If you are going to be away from home for an extended period, you should be thinking about how the items you own are stored during your travels.
There are a number of affordable and secure options out there, so let’s go through a few of the most suitable solutions for your long-term travel storage needs.
Self-storage
For handling larger storage jobs inexpensively, self-storage is the way to go. For example, if you are going to be overseas for a few months or more, and you don’t want to leave precious items in your home, transporting them to San Antonio storage units or a facility local to you will give you complete peace of mind.
Self-storage services often have different size units to cater to customers with varied needs, so whether you only have a handful of possessions you need to protect, or you are planning to store a much larger volume of goods, there should be something to suit.
The main caveat is that larger units will clearly cost more, and there are terms and conditions to adhere to as a customer of a self-storage facility, which if you ignore could leave your possessions in limbo. As such it is best to read the requirements carefully so that you don’t get stung.
Storage boxes
Whether you are planning to keep the things you own in a self-storage facility, or you are leaving them at home, you have to think carefully not just about where they are stored, but also how they are stored.
The longer items are left unattended, the more chance there is that they will suffer damage, whether as a result of the weather, the environment, or the incursion of wildlife.
The best option is to choose storage boxes which have been specifically designed for the purpose of keeping their contents dry and free from the advances of rodents and insects.
Avoiding the use of plastic bags is wise, because these can actually trap moisture and be ruinous to clothing and other fabrics in particular. A vacuum-packed solution is the only way to ensure that this type of damage is avoided during long-term storage.
Keeping edible items in airtight containers is doubly important, because of course anything which can be eaten will attract those aforementioned critters. Clearing out your kitchen before you travel for long periods is a must in this context.
Vehicle storage
Another important storage consideration for those who travel a lot relates to any vehicles you own. Cars which are left unattended are not just a security risk, but can also be subject to additional wear and tear which will compromise their lifespan and reduce their resale value.
If you have a garage at home, this may be suitable for the long term storage of your vehicle. However, it is worth doubling down on the protection by getting a cover to use even when it is in your garage.
The alternative is to make use of a long term vehicle storage facility, of which many are available. You could just leave it in the long term parking lot at a convenient airport, but again this may not do much good for the condition, especially if it is exposed to the elements.
If you do not want to pay for storage of your vehicle, an alternative is to provide it to someone you know and trust to use as their daily driver. So long as you get the insurance sorted out and you task them with maintaining the car, it could be better to keep it running rather than letting it lay dormant.
WRITTEN BY
Claire Ward