Storage units

Storage units are a useful option for those nomads who spend most of their time in or near one city, or otherwise return to it regularly. If you are staying in one place, or in a smaller vehicle like a car or SUV, the storage unit is a great option for keeping some of your belongings safe and out of your way.

Some nomads get storage units in multiple cities. Snowbirds who regularly travel between two places may have a storage unit in each, which contains seasonal clothing and gear that is appropriate for that place but not the other.

If you have important documents or valuables to store, you may wish to get a safety deposit box at a bank instead or in addition to a storage unit. More on storage unit security below.

If you have removed seats, bulkheads, or other components from your vehicle, a storage unit is a great spot for them if you don't want to sell or trash them.

Storage units are sometimes counterproductive: They act as both a financial, and literal anchor, keeping you stuck. You may hang on to more possessions than you really need or want, just because the space is there.

Living in a storage unit

You will almost certainly never be allowed to camp or sleep in a storage unit, even if your vehicle fits inside. They are not designed for human habitation, and safety features like sprinkler systems and fire alarms may not be present. If you are caught you will likely not be allowed to rent a storage unit from that company any longer. (If you're an involuntary nomad, see the Emergency quick start page for additional tips.) Avoid doing things in your storage unit that are really camping activities, like preparing food, showering, relaxing for long periods, etc.

Some nomads use a storage unit for hobbies and small projects that aren't practical in a vehicle. Controlled temp [units] allow you to take your time, get out of the heat/cold/rain/snow. If possible, get a unit across from a window, for natural light and something to look at. Put a folding table and chair inside, with a light. It's a quiet place where you can sit alone and think, or do a small project, or sort clothing, etc.

Organization recommendations

Use hard-sided plastic storage bins/totes for everything you put into storage. No cardboard boxes. No plastic bags. No loose stuff unless it's not practical or already comes with its own container. If it can fit in a bin it should. You may want multiple sizes: big bins for lightweight items such as clothing, and smaller bins for heavier things such as books and electronics. If you can get a single brand/style of bin for all your belongings, this will make stacking and nesting bins easier.

If you do need to use your storage unit as a place to change clothes or do other activities, you can create a privacy wall out of your stacked bins.

Try to keep common/related things in the same bin: summer clothes bin, winter clothes bin, book bin, etc. Transparent bins are nice because you can see into them. Opaque/solid bins are nice because a thief can't.

Every time you go back to the unit, ask yourself why you're keeping all that stuff. If an item is inexpensive, easy to replace, and/or you haven't needed it in a year or more, you probably want to dispose of it.

Security

Theft does happen. Security at storage facilities is not always as great as advertised, and thieves will break through gates or fences or just wait for the gate to be up. Try to keep valuables near the bottom and where they can't be seen by someone just looking in. Thieves are looking for things they can easily take and easily sell; if they don't see anything good quickly they'll move on to the next unit.

You have three lines of defense for your stuff in storage. The first is the security of the entire facility (gates, fences, cameras). The second is your unit security (the lock on it, perhaps the strength of the door and whether it is indoors). The third, which you have the most control over, is how the inside of the unit is presented to someone who breaks into it.

Get a lock that cannot easily be opened with bolt cutters. This means as little clearance as possible between the lock and the door/wall. You won't really know what works best until you see the locking mechanism, but a discus-style lock generally works well. Make several copies of the key; store them in multiple places in your vehicle, and if possible, with a trusted person or in an otherwise-secure location. Sharing a storage unit with a friend helps with this. Popular YouTube channel LockPickingLawyer demonstrates many different kinds of padlocks and shows you their strengths and weaknesses.

Cost

Many people see paid storage units as too expensive, and you can still fall into to paying more than you should to store stuff that doesn't need to be kept. But if done right, it lets you live out of your vehicle much more efficiently, by making it less cluttered and less of a target for thieves, for the price of about a tank of gas a month.

Be cautions of unscrupulous businesses that offer introductory rates that increase without notice, autopay that gets canceled, etc.

Storage units gallery

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