Tag: RV Parking

Is Your RV Ready For Your Annual Summer Road Trip?

Posted on June 26, 2014 by Amanda Chambers - Lifestyle, Parking

You’ve just taken your RV out of our Springfield RV Storage facility, and you’re gearing up for your summer road trip. It can be tempting to hit the road as soon as possible, however, you’ll want to make sure your RV is in working order so you can avoid any mishaps on the road.

Taking the time now can reduce a lot of heartache in the future. We’re going to highlight the top things you’ll need to do to make sure your RV is in the best shape possible.

1. Under The Hood Inspection

You’ll need to make sure your engine is running smoothly for any cross the country trip you may be imagining. I’m sure you’ve been in a situation in the past when your RV failed to get you from point A to point B.

Some of the most important elements of your design you’ll want to cover are:

• Checking your fluid levels. This includes oil, transmission, hydraulic and coolant fluids.
• Check your belts, hoses, wiring and engine fans.
• Thoroughly inspect the engine compartment.
• Check the battery charge, and ensure it’s holding a charge.
• Ensure your gauges are running effectively.
• Take a quick five minute run to make sure everything is running smoothly.
• Check your engine for any moisture build up or leaks.
• Make sure all of your lights are operating correctly.

The above steps will help you to get started, however, if anything is beyond your realm of expertise feel free to take your RV to a mechanic.

2. Getting The Outside Nailed Down

You’d hate for their to be any peeling paint, rust or a malfunctioning awning that’s trying to ruin your perfect road trip. Do a thorough inspection of the outside of your vehicle and make note of anything that’s outside of the usual.

If something looks like it may become a problem it’s better to simply invest in taking care of the problem now, rather than having it blow up later.

3. Make Sure The Interior Is Complete

The interior of your RV is going to be your home for your entire trip. You’ll want to make sure it’s not only comfortable, but that everything is also in working order. For instance, you’ll want to check all of your batteries, and bring any extra just in case.

You’ll also want to double-check all of the cabinets and appliances to make sure everything is in working order. You’d hate to take off on your road trip and hear the sounds of things falling of the shelves and cabinets clanging.

I hope you’re now well-versed in the steps you need to take to make sure your RV is literally, ready to roll. When you return from your trip and need a place to store your RV, consider our Springfield RV Storage facility, we serve the Alexandria, Woodbridge or Springfield counties and most other counties within Northern Virginia.

How to Prepare Your RV for Winter Storage

Posted on November 4, 2013 by Amanda Chambers - Parking, Storage

Sigh…though we really don’t like this topic because it means that it’s going to start getting colder out, it is important to be prepared when Winter comes. Unless you’re headed to Orlando or Gulf Shores Alabama this Winter, you’ll need to “winterize” your RV so it’s ready when Spring comes around. Here’s a quick checklist of how to prepare your RV for Winter storage:

Turn off everything – turn off the LP gas tank and the thermostat. You’ll also want to empty out your water heater, water tank, and holding tank
Inspect the exterior – check the outside of your RV for any cracks, seals or seam leaks, and repair those. Close all windows and roof vents. Wash and wax your RV, then protect it from the elements with an RV cover
Clean the interior – clean the carpets, counters, and surfaces. Essentially wipe down everything. You don’t want to open your RV after the Winter and find a funky sell. Close the blinds to protect the interior from sunlight
Clean out the fridge – a must-do. Throw out anything perishable in the fridge and cabinets. Defrost your fridge, wipe it down, and place an open box of baking soda to absorb odors
Get your RV a checkup – take your RV to get serviced and lubricated
Check on your RV monthly – even after you’ve put it in storage, it’s good to go by and check on it monthly. The cover may have blown off and you want to just do a visual check for any cuts in the cover or any other damage. Better to catch any problems early!

Needing a place to store your RV for the Winter? Gateway Storage Center has your answer. We provide RV parking and storage solutions for Springfield, Alexandria, Fairfax, and the surrounding Northern Virginia area. We offer flexible terms and affordable prices at our secure facility located right off of I-95 in Lorton, VA.

Give us a call today or stop by to learn more about our RV storage services!

RV Accessories

Posted on October 7, 2013 by Amanda Chambers - Parking

One of the most fun things about RV’s, besides the ability to spontaneously get up and go anywhere whenever you want, is the ability to accessorize. There is nothing more fun that tricking out your RV with the coolest gadgets and gizmos. Don’t forget about the necessities too. From hitches & towing to outdoor furniture and awnings, you can find anything and everything to add to your RV. Here are some examples of categories and RV accessories within each category you might want to look into before embarking on your next road trip:

Air & Heat – heaters, vent covers, fans, thermostats
Appliances – propane regulators, propane camp fires, fire pits, portable grills
Awnings, Screens, & Accessories – collapsible awnings, window screens, step braces, window thermometers
Battery Chargers – batter charger/maintainer, Amp charger
Bedding & Furnishing – oak accents, sheets & towels
Cleaning & Storage – wheel and tire protector, trash bag storage, sealant, roof maintenance
Freshwater Systems – hoses, valves, pumps
Hitching & Towing – D-rings, straps, twine
Jacks & Leveling – wheel chock, leveling blocks, jack pads
Outdoor Furniture – grilling tables, folding chairs
Power & Electrical – extension cables,
Renewable Energy – solar panels, LED safety light
RV & Trailer Covers – camper covers, spare tire covers
Safety Kits – road assistance kits, flares
Waste Water & Sanitation – sewer hose extensions and supports, water filters, holding tank deodorizer

Gateway Storage Center offers parking and storage for RV’s and trailers of all sizes. We service Springfield, Lorton, Woodbridge, and Alexandria, VA. We offer flexible terms, affordable prices, 24-hour gate access, and extra-wide aisle ways for easy navigation. Give us a call today to learn more about our RV parking and storage solutions.

What RV Type is Best for You?

Posted on September 17, 2013 by Amanda Chambers - Parking

We all have our preferences when it comes to our vehicles: trucks vs. cars vs. minivans. When it comes to RVs, there are just about as many choices as red sports cars. When it comes to RVs, there are three main types:

Motorhomes (which include bus conversions)
Travel trailers (also known as towables)
Truck campers

Motorhomes, as the name implies, are your vehicle and living quarters combined. Motorhomes are further broken down into 3 classes:

Class A are the largest and are the ones most people think of when they think of RVs. These are the ones the College Gameday Boys roll around in.
Class B are the smallest, built on a van chassis. Though some live in these full time, most don’t. They’re meant for shorter periods of live-in time.
Class C which are in the middle, also built on a van chassis, and feature the extended section over the cab which normally has an extra bed in it

Towables are the ones you pull behind your truck (or car). They include travel trailers (in British, these are the “caravans”), fifth wheels, teardrop trailer, and pop-up campers. Travel trailers and fifth wheels are the most convenient for long-time living. Fifth wheels are the big boys that need to be pulled by a pickup or heavy duty truck. Some of these can be as big as 40ft-long and weigh up to 18,000 pounds. Travel trailers tend to be less expensive than fifth wheels. Fifth wheels offer more living space and are easier to tow than travel trailers.

Truck campers are temporary units that fit in the bed of your pickup. These are mainly used for hunters, fishermen, and other backwoods travelers. These are popular in North America.

So there you have it: your rundown of RVs. Now you just need to decide what you want an RV for, and then go find the right one that fits your needs.

And when you’ve found the RV that’s perfect for you, you’re going to need a place to store it! Gateway Storage Center provides RV parking and storage for all varieties of RVs. You can even park your towables with your RV. Our secure, well-lit facility features extra-wide aisle ways, snow removal for those Winter days (just around the corner), and 24-hour gate access. We offer affordable rates and flexible terms, so you can choose the option that best fits your RV parking needs.

Give us a call today or stop by and visit us! We’re conveniently located in Lorton, VA, just off of I-95. Hope to see you soon!

MotorHome Magazine: One Stop Site for Requesting Product Info

Posted on January 11, 2012 by Amanda Chambers - Uncategorized

Check out this great new resource for new RV Owners – perfect for first time owners or those in the market. Submit requests online for many types of RV’s, motorhomes and travel trailers as well as insurance, travel tips, helpful towing advice and even financing.

MotorHome Magazine: Making your RV travels easier.

Motorhome Magazine is a publication of the Affinity Group.