to choose between covered and uncovered parking, choose covered. The few extra dollars will be worth it to protect your vehicle from harsh weather and sun damage.

Indoor vehicle storage isn’t offered everywhere, but it’s definitely worth exploring if it’s an option for you. Not only are weather conditions no longer a threat to your vehicle, but it’s much more secure. Without keys, thieves will have a much harder time making it into the building where your car is stored. Additionally, climate and humidity control options may become available at this level of vehicle storage.

In most cases, indoor private vehicle storage is the most expensive option—but for good reason. At most storage companies, you’ll be able to control temperature and humidity for the unit while getting the highest level of security. In some cases, you can even access livestream video footage of your car when you want to check up on it.

Now that you know what price to expect and what type of vehicle storage you need, here are a few more tips before dropping your car off at the unit.

If you’re planning on a long stay for your vehicle, take it to a mechanic to make sure everything is running properly. Not only will this give you peace of mind that everything’s in working order, but you won’t have the headache of calling a tow truck a few months from now.

If you leave food or any perishables in your car for months, you’re going to be met with a shocking smell on pick-up day. Make sure the inside of your car is free of any of those items, aerosols, or any other heat-sensitive items before you leave it in storage. You should also remove any valuables or documents related to the vehicle.

If the unthinkable happens and your vehicle is damaged or stolen, you’ll want to have pictures for insurance or police purposes. More commonly, scrapes and dents can happen in public vehicle storage areas, and having proof that damage wasn’t there before may help you settle a dispute. If you’re renting a private unit, learn more about the best types of storage locks to use on your unit.

If you’re planning on storing your vehicle for more than a couple of months, a battery maintainer is a must. Older vehicles are more likely to have this problem, but even if your car is off, your battery can still drain over time. You can install a float charger on your own (or at an auto shop) to give your battery a surge of power when it falls below certain levels. This way, you can drive it out of the lot with no issues when your storage unit rental is up.

Storing a vehicle is a little more involved than renting a basic self-storage unit. You can save money on more basic types of outdoor vehicle storage, but if you’re storing long-term, indoor storage is probably your best move. Take the time to prepare your vehicle for storage, and ask your storage unit customer reps any questions about security and exposure before you sign the rental agreement.

If you plan on using vehicle storage for more than a month, purchase a high-quality car cover that won’t melt in extreme heat. Additionally, it’s a good idea to buy a battery maintainer so your car starts when you pick it up.

On average, vehicle storage costs about $210 each month. On average, indoor, climate-controlled vehicle storage is about $100 more, but it’s usually more difficult to find compared to outdoor storage.

It’s not a great idea to leave a car sitting for more than a couple of weeks. Your battery and other components may not work if left for that long. If possible, start your car every few days to make sure everything works.

A 10x10 storage may work for some compact or recreational vehicles, but look for 10x15 or 10x20 sizes for most cars and trucks.

A 10x20 storage unit will fit an SUV and most trucks. Ask your storage company customer representative for more information about what types of vehicles fit in each unit size.

No, you can’t ship cars in PODS or similarly-sized portable storage units. If you need to ship a car, PODS will connect you with their preferred shipping partners. To learn more about moving containers, check out our list of top moving container companies.

• Best Self-Storage Companies
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• Best Interstate Moving Companies
• Best Moving Container Companies
• Best Car Shipping Companies

• What Size Storage Unit Do I Need?
• Do I Need Insurance for My Storage Unit?
• What Should I Know Before Renting a Storage Unit?
• What Is Climate Control?
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