Caravan Storage
If you have got a Touring caravan or are thinking about purchasing one in the future then you need to address the problem of caravan storage. Whilst you may envisage using your caravan at most weekends during the caravan season, there will often be times when it will not be in use, specifically during the winter months, and you need a place to keep it that is safe and secure.
There are a few different options of seasonal caravan storage:
• At your own place of residence
• At a campsite
• At a open to the elements storage centre
• At an indoor storage centre
The cheapest place to store your caravan would be at your own home, either on a driveway or maybe in your back garden. This is also a perfect place to store your touring caravan if you intend to use it regularly, maintain it and keep a close eye on it. It also has some disadvantages such as upsetting the neighbours if it is stored in a prominent position and also giving would be burglars a clear indication of when you are away on holiday, giving them a free run at breaking into your house.
Another alternative for touring caravan storage is at a permanent, all season camp site. This would be a perfect solution if you did not want to tow your caravan on a regular basis but had a particularly favourite camp site that you visited regularly. Not only would you have the bonus of not towing the caravan every time you frequented the site but it would remain in a constant set up arrangement so there would be no packing and unpacking. The drawbacks for this option though would be the expense of having a permanent site, the fact that the site may not be completely secure and also that the caravan would remain out in the elements all year round which could lead to premature aging.
Another option would be to use an open air storage site, designed specifically for storing lots of caravans in a tight manner. These sites can be anything to a secluded hard standing or a farmer’s field and so prices vary greatly depending on facilities and area of the country. These storage sites usually have some security features but each would vary and would need to be inspected prior to placing your caravan. Again, the fact that these sites are open air means your caravan will be in the elements all year round and so damage is more likely to occur.
Indoor storage sites for caravans are usually the most secure and expensive places to store your touring caravan. These types of facilities can vary from a farmer’s barn to a purpose built complex and have varying standards of security. The most secure and therefore expensive places offer CCTV, locked gates with high perimeter fences and normally a lived on site. Some places even have elaborate locking mechanisms and signing in process. As well as the security aspect of things, these undercover caravan storage sites protect your van from the weather which should prolong their life somewhat.
In the UK there is an organisation called the Caravan Storage Site Owners’ Association (CaSSOA) that rates storage sites based on their security and facilities. This is due to the fact that some 5000 caravans are stolen every year. CaSSOA is a nationally recognised organisation for caravan storage UK and it compiles a list of storage sites that it rates as Gold, Silver or Bronze depending on its level of protection and security and many Touring Caravan Insurers give a discount relating to the medal level that your storage facility has.
Your caravans storage is not only a matter or security and safety but also a matter of prolonging its useful life. Getting the best storage place available may seem like an expensive option but it will save you money in the long run as well as giving you peace of mind that your caravan is safe.
If you have got a Touring caravan or are thinking about purchasing one in the future then you need to address the problem of caravan storage. Whilst you may envisage using your caravan at most weekends during the caravan season, there will often be times when it will not be in use, specifically during the winter months, and you need a place to keep it that is safe and secure.
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