What Are the Regulations for Storing a Car in a Storage Unit?
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If you are trying to store your vehicle long-term, a storage unit might seem very practical. But can you even put a car in a storage unit, and what are the regulations? For many, storing a car in a storage unit is an option; however, there are a couple of key considerations regarding size required and legalities and whether you can work on a car stored in a storage unit. This guide covers everything you need to know in safely and legally storing your car.
Can You Put a Car in a Storage Unit?
Yes, you can store a car in a storage unit, but there are some specifications and rules associated with it. Most storage facilities allow the storing of vehicles, but they have special requirements regarding the kind of vehicle, maintenance, and size of the storage unit.
Key Considerations
1. Vehicle Registration and Insurance:
Most storage facilities require that your car be fully registered, insured, and in a running condition. This is only to ensure that you do not use the unit as some kind of junkyard, which could be against facility or local policy. Before you store your car, ensure all your documentation is updated.
2. Storage Unit Size:
What size car storage unit do you need? Well, that depends upon the type of car. For most cars, a regular 10×20-sized storage unit will suffice, while larger vehicles like SUVs and trucks require at least a 10×30 unit. Of course, measuring your vehicle will be important, as will a consultation with the storage facility, to make sure it fits comfortably.
3. Fuel and Fluids:
Each facility will have different rules when it comes to the fuel and fluids within your car. Some will ask you to empty your fuel tank, since an almost full tank can actually pose serious fire hazards. Others may allow you to store them with some little amount of fuel-mostly less than one-quarter of a tank. It’s also wise to check for oil leaks or other fluid issues before storing your car, as these could damage the facility or other stored items.
4. Battery Maintenance:
It is always a good idea to disconnect your car’s battery, if it is to be stored for a long period. This will prevent the drainage of your battery and its possible damage. Some of the storage facilities may also have particular rules concerning how the battery should be maintained during storage.
5. Tires and Pressure:
Fill your tires with air to the recommended pressure to avoid getting flat spots while the car is stationary. Some car owners prefer to jack up their car to take some pressure off the tires. Not all storage facilities allow this, however. Be sure to check with your facility if this is something that they require.
Can You Work on a Car in a Storage Unit?
It is indeed a common question for all car enthusiasts and anyone who would want to make minor repairs or maintenance on their car while it is stored. So, is it possible to work on a car in a storage unit?
The answer is usually no. Storage units are generally not constructed to be workplaces of any sort, and many storage facilities prohibit the repair or maintenance of vehicles inside of a unit for a number of reasons, including safety concerns and fire hazards related to flammable materials or car fluids.
Some storage facilities offer special “workspaces” for doing mechanical work, but these are few and far between-and they often involve additional charges. If you plan on using a storage unit as a garage workplace, it is very important to discuss this with the facility manager at the time you rent it.
Regulations for Storing a Car
Ensuring safety and legality may involve abiding by various regulations, which may vary from facility to facility. Here are some typical rules applied:
1. Car Condition
Most storage units require that your car be in running condition, which normally means that non-operational cars are not accepted unless the storage facility offers non-running car storage.
2. No Flammable Materials
Safety concerns do not allow tenants to store any hazardous or flammable materials in the unit. This would include things like gasoline cans, paint thinners, and chemicals for maintaining cars. The only flammable material that more than likely would be permitted is the small amount of gas in the fuel tank of a car.
3. Insurance Coverage
Though the facility storing the car is seldom responsible for the car itself, they may demand some proof of insurance. This would cover your car against theft, damage, or an accident occurring during the period of storage. If your coverage doesn’t happen to include storage, you can either purchase additional coverage for it or contact the storage facility to see if they have their own insurance available.
4. Access Rules
Many facilities have limited access hours due to security concerns, meaning you cannot access your car at just about any given moment of the day. Be sure to ask about the access times and procedures for retrieving your car if it is needed.
5. Local Regulations
In addition to the above regulations, there may also be more local regulations regarding what you can store and for how long, depending on the city or state in which your storage facility is located. For example, some municipalities may require vehicles in storage to be registered with the DMV, or they may have time limits regarding how long a vehicle can be parked without being driven.
What Size Storage Unit for a Car?
As earlier noted, what size storage unit for a car does depend greatly on the kind of vehicle that you will be storing. Some general storage unit sizes with regards to common types of cars are elaborated in the following:
- Compact Cars: The general, ordinary size that fits a compact car is one 10×15 storage unit-a Honda Civic or a Toyota Corolla would fit in.
- Sedans, SUVs, and Trucks: Most sedans and mid-size SUVs go comfortably into the space provided by a 10×20 storage unit. Trucks that may be larger or of an over-size proportion would need at least a 10×30 unit.
- Luxury or Classic Cars: If it were a luxury or classic car, the extra space may be saved for coverings or space so nothing can fall against them and cause damage.
It is always good to measure one’s vehicle and inquire from the storage facility their recommendations to ensure getting the proper space.
Can You Use a Storage Unit as a Garage?
Although using a storage unit as a long-term garage in which to work on or just store one’s car might sound attractive, most facilities are just not equipped to handle this use. Most storage units are passively designed-in other words, they are meant for storing, not actively using, such as taking your car in and working on it.
If you plan to work on your car, then you need to check with the facility whether they have garage units or specialized areas where you can undertake such activities. A few of the high-end facilities actually offer premium “garage storage” with improved features such as electrical outlets; these are very rare and highly expensive.
Conclusion
If you are asking “Can you put a car in a storage unit?”, The answer is yes, but with some very important regulations involved. Of course, knowing the regulation on fuel, condition of vehicle, insurance, and size of storage unit is paramount to keep the car safe and secure. In this respect, if anyone is interested in knowing either the storage unit size for a car or working on a car in a storage unit, it is vital to know about the particular facility policies. But with the right precautions, self-storage can be an excellent option to solve your car storage needs.
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