Warm weather, awesome scenery and tons of RV park choices. Seriously, what’s not to love about being a snowbird in Tucson? Whether you’re a part time traveler or your big rig puts you on the road 365 days a year, chances are you’re probably going to need RV storage at some point (or boat storage, but with Tucson being kind of in the middle of a great big desert, we think it’s safe to assume that this is less likely). Thanks to the the fact that Tucson is wildly popular amongst retirees and anyone else who just happens to prefer saguaros, sunsets and perfect pool days over harsh winter climates, RV storage facilities are almost as plentiful as folks with RVs. But before you start searching for the perfect RV storage facility in Tucson, read up on what you should be looking for in the first place.
RV Specific Storage
Ask most storage facilities about where you can park your fifth wheel for the winter and they’ll point you in the direction of the perimeter of their property. While the option of storing your RV in a space that’s uncovered and not clearly marked might not sound appealing, it’s the cheapest option and it’s still safer than parking it on the street in front of your house (if you live in a neighborhood like Catalina Foothills, your HOA might not love this). Still, we know how much you adore your RV, so we totally understand if you want a storage facility with more. Fortunately, in Tucson, there are facilities that cater to RV storage (trust us when we say that this is rare). One such example is
National RV Central. They offer climate-controlled, indoor storage for your RV along with 24 hour surveillance cameras, an RV wash station, propane, detailing, individual dorm alarms and even valet service. Their friendly staff is available to help you figure out which size unit is best for you and they offer flexible leases because when you’re an RV owner with that wanderlust spirit, plans are always subject to change. Best of all? Their rates are affordable when you consider the scope of their services. If the idea of storing your RV inspires images of a posh hotel for your motorhome, full service storage facilities are well worth the extra cash.
Tucson Weather and RV Storage
With so much sun and summer heat in Tucson, it’s easy to forget how hard it can rain. You want to consider both of these factors when it comes to choosing any kind of storage, but this is especially important when it comes to choosing storage for something as expensive as your RV. Consider our tips on
RV winterization. They’re actually good things to keep in mind even if you’re living in a place like Tucson where winters aren’t really that cold. To avoid the hot sun and occasional rainstorms from wreaking havoc on your RV, you’ll be following similar principles. Clean the inside of your RV out thoroughly before storing it. Make sure there aren’t any places where moisture (i.e. the rain) can get in. You can place open containers of baking powder around your RV’s interior to help absorb this. As far as sun goes, finding indoor or at least covered storage is your best bet, but if you can’t do that, make sure you take special care to cover windows in order to prevent the sun’s rays from damaging the interior of your RV. And most importantly, take precautions against Tucson’s
flash floods by making sure you’re not storing your RV near an area that’s especially susceptible to flooding like a dry creek bed or the mouth of a canyon. Ask your facility manager about whether or not floods have affected the property in the past. And of course, don’t forget how much of a lifesaver
storage insurance can be. Just be sure to read your policy carefully and make sure natural disasters are covered.
Security and RV Storage
Tucson is considered “up and coming,” which means that it’s getting trendier by the day (just look at 4th Avenue if you need an example), but it’s still got some areas that are a little bit questionable when it comes to safety. The crime rate is about 10%, which is above the national average of 4.7%. Most of these crimes are nonviolent, which is good news for your personal safety but potentially bad news for the safety of your belongings. Consider the importance of
security when choosing a place to park your RV when you’re not using it. A great facility should be more than gated; it should be truly gated. This means that gates aren’t left open and entry codes are changed often enough to keep old tenants (or anyone else with the code) from entering. The facility should also have security cameras and a staff that walks the property often. Extra things to look for include actually security officers and individual alarms on units, though these amenities are typically less common. Bottom line? Trust your gut when determining whether or not a storage facility feels safe enough for your RV. If it doesn’t feel right, look elsewhere.
