Car Storage

Important Car Storage Considerations

Security

When storing a car in self storage, you want to be confident that the facility is secure. With electronic gate access, video surveillance, and even on-site managers at certain locations, Extra Space Storage takes security seriously.

Access Hours

The convenience of being able to access your car when you need it should be a major factor when renting car storage. At Extra Space Storage, extended access hours are standard.

Local Weather

The weather in your area will play a big role in which type of auto storage you decide to rent. For example, if you’re in an area with harsh storms, storing your car in a storage unit should be a strong consideration.

Types of Storage for Cars

With indoor storage, outdoor storage, and even covered vehicle storage space for cars, there’s something that will work for you. Below, we’ll walk through the benefits of each option based on level of convenience, protection, and general affordability.

Indoor Car Storage

Can you store a car in a storage unit? Yes, you can! Drive-up storage units provide an indoor, garage-like storage space for cars. With varying unit sizes available at Extra Space Storage locations, anything from a compact car to a large pickup truck or commercial cargo van can be stored in these units. The common storage unit sizes for cars include:

• 10×15: Some compact cars
• 10×20: Sedans, SUVs, vans, pickups, and more
• 10×25: Large pickup trucks and vans

Because of the protection this storage option provides, drive-up access units are great for long-term car storage, storing classic or sports cars, or storing a vehicle in an area with harsh weather conditions.

Outdoor Car Storage

If you live in an area with amazing weather or prefer a more affordable self storage solution for your vehicle, outdoor car storage is a great option. Many Extra Space Storage locations offer outdoor parking spaces that can easily accommodate cars of all sizes.

Covered Car Storage

With a roof protecting your vehicle from the sun and other elements, covered car storage falls between indoor and outdoor storage. This option is more affordable than indoor storage and but also provides better protection against sun, snow, hail, and other elements that could damage your vehicle. If you don’t live in an area with harsh weather or strong storms, this is a great option for storing your car.

What Size Storage Unit Do You Need for a Car?

If you’ve decided indoor vehicle storage is the best option for your car, the next step is identifying what storage unit size is needed for your car. Let’s take a closer look at the different options available at Extra Space Storage.

10×15 Storage Units

10×15 self storage units are great for many compact cars. Be sure to measure or look up the dimensions of your vehicle when researching. Though you might think your car needs a 10×20 storage unit, if it does fit in a 10×15, you can save money!

Car Examples:

• Mini Cooper: 12.6 feet
• Honda Fit: 13.3 feet
• Volkswagen Golf: 13.8 feet
• Toyota Corolla iM: 14.2 feet
• Ford Fiesta: 14.5 feet

10×20 Storage Units

10×20 self storage units are perfect for the majority of automobiles. Sedans, crossovers, SUVs, minivans, and many pickup trucks can be parked in these storage units with room to spare.

Car Examples:

• Nissan Rogue (crossover): 15.4 feet
• Honda Accord (sedan): 15.8 feet
• Ford Explorer (SUV): 16.5 feet
• Chrysler Pacifica (minivan): 17.0 feet
• Toyota Tundra (pickup truck): 19.0 feet

10×25 & 10×30 Storage Units

For vehicles like pickup trucks with large cabs or commercial cargo vans, a 10×20 unit won’t provide enough room. This makes 10×25 and 10×30 self storage units popular for commercial vehicle use.

Car Examples:

• Chevrolet Express (cargo van): 20.3 feet
• GMC Sierra 3500 (crew cab & long box): 21.5 feet
• Ford F-350 (crew cab & long box): 22.2 feet

Outdoor & Covered Parking Sizes for Cars

When it comes to outdoor parking spaces, the size you’ll most commonly find at Extra Space Storage is 8×20. Like the 10×20 drive-up storage unit, 8×20 outdoor parking spaces can accommodate almost any auto storage need. And without the constraints of walls and a rolling door that needs to shut, these outdoor storage units offer more wiggle room for pickup trucks and commercial vehicles.

Identifying the Best Auto Storage Options for You

Whether you need short-term vehicle storage or you plan to store a car for six months, a year, or longer, your reason for using self storage will impact the solution you choose. Use the information provided below to help make your decision when renting car storage at Extra Space Storage.

Storing a Car Over the Winter

Classic car and sports car owners often winterize cars and put them into storage during the winter. A storage unit provides a safe storage environment for these cars during the off-season and means they won’t get in the way of vehicles that will be used during winter months. Learn more about classic car storage tips and how to winterize a car for storage.

Suggested Car Storage Solution: Indoor

Storing a Car During Military Deployment

For active military being deployed, a self storage unit can provide secure, long-term auto storage. Be sure to read the information in the “Preparing Your Car for Storage” section below as well.

Suggested Car Storage Solution: Indoor

Storing a Car While Living in a Large City

If you’ve moved to a large city where public transportation is easily accessible, you might find that you don’t need a car on a regular basis. In this case, renting auto storage can be a great option. If you do plan to use your car on a semi-regular basis, outdoor storage might work as well and could save you money.

Suggested Car Storage Solution: Indoor, Outdoor, or Covered

Storing a Car for a Teenage Child

If you’ve recently upgraded your car and want to save the old one for a soon-to-be 16-year-old child, using self storage can help so you’re not constantly moving cars around at home just to get in and out of your own driveway. Since this might be a long-term vehicle storage need, indoor storage is recommended.

Suggested Car Storage Solution: Indoor

Storing a Business Car or Truck

If you have a business vehicle like a pickup truck with a trailer or a cargo van that you can’t park at home, storing at Extra Space Storage is a good option. Since these cars are used regularly, outdoor storage will be the most accessible option. If you prefer the vehicle to be more protected, however, a larger drive-up storage unit can also do the trick.

Suggested Car Storage Solution: Indoor, Outdoor, or Covered

Storing a Car During a Life Transition

If you’re in the middle of a life transition like moving, you may need short-term self storage. This might include storing a vehicle for a month or two. In this situation, outdoor vehicle storage is typically the best option. However, if you’re moving during the winter or want more protection for your car, indoor storage works as well.

Suggested Car Storage Solution: Indoor, Outdoor, or Covered

How to Prepare Your Car for Storage

Though these tips become more important when storing a car for six months or longer, it’s still a good idea to take the appropriate measures to protect your vehicle, even if you’re using self storage for only a month or two.

Give Your Car a Thorough Cleaning

When putting a car away into long-term vehicle storage, a good cleaning is highly recommended. This is a simple step that protects your car from buildup that could damage the paint and lead to rust.

Change the Oil

For long-term car storage, changing the oil can keep your car in great condition. Old oil can have contaminants that damage the engine over an extended period of time.

Disconnect the Battery

This is especially important when storing a car over the winter. If a battery sits in the cold, and the car isn’t used for an extended period of time, it will lose its charge. You can use a trickle charger at home to make sure that it’s ready to go when you take your car out of storage.

Protect Against Rodents

It’s best to take all precautions to keep rodents out of your car if it’s going to be sitting unused for a while. Covering the exhaust pipe and air intake is recommended. You can also set traps inside of your storage unit to stop rodents before they make it to the vehicle.

Avoid Flat Spots on Your Tires

Especially if storing long term, you’ll need a plan to avoid flat spots on your tires. If you’re able to, simply starting the car and driving it periodically can help to avoid this. If that’s not an option, there are products like tire saver ramps that will help to keep your tires round.

Invest in a Quality Car Cover

For outdoor car storage, a cover is essential. An auto cover protects your vehicle from both sun and precipitation. Both of these can do extensive damage if a car is stored outside for long periods of time. Some who use indoor storage even opt to use a car cover for added protection from dust.

Extra Space Storage has vehicle storage guidelines that our customers must follow. 

Car Storage FAQs

Can I store a car long term?

Yes! Leases at our storage facilities are month to month, so you can store a car for as long as is necessary.

Can I work on a car in a storage unit?

While you can store your car in a storage unit, we do not allow for customers to use our storage units as a vehicle workshop. Extensive maintenance and repairs must be done elsewhere.

Are vehicle registration and proof of insurance required?

Though you may not be driving your car for a while, it must remain registered and insured to be in a self storage unit. Talk with your insurance agent about switching to a less-expensive temporary coverage plan, as vehicle insurance laws vary from state to state. Common coverage plans for cars in storage are seasonal and comp-only. If you park an uninsured vehicle in a storage unit, you run the risk of receiving a citation or having your license suspended. Don’t forget to switch your insurance when your car is back on the road.

Can I fit a car in a 10×10 storage unit?

No, 10×10 storage units aren’t big enough for most U.S. cars. We didn’t mention 10x10s above because the only car in the U.S. that’s less than 10 feet in length is the Smart Fortwo.

What if my car doesn’t fit in the storage unit I reserved?

If you arrive at one of our locations and the storage unit isn’t quite big enough for your vehicle, we’ll work with you to find a larger storage unit that will work. If you’ve overestimated how much space you need, we can help you get into a smaller storage unit to save you some money.

Rent Secure Car Storage Near You Today!

Ready to reserve vehicle storage at Extra Space Storage? Give us a call! If you have any questions at all, let us know. Our team is here to help however we can. Rest assured that your car will be safe with us, too. We take facility security seriously. With security features like electronic gate access, perimeter fencing, video surveillance, and even resident managers at select locations, your vehicle will be in good hands.