Years ago, storage units were for things you didn’t need anymore. A lot of them served as a catch-all for extra furniture, seasonal recreation vehicles, and family heirlooms.

Sure, those things are still inside a lot of storage units today, but people are using them for a lot more than that. Small businesses use storage units for inventory management, college students use them while they are in school, and people use storage units so they can live in smaller downtown apartments where they can have access to more restaurants and other city-living amenities.

These days, you’ve got multi-floor storage facilities, climate-controlled storage units, and drive-up units. But what about shipping containers?

We’ve seen shipping containers turned into offices, restaurants, and even tiny houses. Are they good for storage?

Let’s take a look at how people are using shipping containers as a safe, durable long-term storage solution.

Shipping Containers for Emergency Preparedness

If there’s anything the past year has taught us, it is that we often don’t see what’s coming our way. Life has looked and felt a lot different because of the pandemic, even though things are slowly improving.

Too many of us took food storage and basic supplies for granted. We always simply assumed that the stores would be open. We know, now, that sometimes stores close and basic supplies are hard to find.

People who are passionate about emergency preparedness have used shipping containers for storage for decades. Some of them have simple designs, but others are quite complex with electricity, climate control, and some integrated technology features.

If you’re thinking of getting into emergency preparedness, a shipping container is a good option.

Using a Shipping Container for a Garage

If you’re on a property with a good-sized yard, a shipping container can serve as a secondary garage for all of the toys and equipment that won’t fit in your primary one. A lot of people use shipping containers to keep dirt bikes, lawnmowers, kids’ bikes, and other toys. You can lock them up when you’re not using them and they’ll stay safe no matter what the weather is like outside.

If your property is big enough to farm on, it’s a perfect spot to keep gardening tools, and if you’ve got farm animals, it’s ideal to keep your feed and other supplies cool and dry.

One of the best parts of using a shipping container for storage is that, if you need to, you can move it. You can place it somewhere, and, if you find that it doesn’t suit your needs where you put it originally, you can move it without too much trouble.

Homebrewing with a Shipping Container Storage Unit

Are you an aspiring homebrewer? Over the past decade, there has been an explosion in the U.S. in craft breweries. These often start as small operations in garages that catch on and grow into great businesses.

These days, it’s easier than ever to start brewing beer or making wine on your own. They even sell beer-making kits online that can be delivered to your home in a matter of days.

If you don’t have the extra space to brew at home, and you don’t want to spend the money on a workshop space that’s a drive away, then using a shipping container is a good bet. There’s enough space to move around in and you can keep all of your supplies close by.

Doing this type of work in a storage container will require some form of insulation, but that can be done easily by a carpenter or as a weekend DIY project.

Storage Containers for Home Businesses

Are you an accountant that works at home? Do you build artisan pieces that are for sale? All across the country, small businesses use shipping containers for offices, offsite storage, and more.

If you’ve got paperwork that you need to keep in boxes, you can pile them inside the shipping container, and a 40ft container has got more than enough room to put some chairs or a work table inside.

With the many custom options available with shipping containers, you can design one to fit your business needs and open up capacity without having to rent an office space.

Things You Should Know About Shipping Container Storage

We know they’re a good way to expand the space you’ve got without building an extra wing on the house. But what about getting them set up and keeping them in good condition?

Here are some things you should know before you start looking for a shipping container.

Make Sure it’s Legal

Some local governments will have something to say about you placing an empty shipping container in your backyard, especially if there are neighbors nearby.

Call first to make sure it’s ok and whether you need any permits before the shipping container is delivered. You don’t want to pay for one and get it installed and then find out it’s not allowed.

It May Need a Foundation

It’s not a great idea to just plop the shipping container down on the soil in the backyard. It will lead to faster corrosion of the metal and it could damage your property. A better idea is to build out a foundation to place it on. You can build a foundation relatively quickly and affordably without too much trouble by building a concrete slab or using things like railroad ties to support its weight.

Ventilation is a Must

No matter what you’re storing in the shipping container, you’ll likely want ventilation. If you live somewhere where there is a large variance in temperatures, condensation builds up easily, and when things get wet they get messy.

A lot of shipping container sellers can install fixed vents or simple HVAC systems before purchase, and, if you’re willing, they’re not too difficult to install DIY.

Getting Rid of the Smell

A shipping container probably isn’t coming to you in brand new condition. That would cost a lot more, and those usually go to shipping companies. When yours comes, it’s going to smell like whatever was inside of it while it was in use.

Get rid of the odor by putting coffee grounds or instant coffee in open containers. Shut the doors and let the coffee do the work for a few days. When you open the door, it will smell much better.

Shipping Containers Aren’t Always Cheap

Some people feel that shipping containers come at an affordable price because they’ve been discarded by companies that no longer need them. That may have been true long ago, but there is a good deal of demand for them today. People are using shipping containers in unique architectural designs and for a multitude of purposes.

The cost of a shipping container is going to be more than many other shed or garage options. You can build a wooden shed for cheaper, but they won’t offer the same security and durability that a metal shipping container will.

You Can Stack Them

Of course, one of the benefits of shipping containers is that you can stack them on top of each other. If you need ever-growing storage space, then this will fit the bill nicely.

These are just some of the things you’ll need to know before buying a shipping container. They’re a terrific multi-use storage item and will stand the test of time.

Several companies sell shipping containers that can also give you good advice about what you need to know and what type of maintenance will keep your container in the best condition for as long as possible. Done right, these can be excellent storage solutions with the durability and security you need.

If you need space to store your shipping containers in the greater Santa Clarita Valley, we may have a space for you. Here at Agua Dulce Storage, we got you covered! We offer a wide selection of parking units to accommodate your every need. To learn more about our storage facility, please check out our website at https://aguadulcestorage.com/.

RV rentals have been through the roof for months running as people get out and explore what the country has to offer.

On the coasts, there are amazing beaches with small towns where you can camp right next to the water. In between, you’ve got incredible national parks full of mountains, deserts, plains, and all sorts of wildlife.

There’s a lot to see, and hitting the road is the best way to do it. 

One of the best ways to go on a road trip is by hooking up a travel trailer to your car or truck. With the travel trailer, you get extra flexibility because, after you’ve parked at your camp for the night, you can unhook and take your car into town to stock up on supplies or grab a quick bite to eat.

Depending on how long you’re going, managing storage inside your travel trailer can be a challenge. You’ve got to manage food, clothing, toiletries, and other supplies. While every travel trailer has dedicated storage areas, there are things you can do to get the most out of what can be a tight space.

Here are 11 tips for storing items inside your travel trailer.

1. Make a List Before You Start Shopping

Making a list of what you need to bring will help you make sure you put everything in the trailer. It will also likely save you money because there will be fewer last-second trips to the grocery store to buy what you need at full price.

Keeping a list will help you curate what must go, what you want to go, and what probably doesn’t need to go. Packing is more effective when you know how much stuff you’re dealing with.

2. Make Your Packing List Trip-Specific

Don’t pack beach chairs if you’re going hiking in a national park. Too many road trippers worry about missing something, so they bring everything. Remember, you can always stop and buy something that you forget. Picking something up at the store is often worth the price, especially if it frees up more space while you’re on the road.

3. Invest in Some Storage Containers

A lot of modern travel trailers have storage bins built-in, but probably not as many as you need. You can pack more efficiently and fit more stuff if you buy some storage containers and put them in closets, under seats, and other spots where there is space. You can find storage options that are affordable online and getting some to your trailer’s specific measurements shouldn’t be too difficult.

4. Hanging Baskets Work Well on the Road

If you’re a seasoned trailer driver or RVer, then you know how much stuff shifts as you drive. Food falls all over the place, and liquids spill.

Hanging baskets are a terrific solution for things like apples, oranges, and other snacks. They can swing back and forth harmlessly while you’re driving, and they will provide extra storage space when you’re stopped and building out camp.

5. Install Hooks Outside Your Trailer

If you’re traveling with kids, then you’re likely picking up towels off the ground, removing wet towels from couches, and screaming at kids to keep track of their towels. Instead of all that hassle, you can install hooks that will stick to the side of your trailer and stay there. They’re perfect for hanging those towels, beach bags, cooking utensils, and whatever else can go on a hook.

6. Hanging Storage Bins

While you’re at it, get some hooks that you can install on the inside of your trailer as well. Then, you can use the hooks for hanging storage bins.

Families love having little storage bins hanging around the trailer. You can put them at the perfect height for little ones to put toys, socks, and even shoes to keep your trailer floor from catching all of the dirt and dust from outside.

Put some in the bathroom, if you’ve got one, where you can hang hairbrushes, nail clippers, and whatever else you need.

7. Buy Camping Gear When Possible

It won’t always make sense to buy the camping version of a stove or a coffee maker. However, if you’re on the road a lot and operating out of your camping trailer a great deal, then it’s usually worth the payoff. Camping companies are great at making smaller versions of the things we have at home.

When you buy the camping version, you’re probably going to save a lot of space in your trailer storage. Whether you pick something up and if it’s worth the cost will, again, typically depend on how much you use your trailer.

8. Use Stackable Cookware

Too many trailer kitchens involve a mixture of stuff that’s leftover as you upgrade in your home kitchen. You’ve got old pots and pans that don’t match clunking around inside drawers as you drive.

However, investing in stackable cookware will save a ton of room and leave you more storage options in your kitchen. You can get a set that’s designed for trailers for a good price and it will fit neatly inside your cabinet or drawer.

9. Collapsable Items Will Save You Space

Nowadays, you can buy collapsing chairs, buckets, cups, and a host of other gear that you will want with you on the road. Before your next road trip, hop online and do some research about what sort of items you can buy that now come with a collapsing option. You don’t need to have full-sized cups or buckets anymore. Instead, you put them in drawers and other tight spaces and stretch them out when you need to use them.

10. Roll Your Clothes

Just like any frequent flier knows, rolling clothes saves space in a suitcase, and it will save you room in your travel trailer. Rather than store clothing items in your trailer as you would on your shelves at home, try rolling them next time. You’ll be able to fit more things inside, and the drawers will stay neat because it will be easy to grab what you need instead of digging through stacks of shirts.

New road trippers often make the mistake of packing more clothing than they need. You don’t need to bring that much. Most of the campsites you’ll visit will have on-site laundry, and you can do it after dinner while the kids run around playing with other children in the park.

11. Mark Dedicated Storage Locations

There aren’t many rules about where exactly something should go, but having dedicated spaces will fight off clutter and make finding things easier. You can even label certain areas inside your travel trailer to let everyone know where things belong. As a result, you will know where the tools are if you get a flat, and everyone will know where to go when they need a yummy treat.

These are just some of the storage tips you can use to make your next travel trailer trip a success. With the right packing and storage strategy, you will enjoy your time on the road more, and you’ll feel more comfortable taking longer trips and staying out for weeks at a time.

If you’re looking for an RV Storage Facility to securely store your campers or fifth wheelers, Agua Dulce Storage has got you covered! Here at Agua Dulce Storage, we offer a wide selection of parking units to accommodate your every need. To learn more about our storage facility, please check out our website at https://aguadulcestorage.com/.

RV travel is wonderful in many ways: the freedom of the road, getting out in the great outdoors, and enjoying beautiful scenery.

Owning an RV does sound appealing, going on road trips and adventures, camping out, living in nature, and experiencing these memorable moments with your loved ones. 

But the question is, should you buy an RV or not?

There are a lot of advantages and disadvantages of owning an RV, and whether or not you buy an RV really comes down to your budget, lifestyle, and the ways you like to recreate.

Here, we’ve gathered a list to help you decide if buying an RV is the right choice for you. 

Advantages of Owning an RV 

1. RV Travel Offers Convenience and Flexibility 

An RV offers you comfort and flexibility during your travels. It gives you the ability to travel with the comforts of having your own home on wheels. 

You never have to worry about finding a decent hotel room or paying for their expensive room rates. You can be spontaneous on your trips, you’re free to go whenever you want.

If the weather is bad, it’s easy to just cancel your trip. RV travel is also a convenient way of traveling where you can carry everything you need with you. Board games, video games, a cabinet full of snacks; you can bring the comforts of your home anywhere you go.

2. RV Travel is Versatile and Diverse 

There are lots of different ways and styles for RV traveling and camping. Whether you’re into camping adventurously and being off grid, to camping in a more luxurious area, there’s always something for your needs. You can decide to camp at a fancy and exclusive resort-style RV park or go to a remote campsite, the choice is yours to take.

Diversify your travel experience by trying out all these different areas and ways that you can camp with your RV. 

Enjoy the outdoors and sleep comfortably surrounded by nature. The most important thing is that you’ll be connected with nature and that you will have endless bonding moments with your family and friends. 

3. Savings on Travel and Vacations With an RV 

Having an RV, you’re in control of your journey. You can go on a road trip, take a vacation and travel whenever you want. You don’t have to pay for airfare or pricey hotel rooms. 

You don’t have to always eat out in restaurants, either. You can just prepare and cook your own food and eat out whenever you want. 

According to the RV Industry Association, a recent study found that two people traveling in an RV can save up to 53% over a traditional vacation with hotel stay, while a family of four could save as much as 64%.

Although total savings depends on factors like the type and size of RV and type of vacation, a hotel advisory group study backs this up with their findings that RV vacations generally cost much less than other modes of vacation travel – including the cost of fuel and the costs associated with RV ownership.

4. The RV Community is Helpful and Connected 

The RVing community is friendly, helpful, and connected. RV travel also is a great way to meet new friends in campgrounds. 

Numerous campers have created tutorials and tips on YouTube, blogs and forums to help out newbies with anything related to RV camping and travel. So if you need a helping hand and any advice regarding your RV, there will surely be tons of people and online resources you can go to for help. 

5. You Can Rent Out Your RV 

If you’re not RVing full-time and need to take a break, you can choose to rent out your RV. This is also a great alternative when you don’t have any plans to use your RV in the near future. Instead of storing it, you can rent it out to your friends or other people. You’ll be saving money for RV storage and also get extra money from renting out your RV. 

Disadvantages of Buying an RV 

1. RV Costs Can Be Pricey 

RVs are not cheap and depending on the size, shape and style, RV prices are not exactly minimal. You have to take into consideration other expenses when traveling with an RV such as the campground accommodation fees and gas. 

Also, you’ll to set a budget for regular maintenance fees as well as repairs that would be needed during your travels in the future.

2. RVs Require Regular Maintenance 

The regular maintenance of an RV can be costly and time-consuming. When you use your RV and travel for miles, breakdowns can and will occur. RVs are prone to water leakage that damages your RV and it is one of the most expensive RV repairs. 

Inspection of doors, windows, and hatches is essential every spring and fall. Regular maintenance includes the brakes, bushings, bearings, sealant work, propane gas test and any other repairs it may need. So it’s important to set a regular preventive maintenance schedule for your RV and find a trusted mechanic for any repairs.  

3. RVs Depreciate Fast 

When buying a brand new RV, they depreciate fast. The moment you drive your brand new RV off the lot, it loses about 25% of its value.

If you’re on a tight budget, consider buying a second-hand RV. Look for a used RV that is well maintained, in good repair and free of water damage. 

For more tips about buying a used RV, check out this article.

4. You’ll Need Storage Space for Your RV 

If you’re planning to travel in your RV full-time, you don’t have to worry about RV storage. But for anyone who wishes to use their RV for vacation purposes, you’ll have to take into account where you’ll be storing your RV. 

RV storage may be an expensive logistical problem if you do not have a space at home. RV is susceptible to dirt, dust and damage when not in use so it is imperative to store your RV in a safe environment such as a good storage facility and do pre-storage preparations like cleaning and looking for a proper cover for your RV. 

Considerations When Buying an RV 

If you do decide to buy an RV, there are a lot of factors and considerations you have to take in mind before purchasing your very own RV. You need to know the type of RV that would suit your budget and lifestyle. 

Do you have enough budget to purchase a brand new RV or do you have a limited budget? If your budget is limited, consider buying your RV second hand. 

How are you planning to use your RV? Would you be using it for full-time travel, weekend RV trips or will you be frequenting national parks?

There are different RVs for different uses so be sure to assess your lifestyle and trips that you will be taking before deciding what type of RV to buy. 

If you’re planning on taking a vacation every summer, look for an RV with air conditioning so you can relax comfortably indoors when you’re out traveling in the summer. If you like to travel during the winter months, you would want an RV which has a good heating system. 

Things to Do before Buying an RV

When you have decided to purchase an RV and have assessed your budget and lifestyle, it is time for these next steps on your way to getting your very own RV. 

Do Your Research 

Do your research and take your time when buying an RV. Never buy on impulse and make sure to check every aspect of an RV before purchasing.

Research the different brands and models that would fit in your budget and lifestyle. Visit dealerships and familiarize yourself with RVs. Do a test drive of the RV you want to purchase.

It’s important to buy an RV that will best suit your needs. 

Create a Checklist 

With so many RV options, it will be easier to narrow choices down by making a checklist of the things you want in an RV.

Think of the kind of amenities you would want and need on your trips. If you’re into making your own food and cooking in, an RV with a full kitchen with a built-in oven or stove would suit you.

Many RV’s can also be upgraded and enhanced, so don’t be afraid to list any features that you want over time but might not be necessary right away. 

Connect with the RV Community

The RV community is tight and accommodating. Reach out and connect with the RV community about any concerns, questions and information you need before buying an RV. 

There are a lot of online resources for anything RV related, from forums, YouTube videos, blogs, Facebook groups and so on, – don’t hesitate to ask for advice!

Resources:

• https://rvshare.com/blog/owning-an-rv/
• https://www.sparefoot.com/self-storage/blog/20202-10-things-to-know-before-you-buy-an-rv/
• https://koa.com/blog/the-beginners-guide-to-buying-an-rv-purchasing-an-rv/
• https://www.allianztravelinsurance.com/travel/planning/eight-advantages-of-rv-travel.htm
• https://www.aarp.org/retirement/planning-for-retirement/info-2020/purchasing-rv-motorhome.html
• https://www.rvia.org/news-insights/families-save-money-when-owning-using-rvs-compared-other-types-vacations