Helpful Tips For Full-Time RVers: Self Storage Facilities

If you are considering selling your home and taking to the road full-time in an RV, you'll need to downsize drastically! Not only will you have less space in your RV, you will have to pay attention to the weight limitations.

Fortunately, you can store your additional belongings in a self storage facility so you can access them later. Here's what you need to know when using a storage facility to downsize before hitting the road as a full-time RVer.

Choose a Home Base

Since you'll be taking up residency in your RV, you'll need to determine a home base. Your home base is where you'll be licensed to drive and register and insure your RV.

Of course, your home base could be where you currently live, but it doesn't have to be. This may be a good time to establish domicile in a state that has lower or no state taxes and lower insurance rates, including health insurance.

To choose a home base in a different state from where you currently live, you'll need to establish an intent to return to that state. One way to have an intent to return is by having your personal property stored in a self storage facility.

Store Seasonal Items 

If you decide that you will end your full-time RV lifestyle at some point in the future, you may want to hold onto your furnishings and other belongings. Place these items in the back of your storage unit, because you won't need to access them at all until after you've completed your travels. 

In the front of the unit, store seasonal items so you can swap them out when they are needed. For example, before colder weather sets in, you can go to your storage unit to retrieve storage containers full of things you'll need for winter weather, such as electric space heaters, mattress pad heaters, and warmer clothing.

Store your seasonal items in plastic storage containers that can be easily placed underneath your RV in the storage compartment. It's important to use plastic containers to protect the contents in case of a leak in your plumbing system or your RV is in an accident.

Use a Detailed Content List

To keep you from having to rely on your memory, keep a detailed content list of each box and container that is in your storage unit. Make a copy of the list so you can keep one with you in the RV. Tape the other one to the wall inside your storage unit in case you lose the one in the RV. 

Don't forget to keep the lists updated as you swap things in and out from your storage unit. There's no doubt that you'll pick up memorabilia along the way that you may want to store in the storage unit, so it's a good idea to keep track of all new items by constantly updating the lists each time you go to your storage unit.

Set Up Automatic Payments

Before you head out on the road set up automatic payments for the storage facility. That way, you won't miss any payments. Missing payments on a self storage unit could result in liens being placed against your property and/or your property being sold at auction.

If the storage facility does not have the capability to accept automatic payments through a website, set the payments up through your bank. It's a good idea to also set up alerts for when your payments are due and for when payments are made.

Be sure to give the office of the storage unit your phone number so you can be reached if rates increase or in case of emergency.

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