Seattle, WA RV and Boat Storage

Whether you’ve got an RV, a boat or both, Seattle is a pretty foolproof destination. You can enjoy lush campgrounds, take in in views of coastal islands and be back in time to make a meal out of free samples at Pike Place Market. While it would be pretty cool if you could park your rig at the Seattle Great Wheel, storing your RV or boat when it's not in use can prove challenging in Seattle. But don’t despair. The Emerald City is still a great place to own (and store) an RV or boat, and we’re here to help guide you through the process.

Storage Availability

We’ve already done the legwork and talked to the experts on this one. RV and boat storage is decidedly lacking in Seattle. If you’re will to literally go the extra mile, your options will open up. Another way to find this type of storage is by opting for the most basic level available. This means that rather than setting your sights on the super secure, climate controlled, luxury unit, you might want to consider the simplest option, which basically looks like a parking lot. This type of storage can also just be extra space on the perimeter of the facility’s property. Storage facilities that offer all the bells and whistles, like Western Self Storage in Sumner which offers indoor RV storage will hookups, typically have waiting lists. Even if this is what you want, you might want to consider finding temporary storage at a simpler facility in the meantime.

Security

If you’re wondering what the difference is between storing your RV or boat in what seems to be a parking lot at a storage facility versus storing it in your driveway, you’re forgetting a few big things. The advantage to storing your RV or boat in this type of space rather than outside of your home home is that you don’t have to deal with your landlord’s rules, city street parking enforcements or just that one neighbor who always complains about things on your property that look unsightly. You also get the security of, well, security. Facilities like Ballard Mini Storage offer 24 hour cameras, which allow your RV or boat to have eyes on it at all times. Every storage facility offers a different level of security. This can be something as basic as a good fence and ample lighting, or it can be something as complex as a key coded gate that automatically locks everyone out as soon as the facility closes. When choosing an RV or boat storage facility in Seattle, it’s easy to sign a lease at the first place that has space for you. While we certainly don’t want you missing out on this type of storage in a market where it’s limited, we still think it’s worth it to spend a few minutes chatting with your potential storage facility’s manager. A good manager will demonstrate that he or she is familiar with the property and therefore aware of any shady business, like a tenant living inside of a unit who could end up posing a threat to your RV. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Most facilities rent month-to-month, so if you’re storing your RV or boat at a place that seems secure at first but actually isn’t, you’ll be able to get out of the situation without breaking your lease.

24 Hour Access in Seattle

Besides being a hub of coffee, music and food, the Seattle area is also a dream city if you’re into camping, boating, hiking, biking or any weird outdoor activity that’s yet to be invented. If you like to keep your adventures as local as possible, you’ll still find that most camping destinations near Seattle have one thing in common. They pretty much all claim to be “just a 45 minute drive from Downtown Seattle.” This doesn’t sound too bad until you factor in how long it takes you to pack up your RV or hitch your trailer to your car. Add in traffic and the trip from your weekend retreat in the woods back to your storage facility is definitely not 45 minutes long. For example, if you decide to camp at Tall Chief RV and Camping Resort and you want to spend a little extra time gazing at Snoqualmie Falls, you might be getting home on Sunday night rather than Sunday afternoon. If your storage facility isn’t accessible 24 hours a day, this is a real problem. Opt for one that’s open when you need it to be, or talk to your facility manager about this. If you’re dealing with a unit that’s managed by a smaller company, managers can sometimes offer extended access to those who are willing to pay for it. An extra few hours in nature? Totally worth it.