What exactly should you expect from storage facilities?
We went to see our new caravan today, the day we took delivery of it it went straight into storage and today was the first opportunity we've had since then to go and check on it, this was at the end of October.
To say I'm a little concerned is an understatement, but I want to make sure I'm not worrying over something that is actually considered normal.
We use a storage provider that is a working farm normally and small caravan site. They store caravans in the barns and have a large quantity of stored caravans on site spread over a number of outbuildings/barns.
These caravans are crammed in. We called and gave notice that we were coming to access our caravan, check it over and give it an airing. When we got there the vans were so tightly crammed in we couldn't get down the side to open the door, we were unable to check around the outside of the van and they hadn't wanted to move it as the vans were packed in for the winter months. It was covered in condensation and a horrible dirty grime, it looked a mess and considering this was new when it went into storage it's going to need a good clean when we do get it out! I am hoping like mad there is no external damage from movement of other vans and without being able to get into it can only hope the inside isn't a problem too. It has a wheel lock on too, but how they managed to put it on after moving it is baffling me and I hope they don't forget when it comes to moving it out - we had to push for it to be used in the first place!
We are trying to sort out an alternative but everywhere is full, but we have our names down on a few waiting lists. We were so pleased to have found storage at short notice, cheap and inside but it's nothing like what I had expected.
The van will come out in February as we're booked to go away in it, but I'm very worried in the meantime, I'm hoping an alternative storage site becomes available by then. Is this storage normal or should we be concerned?
I good clean should soon sort it out. On a farm I'd be more worried about mice getting in TBH. Have you tried here
..not inside but CASSOA gold. we use it as we only live round the corner. We have found the price over the years to be quite competitive - he does seem to have spaces - unless there are an inordinate number of people away in their vans!
We have spoken to them, they have asked us to contact them tomorrow as they currently have no spaces but are having a move around so may be able to help.
I'm not so worried about the grime, like you said it can be cleaned, it's more the crammed in nature and not having any access to our van despite giving 24hrs notice, so we can't check it over.
You'd be better off with good external storage - rain help keep them clean...
Caravans are built for the outdoors, they don't need to be covered when not in use, ours was always outside and aside from some drain marks it was easy to clean off and we could access it when we needed to.
I wouldn't want my van packed that closely to others, I bet they won't take responsibility for any damage.
Not being funny but its been there since end of October, its now early January when you went to check on it but could not get inside to check anything. It will be February before you will visit it again?
Its a new van so you don't no if it has had any leaks etc.
Not being negative but there are threads on this site reporting brand new vans leaking first time it rains.
I would have been checking it at least every month as you have no history of using the van with it being new.
Probably everything will be good..but you don't know as you could not gain access?
------------- It is a wise man who has something to say.
It is a fool who has to say something.
We kept ours in that type of storage over one winter and it came out much dirtier than outside and with more mildew stains. We came to the conclusion that there was insufficient air movement inside the building to ventilate properly.
It is now stored externally and we wash it at the beginning and end of each season and have no problems internally.
Work has meant opportunities to visit has been almost impossible, we had intended on using it before February but again work prevented that from happening. If we'd had the chance to check on it more frequently we would have done it was always our intention to go once a month. We were never expecting to take ownership in October but around March time which left us a little unprepared in the first place!
We would have always had trouble accessing it but believed the position we left it in would allow that, we didn't know it had been moved until today and told we wouldn't be able to get into it.
Hopefully, come March we'll have it in more suitable storage closer to home. I only wanted to make sure this wasn't what we should be expecting when it comes to storage.
I hope you are able to get storage closer to home and able to visit the van to check all is well.
Anything can happen to a van when in storage, it can get damaged by someone placing their van next to your's, a skylight can get ripped off which leaves a hole for rain to enter, can also be damaged by flying debris in high winds etc etc. All things that can and do happen sometimes.
If you don't visit to check up on a regular basis it can turn a small issue into a badly damp/damaged van.
As you have experienced yourself being unable to access your van. If you can't see any damage then no one else will, so it will go unreported.
I am seriously only trying to give helpful information.
------------- It is a wise man who has something to say.
It is a fool who has to say something.
Every storage place does what they do and take your money. You either leave it there or go elsewhere.
I left our van on a farm come caravan site but didn't like it. It was always filthy inside when we got there and I really wanted to be able to keep an eye on it. It was towed to a pitch for our holiday by tractor then towed back to the storage field when we left.
They would clean the outside for around £20 before we arrived. The front A frame faring got damaged.
It was convenient and cheap and a good site to stay at.
Since then I've stored a van in a farm storage place near home. Was always able to access it but had to walk knee deep in mud to get there sometimes. Again I didn't like it and eventually we had mice in the gas locker but luckily not inside. The grass and weeds grew inside.
Now we have a smaller van and keep it on the drive at home. Much better but completely blocks the living room window.
So some places are better than others and good ones will cost.
Joanne - As regards your wheel clamp,since there is insufficient access down the side of your van, the site probably installed the clamp, and then pushed the van in.
Its a technique some have used to fit the second Alko wheel lock on twin axle vans, which otherwise have to jacked up. If the surface is loose or muddy, probably no harm done, eve if its seems a little brutal.
As others have mentioned its essential to open up and air the van regularly to check for damp and furry visitors. Its totally unacceptable that access is not possible to the interior.
However, I think you are remiss in depositing the van straight after purchase as the 30 day rejection period has passed and you have no idea about its condition
the storage depot at West Hallam was just as bad years ago.
Not sure what its like now, you coiuld get inside, but lots of vans got damaged there as well.
Same on a farm my mate had his van.
I can never understand why people leave valuable caravans on a farm storeage - farms are usually dirty mucky places and not ideal - you will only find it has been stolen or damaged when you go to pick it up.
We use a Gold Approved storeage site that costs £400 a year and is secured like Fort Knox
Reasonably sized parking pitches and 24 hours manned security.
Why leave it on a farm for half the price but double the worry ?
Unfortunately I think most of us would like secure gold storage but it is very difficult to find stores with vacancies. We tried so many sites and all full. In fact storage around where we live is impossible to find unless you travel miles and miles. Also we are not alowed to store on drives even if you had a big enough one. So sorry, your
comment about "you can't understand " is a strong statement and I as one take umbridge to this as if I could find the storage you talk about I would!
Thankfully we did find Gold Standard storage not far from us who were really helpful when we explained the situation. The plot we have now still isn't quite right, but it is temporary until they can give us a more suitable plot. I'm just relieved the caravan is ok, and that we were able to sort things out so quickly.
The farm storage was secure and the caravans were locked away, just far too many for the space available, which contributed to the condensation issues within the barn. The day we took it home we were also informed that over the winter months you would be charged for taking your van out as they were supposed to be packed away for the winter. Glad we're not there anymore.
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Topic: Caravan Storage issues
