Need to store my baby for the winter

[cnq50b]

City regs don't really allow me keeping my mega-van in the driveway & rather than wait until neighbors complain... I'm looking at storing her for the winter. Any recommendations - especially between enclosed or uncovered - or other things to think of before I commit? Some places are fairly close by so I plan on breaking her out at least once a month - drive her for the weekend & then take her back.
Will winterize her this weekend & then book a place for Nov 1.
I'm open for advice... And I know that is what you all are good at!!!!!

[avalen]

do shop around and compare prices. Here in town I got price quoted of $100 for secure storage yard, and called a place out in Apache Junction and it was
only $45 for secure storage. The one I put my rv in out in AJ is over 40 miles away but I only go out there every couple months to check on it. I make my
payments over the phone. So price can vary by quite a bit.

[Acadianmom]

I would opt for covered storage if it's affordable. Since RV's are prone to leaks, the less time sitting out in the weather the better. One of the best presents my DH gave me was an extension of the carport for my motorhome.

Martha

[AlmostThere]

I opted for covered storage which also offers electricity inwhich I use to keep my RV plugged in and also keep the engine battery on a trickle charger. $75 a mo.

[cnq50b]

Thanks, Ava - you're right prices vary quite a bit. I was going to go further out of town but the local ones seemed to have dropped lately to get us late-comers under cover before winter. And I figure I'm more likely to get her out of hock frequently if she's close by.
Martha, that's one good reason to go with covered storage. thanks! I had schemes of re-configuring the fence around my back yard so I could put her there, but putting a gravel pad out there & a funky fence gate setup would probably lower the market value of my house.
I hate parting with her - I love driving her in the city now & take her to work at least once a week. But being a good neighbor is important too.

[Redetotry]

I just found out the heated storage spot I had last year isn't available, the whole space was rented out as a warehouse So, I called a local storage place very near the house and find they have a 10X 20 space that is mostly underground for $82. a month. Thinking since underground I probably can get by without winterizing and no heat. Elsie is 19'7 inches long so...not sure if it will work. They do have a 10X30 but it is $142. a month so not sure unless I can get a friend to rent part of the space from me The good thing is I can take it in and out when I want, at the other place I had to make arrangements for them to bring it out for me. Last year I turned my house batteries off and then drove it around every month or so and it worked out well.

[teachergal]

My RV "lives" in storage! I pay $75 a month for a secure parking spot at a boat/RV storage place about 5 miles from my house. It's perfect b/c I can go get it whenever I want! I take it out every few weeks so I usually just disconnect the house battery, open the fridge and leave it at that. I am going to winterize it soon.

Last weekend my dad and I did a practice run of winterizing and discovered something that might help you.... I have a 2011 PW Plateau (Sprinter) and in order to drain the hot water heater you have to remove the anode rod, in order to remove the anode rod you need a socket wrench with a 1 1/16 socket. This socket only fits on a 1/2 drive also. This is an odd size socket and my dad - who has 3 sets of sockets in both English & metric didn't have one. I'm now on a quest to buy a socket wrench, an extender for the wrench because it's tight getting it in there, and the socket. So just a heads up to maybe do a dry run before it gets cold so you can have time to gather the tools you need!

[longdog2]

The proper socket, extender, and wrench now live in "my" tool bag instead of DHs. That way he isn't tempted to take it apart so I have to hunt for the pieces. Also, his bag has enough tools to build the RV from scratch in it. Mine has what I (or someone helping me) might need for more minor fixes. Got tired of tearing up my hands looking in his for a screw driver, hammer, etc. Just so DH or one of the son't isn't tempted to take it along with them, it's pink! The right combination of socket, extender, and wrench makes it real easy to remove the anode rod and greatly reduces any chance of stripping the threads.

[cnq50b]

Thanks for the heads up on getting the right tools, Melissa & Colleen. I'll google it a bit to see if my year (2004) has the same set up - Then I'll get what I need & see how far I get with it. Might have to invite one of my brothers over for a little assistance if needed. The weather here is supposed to stay warm for another week of so before I have to do it for real. Sounds like this would be a good project for tomorrow - once the thunderstorms pass by...

And I know what you mean about tools walking off - Daddy used to say he enjoyed visiting each of his kids so he could visit his tools.

As to where to store it, I'm leaning towards a place between my house & work - that way I can easily get her out of hock whenever I'd like. It costs a little more, but I really love driving her & they have covered parking so she'll be out of the snow & ice.