How To Prepare Your Car or Boat for Long-Term Storage
During the winter months, your vehicle can benefit from a protective and designated space in self storage. Although it’s tempting to park your vehicle and go, the best results come from taking proper precautions and preparing for months of inactivity. Join our team at Right Move Storage as we reveal how to store a vehicle long-term.
1. Meet Your Vehicle Storage Requirements
To store a vehicle, you’ll need to verify your ride meets all their requirements. These requirements often include proof of insurance, a valid driver’s license, and registration. Be sure to maintain your car insurance while your vehicle is in self storage. For added protection of your vehicle during storage, consider getting tenant insurance.
2. Clean Your Vehicle Inside and Out
Next on your vehicle storage preparation checklist should be to give your vehicle a deep clean. Pick up any trash left inside and wipe down all mats and surfaces like seats and cushions.
Once the inside is done, wash it and apply a coat of wax to protect the vehicle’s paint.
3. Top Off Fluids
A good next step in your vehicle preparation process is to top off all fluids in your car. Before your ride goes into storage, change the oil and make sure the coolant system is filled with antifreeze to prevent freezing or corrosion. You’ll also need to fill your gas tank to prevent moisture from forming inside.
4. Inflate Your Tires
When checking your vehicle in preparation for long-term storage, don’t forget about the tires. Inflate your tires before you store them to keep them in good condition and prevent flats. Most cars require a PSI (pounds per square inch) between 30 and 35.
5. Battery Maintenance
A vehicle’s battery will drain during long periods of inactivity. To avoid your car not starting when you retrieve it from storage, disconnect the battery before placing it in storage. As an alternative to disconnecting, you can use a battery maintainer to prevent your battery from draining while avoiding overcharging.
6. Utilize Covering
An affordable way to get an additional shield is to use a quality car or boat cover. These extra layers help keep dust, moisture, and debris away during long-term storage. If you plan to use an indoor car storage space, use a more breathable cover.
7. Find the Right Type of Car Storage Units
As the time comes to place your car or boat in storage, you’ll need to find the right vehicle storage space. To do so, consider your storage needs and the amount of space and protection you desire. Don’t forget to consider what your month-to-month budget is and how much you’re willing to spend. Here are some options to choose from:
Outdoor Car Storage
If you need to lean toward affordability but still need car storage, consider getting an outdoor vehicle parking space. Coming in several sizes, you can find a parking space that’s suitable for a variety of vehicles, including commercial vehicles, RVs, and personal vans.
Indoor Car Storage
Use indoor car storage to help keep your vehicle in the most secure place possible. The large interior building that houses these spaces adds an extra layer of security between your vehicle and the outside world.
Boat Storage Units
Vehicle storage is not limited to land vehicles. There are also numerous boat storage solutions to help you keep your watercraft secure during the offseason. Some of the available boat parking solutions include:
- Outdoor boat storage. The most affordable spaces to get your boat in a secure place.
- Covered boat storage. A good in-between that keeps your boat outside while an overhead roof protects it from rain and snow.
- Indoor boat storage. The most expensive yet protective form of boat storage available, comparable to a garage.
Find Premier Car and Boat Storage Facilities at Right Move Storage
Right Move Storage is your go-to choice for all your vehicle storage needs. Several of our state-of-the-art storage facilities across the country offer a range of vehicle parking sizes, making it easy to keep your ride in a secure, reliable place. With the right preparation and protection, you can rest easy knowing your vehicle is best kept with us.
Reach out to our team or find your nearest Right Move Storage location online to kick off your vehicle storage journey today!