Storing Vehicles

Prevent Theft: Store Your Trailer in Secure Storage

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Last year there was a ring of cargo trailer thefts in Colorado, with hundreds of trailers stolen.  Some were found, but many were not.  Unfortunately there are indications that vehicle theft in Colorado, including theft of trailers is not on a decline.

According to the Colorado State Patrol, Denver has five thefts per 1,000 cars… Denver, Aurora, Colorado Springs, Lakewood and Adams County have all been targeted by Colorado State Patrol for the shockingly high number of thefts that occur in that area. In fact, more than 11,000 car thefts occurred in 2010 in Colorado, costing the state somewhere around $72 million in losses. (Source HG.org)

If you have a cargo trailer, vehicle trailer, RV, pop-up camper, extra vehicles/trucks, or boat in Colorado (or anywhere else), it would be wise to prevent theft.

Here are a few ways that people secure their vehicles/trailers to prevent theft:

1.  Trailer Hitch Lock – There are a variety of locks available for trailer hitches, whether  it is a gooseneck type hitch, or ball hitch, at minimum having a lock can deter a theft of convenience.

2. Wheel Lock – Similar to when your car is booted after being illegally parked, this is a large locking attachment that can prevent a car or trailer from rolling away by the hands of a thief.

3. GPS – Not only can car dealers and lenders attach a GPS unit to a vehicle, there are GPS systems sold for consumers to have installed on their vehicle or trailer.  GPS systems vary, but can include geo-fencing that will notify you should your vehicle/trailer move outside of the fenced area, and giving you and the police a better idea where to recover it quickly.

4. Storage Facility – Another option is to store your vehicle or trailer in a secure storage facility.  This allows greater peace of mind, especially when you are away from home, or can only store a vehicle or trailer on a street or in your driveway.  Our Fort Lupton facility gives you the convenience of 24/7 access, but gives you peace of mind with secure gate access, 24/7 video monitoring, and oversized fencing around the grounds.

Keep your toys, or your business assets secure by storing them properly to prevent theft.  If you are looking for storage for a vehicle, trailer, boat, or RV, we are glad to help.  Whether it’s for a few days a week between jobs, or for a season, we can customize a bid for you based on the space needed, and time needed.  Give us a call at 303-219-4787.

 

Winter RV Storage: Five Places to Check For Leaks

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Winter came rolled into Colorado with a vengeance in November, and we’ll certainly reach the single digits many more times this summer. Perhaps you have done your yearly winterization of the fresh water system, but have you inspected your RV for spots where water and ice can drip and accumulate?

Save yourself future repairs, and inspect your RV for any cracks in these common areas to prevent freeze and water damage when storing your RV in the off season.

Icicles

1. Depressions in roof that cause water to pool
-Rubber Roof Top Coat
-Park on chalks for storage that allow a slight angle for water to drip away, make sure roof seams are well sealed, so water doesn’t drip through into the RV

2. Seals around roof vents, antennas, air conditioning or satellite units

3. Roof seams

4. Trimming around windows and doors

5. Gaskets around running lights and attachments on the exterior sides to prevent leaks into the walls

Winterize Your Boat for Winter Storage

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October in Colorado often brings the early dips in temperature.  If your boat has a fresh water system, now is the time to get it winterized, if you haven’t done so already.  The process will take less than an hour, but will save you hours of frustration finding and repairing ruptured lines, should water freeze in any of the lines without proper winterization.

frozen snowflakePrior to getting started on winterizing your boat, you will need to get some boat & RV antifreeze.

According to West Marine, “the burst point of PVC pipes used in most drinking water systems is about -10°F (-23°C). When winterizing water systems in regions where temperatures can fall below -10°F (-23°C), we recommend using West Marine Pure Oceans -100°F (-73°C) Marine Antifreeze.”

The -50°F Engine & Water System Antifreeze is suitable for Colorado as it “provides burst protection to -50°F (-46°C) and freeze protection within a range of +12°F to +16°F (-11°C to -9°C)” (West Marine).

If this is the first winter with your boat, or haven’t taken on the task of winterizing your boat for winter storage, we found this popular winterizing video instruction on YouTube (if you find it helpful, be sure to give it a thumbs up on YouTube!).

Once your boat’s fresh water system is winterized, you can cover it up and store it away for winter, until late spring or summer.  If you’re in need of the space in your driveway and can’t store your boat at your home, please give us a call at 303-219-4787, for a competitive storage rate based on the size of your boat, that you need to put in storage for the winter.

4 Reasons to Store Your Boat at Colorado Secured Storage

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white speedboat courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net / khunaspixWhen you’re choosing where to store your boat, you’re looking for convenience and affordability.  If you’re like most boat owners, your impression will resonate with these four advantages of choosing to store your boat at Colorado Secured Storage in Fort Lupton Colorado.

  1. Avoid city parking fines for storing on the street in your neighborhood, or HOA warnings for storing it in your driveway
  2. Ask for a bid, for your boat storage needs, but you will find that our rates are more affordable than storing your boat inside of most marinas.
  3. Storing your boat in a central location, near highways like at Colorado Secured Storage, allows you options to visit many lakes, versus always returning to the same lake for every trip.
  4. The video monitored facility is well lit and allows 24/7 access, so you can pick up and return your boat on your schedule, not yours.

Need to arrange seasonal or year round storage for your boat? Inquire for a storage bid.

Image: white speedboat courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net / khunaspix

Clean Messy Tree Sap Off Your RV

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If you’ve ever stored your RV in your yard without a cover, or have stayed in a campground, immediately underneath or touching a tree, then your RV may have stops from tree sap that a regular car wash will not get off.

So we came across a quick and inexpensive way to clean off those troublesome spots with rubbing alcohol.  Here is a video by YouTube user Trevor Hunt, demonstrating how to easily clean off tree sap from vehicles and RVs.

Prevent the sap spots on your RV by using an RV cover when not in use, or store your RV in Colorado Secured Storage‘s clean, affordable outdoor storage facility, clear of any trees.

10 Reminders for De-winterizing Your RV

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Memorial weekend is just a couple weeks away to ring in summer fun and adventures.  If summer means a week on the open road with your family in an RV, then it’s time to start de-winterizing your RV in preparation.

Save time and frustration while on your summer vacation by following steps for de-winterizing your RV

  1. Remove furnace and refrigerator vent covers
  2. Fully charge batteries if you removed them when winterizing
  3. Flush out the plumbing with fresh water to remove antifreeze
  4. Test brake lights and turn signals
  5. Check that the tires are at their proper inflation
  6. Use soapy water to check that propane tank connections are tight
  7. Clean off and re-lubricate the hitch on camper trailers and 5th wheel trailers
  8. Give a thorough inspection that there are no leaks that could allow bugs, mice, or water through.
  9. Test furnace and hot water heater that they are functioning normally
  10. Inspect the chassis, use grease as needed. Repack wheel bearings as needed

Have other tips for de-winterizing your RV? Please share in the comments below.

The Mystery Solved of the Dead Car Battery

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There are fewer things more frustrating than to find you have a dead battery.  As a vehicle storage facility, commercial, personal, or recreational vehicles may have a couple week stay or a seasonal stay.  No matter how long you store your vehicle, you expect it to start up again on your return.  Depending on the length of storage, you may want to take additional efforts to make sure that the battery is in top condition, and ready to start.

This helpful infographic, we found, will give you some ideas on how to maintain your battery for many clean starts in your vehicle’s future…
Car Battery Maintenance Infographic

Car Battery Maintenance – An infographic by the RAC Breakdown Team’s Car Battery specialists.

 

City Municipal Codes Pertaining to Vehicle Parking

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If you have commercial vehicles, recreation vehicles, a boat, or other trailer, you may have found that you’re unable to keep your vehicle stored in your driveway or on your property due to municipal codes or homeowner association rules, where you live.

This is by no means a comprehensive list of all the laws, nor is it legal advice to all the laws pertaining to parking or vehicle storage, but should be resourceful for you, if you’re trying to figure out what parking restrictions you might have for storing vehicles on your property by the city you are located in.

In addition, you will want to check in with your landlord for permission if you are renting.  And you should check if there is a homeowners association for the community that you live in, if they have any restrictions or rules about stored vehicles.

Aurora

Link to Aurora Neighborhood Zoning Codes

“Any vehicle including trailers, recreational vehicles, boats, etc., that is apparently inoperable, partially or totally dismantled, or is wrecked or damaged to the extent that it would be unlawful to operate on public streets may not be stored outside on any public or private property. Motor vehicles must be currently registered and display a valid license plate.”

Brighton

Link to Brighton Municipal Code

From Article 10-5:

“It shall be unlawful to park any vehicle, boat, detached camper, cart, wagon, off-highway vehicle, snowmobile, farm tractor or implement of husbandry on private property…

  • in any front yard or side yard on street unless such vehicles are parked on a driveway paved with concrete, asphalt, rock or gravel or in a side yard behind a lawfully constructed six-foot privacy fence
  • so that the public sidewalk is obstructed”

Dacono

Link to Dacono Municipal Code

From Chapter 8, Article 2, section 8-35:

“On a residential lot or parcel of real property, a maximum of one vehicle per lot or parcel, in addition to any vehicle meeting the requirements of paragraph of this section, shall be permitted if said vehicle is entirely covered with a one piece opaque heavy tarp or commercial car cover, securely fastened at all times, or is screened by a concealing fence not less than six feet  in height which renders the vehicle not visible to persons on adjacent private or public property. Such a fence shall comply with all applicable city ordinances”

Firestone

Link to Firestone Municipal Code

From Chapter 10.04.050:

“[subsection 2]

A motor home or trailer coach may be parked within a residential area for a period of time not to exceed forty-eight hours within any seven-day period provided the home or coach is being parked for the purpose of loading or unloading during such period, and not for storage.

[subsection 3]

Whenever a motor home or trailer coach is parked as permitted under subsection (2) of this section, the owner thereof shall post or place a conspicuous notice on the home or coach to advise third parties of the approximate time when the home or coach will be moved.”

Frederick

Link to Frederick Municipal Code

From Chapter 8, Article 2-24, 25:

“A maximum of one (1) vehicle per lot or parcel of real property shall be permitted provided that:   a.    The vehicle is covered with a one-piece opaque heavy tarp or commercial car cover that covers the entire vehicle and is securely fastened at all times; and   b.    The vehicle is parked in the rear yard or in the driveway of said property.”

Fort Lupton

Link to Fort Lupton Municipal Code

From Chapter 8 Article III Section 8-52:

“Parking on public or private property in residential areas is reserved for customary and ordinary residential uses as defined in the zoning part of this code. While commercial or large trucks are allowed to stop for deliveries and services in residential areas to be of use to residents and businesses there, these vehicles, due to size, weight, noise and visual differences, cannot be parked unattended or stored there. It is the intent of this Section to prevent the use of residential areas as substitute or auxiliary commercial parking areas. Because of their common and mixed uses, the parking of pickup trucks is allowed, even though they may be marked with business signs and carry business equipment.”

Greeley

Link to Greeley Municipal Code

From Chapter 11 Part 12:

“A vehicle owner of any six thousand pound or greater weight vehicle shall not park said vehicle on the street in front of the owner’s residence or within one hundred (100) feet of his or her residence, if the vehicle can legally be parked on the owner’s property instead.”

Should you find that you need to store a vehicle, trailer, or recreational vehicle, you may request a bid for your storage needs.  Being as we’re located in Fort Lupton, we are convenient to the cities previously listed.

Long Term Vehicle Storage Checklist [Infographic]

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Planning on backpacking or jet-setting sometime soon? When you make plans to sub-let your condo, drop off pets with a relative, and thin out belongings at a garage sale… don’t forget about your car. Take the proper steps to store your car so you’re sure it’s in excellent operating condition when you get back.

Car Storage Tips