Which storage would you choose? Underground or outside

marcusfan · 08-15-2012, 08:09 PM

Hi folks. I have a question about storage. I can store my new TT underground in the caves for about $88 a month or outside in a storage lot for about $50 a month.

The benefit to the caves besides eliminating damage from the sun is that no winterizing is required. Its about 65 degrees year round. There is a security guard station that checks all vehicles coming into the area. You drop off the trailer inside the gate and they use a forklift (I guess) to move the trailer into the caves. So, its kinda like valet parking.

With the outside storage, its one of those places that has storage buildings like you see on Storage Wars. It's fenced in but no other security.

I live in Missouri so definitely lots of snow, ice, rain and hail. And usually several days of sub-zero temperatures in the average winter.

Which one would you choose? Thanks for the input.

funkyJunk · 08-15-2012, 08:12 PM

Anything covered. It's worth the extra $38 a month. Sun does more damage to your RV than anything else. I have kept mine under cover since day one (except camping days) and wouldn't have it any other way.

OldCoot · 08-15-2012, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marcusfan

Hi folks. I have a question about storage. I can store my new TT underground in the caves for about $88 a month or outside in a storage lot for about $50 a month.

The benefit to the caves besides eliminating damage from the sun is that no winterizing is required. Its about 65 degrees year round. There is a security guard station that checks all vehicles coming into the area. You drop off the trailer inside the gate and they use a forklift (I guess) to move the trailer into the caves. So, its kinda like valet parking.

With the outside storage, its one of those places that has storage buildings like you see on Storage Wars. It's fenced in but no other security.

I live in Missouri so definitely lots of snow, ice, rain and hail. And usually several days of sub-zero temperatures in the average winter.

Which one would you choose? Thanks for the input.

I would go for the caves for the extra charge and security.

Road-King · 08-15-2012, 08:16 PM

Can you get access to it 24/7 in the cave? Do they need to pull it up from the deep for you anytime you need access?
$88 for in-door climate control is very cheep IMO. Go with the Cave.

Wiscampsin · 08-15-2012, 08:16 PM

One thing you might want to check out is how damp the cave is. Dampness can lead to a possible musty smell.

marcusfan · 08-15-2012, 08:21 PM

I can get access to the caves 24/7 but only with 24 hours advance notice or during normal business hours with no notice required. I cannot access the TT without an escort from company or they will pull it out, I can access it and then they will put it back. I would empty it of anything of value before storing it like tv's, tools, etc.

I'm not sure how much moisture there is in the caves. I've been in there but it was several years ago. There was no noticeable moisture on the floors or walls. That's something to think about for sure.

blw2 · 08-15-2012, 08:25 PM

Can you do both? Caves in the off season and outdoor when your use is high?

Night Stone · 08-15-2012, 08:28 PM

You can always find out if other RV owners who already have one inside, find out what their opinion, whether there positives or negatives on storing it there.

marcusfan · 08-15-2012, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blw2

Can you do both? Caves in the off season and outdoor when your use is high?

Thats kind of what I have been doing. Since I got it about 4-6 weeks ago, I've had it in my driveway. However, my HOA doesn't allow it. No complaints from any neighbors so far but you never know when that will happen. I figured if I stored it at least for the winter when I won't be using it, they might be more understanding when summer rolls around. That and I would like to be able to use my garage this winter when it snows.

I'm thinking though that it might be nice to just have it in the caves year around. That way less sun damage and weather to battle.

Road-King · 08-15-2012, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marcusfan

I can get access to the caves 24/7 but only with 24 hours advance notice or during normal business hours with no notice required. I cannot access the TT without an escort from company or they will pull it out, I can access it and then they will put it back.

I could live with that. No question - Cave

I'm paying $40 per month outside, 24/7 access, 10' chain link and cameras. I could go to a covered spot for $110 (when one comes open). This is at the dealer I bought it from and it's the best deal I could find in town.

marcusfan · 08-15-2012, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Road-King

I could live with that. No question - Cave

I'm paying $40 per month outside, 24/7 access, 10' chain link and cameras. I could go to a covered spot for $110 (when one comes open). This is at the dealer I bought it from and it's the best deal I could find in town.

So its covered, but still outdoors? It sounds like the caves is a no brainer then. When I first talked to them, I thought that was a little expensive but the thought of not having to winterize and then de-winterize was pretty appealing. I thought that I would make sure everything is caulked and checked before I put it in storage to hibernate and then do the same thing when I get it out in the spring before taking it out the first time.

I bought this TT brand new and would like to keep it looking that way. I plan to have it until it dies a long, long time from now so keeping it out of the sun sounds like the smart thing to do. Thanks for all the opinions. It is my first TT so I thought I would run it by those of you more experienced than I.

**Terier** · 08-15-2012, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marcusfan

So its covered, but still outdoors? It sounds like the caves is a no brainer then. When I first talked to them, I thought that was a little expensive but the thought of not having to winterize and then de-winterize was pretty appealing. I thought that I would make sure everything is caulked and checked before I put it in storage to hibernate and then do the same thing when I get it out in the spring before taking it out the first time.

I bought this TT brand new and would like to keep it looking that way. I plan to have it until it dies a long, long time from now so keeping it out of the sun sounds like the smart thing to do. Thanks for all the opinions. It is my first TT so I thought I would run it by those of you more experienced than I.

Price can vary from area to area. Restricted hours are a bit more challenging to deal with but usually work out in the end. I agree with the cave choice but check into what are the pros & cons of either choice.

RANGERBOB · 08-15-2012, 10:12 PM

This isn't the CAVE-INN is it?

4bnabird · 08-15-2012, 10:44 PM

The caves would be my choice for several reasons. Keeping it out of the weather is the number one. Coming from Missouri myself I know how hard the winters and summers can be. The other would be the security. Although a little bit of a hassle to access it, (and if you are taking out the valuable while storing) it would give me a much better piece of mind. Several years ago we kept ours at a storage lot that was fenced, "security cameras" and only access was those with keys. We were told during the winter is was double locked and the only way to access anything inside was to have the owner present to unlock the other set of locks. Well long story short, over the Christmas holiday some one broke into our camper and a couple others. Funny thing is that they were all new storage customers just like us. How do I know? Well my brother was storing his camper there at the same time and had been using them for several years. First year he used it his camper was broke into also. Of course coincidently the cameras weren't working, needless to say our camper never spent another night there. Outside storage places are way more visible. Now we store ours during the winter months inside at a relatives place. During the summer it sits at our house. If we ever had to choose to go to another public storage unit I would rather it sit our house out in the weather. Sounds like the caves are much more secure plus you get the added bonus of it being out of the weather.

Witch Doctor · 08-16-2012, 03:42 AM

I would opt for the cave, how many people can say they store their RV in a cave? That's a great idea.

funkyJunk · 08-16-2012, 05:28 AM

I want to see pictures of the caves that are big enough to store RV's.

MilCop4523 · 08-16-2012, 06:16 AM

Wow - I wonder what the million or so other RV'ers do in the winter between Northern US, all of Canada and parts of Europe which experience snow and well below freezing temps for 5 months of the year?
I'd be interested if the Caves are humidity controlled or not first and foremost.
Vandalism - thats why we pay insurance isn't it?
I remember friends having a TT stored in an area where a lot of security was and directly under the guards presence a fellow TT'er switched Propane tanks, opened hatches looking for items etc.

cstover · 08-16-2012, 06:18 AM

I wish I could find storage for that cheap. Here outside storage runs $75 to $250 a month. I am storing it almost an hour away and pay $5 in tolls to just see it. I miss TN $35 and 5 mins away.

great white · 08-16-2012, 07:05 AM

Sounds like a deal as long as these caves are not really humid and they're responsible for any damage "forklifting" may cause (that's a new one on me, how do you forklift a 35 foot trailer?).

Out of the sun and weather, warm and cozy, awesome security, and "delivery service".

Great price too....

Len & Cheri · 08-16-2012, 07:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by great white

Sounds like a deal as long as these caves are not really humid and they're responsible for any damage "forklifting" may cause (that's a new one on me, how do you forklift a 35 foot trailer?).

Out of the sun and weather, warm and cozy, awesome security, and "delivery service".

Great price too....

Lots of RV places use a forklift. They just weld a ball onto one of the forks. It works really well since a forklift has such a sharp turning radius.

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