Perhaps you have an extra vehicle which you plan to put into storage. In deciding whether or not to spend the money to do it, the single most important decision to make is whether to put the vehicle in;
- An individual storage unit where it is behind a locked door (often times with trickle charge electricity) and is protected from the elements where only you have the key.
- A large warehouse where it is protected from the elements and where access is controlled, BUT anyone who has a vehicle at the site can access your vehicle.
- Covered parking where it is protected to some extent from the elements but the control of access to your vehicle is minimal.
- An open lot which guarantees both exposure to the elements and, largely, unfettered access to your vehicle.
Probably the single biggest storage issue, aside from wear and tear to your vehicle from the elements, is vandalism. No storage is fool-proof in this era where classic car and RV parts are exceedingly expensive. It doesn’t end with the simplest parts. Catalytic Converters are a “HOT” item. Almost anyone who is considering placing their vehicle in storage knows about this critical aspect of your emissions control system. Catalytic Converters contain platinum, palladium and rhodium and can be unbolted and removed or cut off with a reciprocating saw in about a minute often times damaging other parts of the vehicle in the process. The replacement cost for such a device is often over $1,000 and if you have one removed from your motorhome, expect it to run close to $2,000.
In summary, if you have to put your vehicle in storage, consider security as an important aspect of what you are paying for.
