Undercover vs outside storage

rob3047
rob3047 Forum Participant Posts: 11
edited October 2016 in Storage #1

With a van on the way in Mar 17 I'm looking into storage. Preference is for CaSSOA site but depends on what's nearby. However I've been thinking about benefits of undercover storage although those seem few and far between (only 1 CaSSOA site within 15 miles
of me and they are full). 

Plenty of options for outdoor storage so wondering what you good folk do when storing outside? I've read about raising/lowering from so water doesn't pool on roof & using covers. Presume covers can trap moisture/condensation which doesn't sound good? But
would stop dirt, etc accumulation?

Comments

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
    1000 Comments
    edited October 2016 #2

    Mine sits alongside the house, no cover. 

  • Metheven
    Metheven Club Member Posts: 3,987 ✭✭✭
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    edited October 2016 #3

    New van nearly 3 years ago and it sits in the open on our storage site, no covers just nose high to stop pooling on the roof and the rain self washes debris as it runs off. Obviously after a winter its in need of a good clean up, but comes up as good as
    new.

  • Kerry Watkins
    Kerry Watkins Forum Participant Posts: 325
    100 Comments
    edited October 2016 #4

    We store our caravan in the open with a cover. Have found no condensation problems and find it is ideal to protect our fan.  Suppose if we had the choice, internal storage would be the preferred option. Thus would of course come with the added cost.

  • SteveL
    SteveL Club Member Posts: 12,299 ✭✭✭
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    edited October 2016 #5

    Ours is outside in a fairly open ( except for the razor wire) compound. No trees or grass, just gravel and fencing. It's been coated and we find it stays fairly clean. We clean the sides periodically and the roof is cleaned once a year, when it is serviced. I don't have any knowledge of indoor storage. However, I think I would want to be sure it was not inhabited by too many birds, taking shelter. Otherwise the van could end up more messy than if left in the open.

  • eurortraveller
    eurortraveller Club Member Posts: 6,828 ✭✭✭
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    edited October 2016 #6

    The nearest Cassoa Gold storage for me is just over the border in Devon and current rates are  £540 indoors and £395 outside - probably worth the extra to go indoors. But as three boys and I re- roofed a big shed here at home 35 years ago that has saved
    me £18,000 so far.

  • dmiller555
    dmiller555 Forum Participant Posts: 717
    500 Comments
    edited October 2016 #7

    I did investigate the possibility of indoor storage but apart from the additional cost the inconvenience of being required to give two days notice of arrival and departures put me off. This is because the vans are packed rather tightly into sheds. Our van
    is therefore presently sitting outside on a gold site very much nose down as the water systems open drain valve is at the front. 

  • MarcB90
    MarcB90 Forum Participant Posts: 12
    edited October 2016 #8

    Mines is now in back garden, washed polished and waxed with its new cover fitted. De-humidifier running 24/7 to pick up any moisture. Even after a rainy day the underside of the cover is bone dry. Theres plenty ventilation from underside blowing up and around
    so isnt a issue for retaining moisture.

  • CBRBlackbird
    CBRBlackbird Forum Participant Posts: 184
    100 Comments
    edited October 2016 #9

    I have mine indoor at a CaSSOA gold site (and paying less than some of the price mentioned)

    I only have to give 24hrs notice, but even 48hrs would not be a problem.

    The two problems that I have with the indoor storage are that depending on how far into the shed the van is then the solar panel may or may not be topping up the battery. Also in the summer there can be quite a bit of dust flying round and landing on the
    van. The storage do wash it off if they think it is bad, but their bad and my bad are not the same!

  • davida71uk
    davida71uk Forum Participant Posts: 31
    edited November 2016 #10

    "the solar panel may or may not be topping up the battery."

    Have you had any battery problems with indoor storage?

  • hitchglitch
    hitchglitch Forum Participant Posts: 3,007
    1000 Comments
    edited November 2016 #11

    I have a BMW which is 13 years old. The specialist garage that maintains it say that they have never seen one so good and it's due to the fact that it has been kept in the garage most of the time. So, for me it's a given that for long term preservation indoor
    is best. But, unless you are going to keep your van for 15 years you won't notice any difference; it's just a drag having to clean off all the moss, green algae, leaves, etc. every Spring.

  • since1959
    since1959 Forum Participant Posts: 2
    edited November 2016 #12

    Kept our vans outside at same farm for 40 years with no problem until break in last year. Now in barn c/o farmer. Like being able to load and unload in dry. Am investigating building a purpose built shed with door at either end to drive in and out.