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For most of the country, it has been a relatively mild fall season. But, in a few days, winter will officially start. The temperatures will begin to fall and snow might be on the horizon! This means that it might finally be time to store away those summer seasonal items such as lawn mowers, patio furniture, motorcycles, boats and non-winter weather cars. A self-storage unit is a perfect solution to store all of these items and more for the winter months. If you are planning on storing personal belongings over the winter months, make sure that you store your possessions off the floor. This prevents damage from moisture and dampness to your items. It is always good to put protective covering on the floor before you store your belongings. Stop n Stor  has a variety of storage unit sizes that can help in your winter storage needs. There are storage units up to 10×30, which would be perfect to store cars and boats for the off-season.

You can find many tips on how to properly store a car, boat or motorcycle in the vehicle’s owner manual. It is important to read the owner’s manual or consult with your storage facility’s manager before your store these items. There are some basic steps that need to be completed to make sure that your vehicles are prepared for storage:

1. For all vehicles (boat and car), make sure that the interior and exterior of the vehicle is clean. Vacuum the inside of the car to remove any food crumbs and other items. A dirty vehicle could invite vermin in the interior of the car or boat during storage.

2. If the vehicle will be stored for longer than a month, disconnect the battery. In some cases, the owner’s manual might recommend totally removing the battery from the car or boat. If this is the case, store the battery in a clean, dry and warm place.

3. Make any repairs to the car or boat before storage to prevent future problems.

4. For boats-remove any electronics and store them in a warm dry place.

5. For boats-remove cushions, sails, curtains and other materials that could form mildew during storage.

6. Make sure the gas tank and anti-freeze is full for any vehicle in storage. This prevents condensation, oxidation or gas spoilage during the time that the vehicle is in storage. Also, add a fuel stabilizer for your car or motorcycle to prevent gas from breaking down. Drive the vehicle around for 10 miles to let the stabilizer run through the engine.

7. Change the oil and filter one to two days before storage in your car or motorcycle.

8. Use a cotton or wool tarp with good ventilation to cover your vehicle during storage.

9. Check your insurance to make sure your vehicles are covered while in storage.

If you follow these simple tips, your vehicles will be ready for use again for late spring and summer!