ATV's Jet skis, Snowmobiles and Motorcycles

Storage for ATV's, Jet Skis, Snowmobiles and Motocycles

Big toys with wheels tend to take up a lot of storage space, which can interfere with the fun of having them, or keep you from owning them at all. However, self-storage can provide as much space for all the ATVs, jet skis, snowmobiles, motorcycles, etc. as your pocketbook can handle.

Regardless of how many small-engine vehicles you own, storing them smartly makes for more fun with them…faster. Here are some tips on how to get the most out of different self-storage solutions:

Size and Capacity

• • When considering the amount of space you’ll need to store your ATV, jet ski, snowmobile or motorcycle, be sure to include extra room for all the equipment that comes with it. If you do have protective gear, trailers or car racks, etc. that you wish to store with your small craft, a closed unit would provide necessary containment not offered by a covered outdoor space.

  • Be sure to check the width of the door to a potential storage unit. Some equipment, such as double trailers, may be too wide for a drive-up or inside unit, so covered parking would be the better option.

Convenience

• • Apartment, housing, or municipal restrictions on parking may cramp your style, but self-storage provides an easy solution.

  • Most facilities expect that leased space will be used only for storage, and not as a workshop. Repairing or extensive maintenance of small vehicles should not be done at the self storage facility.

  • Vehicles that are required to be licensed must have current license plates. If your tags expire while in storage, your storage facility may ask you to renew them.

  • Storage facilities typically require proof of vehicle registration. They may also require proof of insurance, since individual property is not covered by the facility’s insurance.

Safety

• • Protection from the elements is a clear benefit of self storage, whether you choose a covered parking spot, a drive-up unit or an inside unit to store your small-engine vehicle. Use accessories like vinyl covers, tire locks and tie downs for additional protection.

  • Security features such as entry keypads and security cameras that typically come with self-storage solutions can lend much more peace of mind than parking your two- or four-wheeled toys in your driveway or yard.

  • If you are considering covered parking, keep in mind that some facilities may offer a simple aluminum roof while others offer cinder block structures – compare facilities for the solution that suits you best.

  • In geographic regions where temperatures reach extremes, consider the option of climate-controlled storage. This option (offered by some facilities at modest additional cost) assures that the temperature in your unit will be kept around 70-80 degrees. The controlled climate prevents damage due to humidity, heat or cold, and provides a comfortable environment in which you can work on organizing or maintaining your vehicles and equipment.

  • Always remove as much gasoline as possible from the fuel tank before storing any vehicle, to prevent leaks and fire hazards. Especially when vehicles will be stored over long periods of time, check fuel lines and gaskets, and lay down cardboard or mats to prevent damage to the unit’s floor.

  • Any vehicle with wheels (or the trailer on which it arrives or is stored) must be road-worthy. Keep an eye on tires that can dry rot or deflate. Restrictions vary by facility, so check with your facility manager about your role in maintaining stored vehicles.