The Ultimate Guide to Vehicle Storage in Spanaway, WA
Here in Spanaway, WA we love our vehicles! When the rainy winters clear and roads dry up, there’s no better place to take a nice drive than in Spanaway and around the state of Washington. One of the most iconic drives is the infamous Cascade Loop which gives you one of the best views of the beautiful state of Washington and picturesque moments that will permanently imprint in your mind forever. Not to mention only just north of Spanaway is our local car Museum, the LeMay Collections at Marymount. But, as all Spanaway residents know, weather here isn’t ideal year-round for cruising which means there’s several months where your vehicle will have to spend parked. Unfortunately, it’s not as simple as parking your vehicle in the driveway and locking the doors. The rainy, humid weather can drastically wear on the vehicle’s integrity doing more harm than good. Let’s hop into one of the best ways to store vehicles in Spanaway, WA, so it stays in drive-ready shape for the next season!
Key Takeaways
- Combat Washington Weather: Spanaway’s high humidity and rain can cause rust, mold, and engine degradation; professional storage keeps your vehicle in “drive-ready” condition.
- Ideal for Military Members: Located near JBLM, professional storage provides a secure, reliable solution for service members during long deployments.
- Choosing Your Unit:
- Drive-Up Units: Provide full enclosure and protection from the elements.
- Heated Units: The best choice for classic cars to regulate temperature and lower interior humidity.
- Size Matters: Units range from 10×20 (standard cars) to 20×15 (wider vehicles or extra storage for tools and gear).
- Top-Tier Security: West Coast Self-Storage features 24/7 CCTV, personalized PIN access, and individual cylinder locks.
- Essential Prep: Before storing, wash and wax the exterior, top off fluids with a fuel stabilizer, and use a moisture absorber inside the cabin.
Why Spanaway Residents Need Vehicle Storage
Every home is limited on storage space and vehicles notoriously take up a lot of space. Whether it’s sitting in the garage, driveway, or on the side of the house, cars can take up a lot of essential space that could be used for other purposes. This reigns true especially for larger vehicles like RVs and boats since they’re larger or harder to move around at will.
Being so close to Joint Base Lewis-McChord means Spanaway houses many of our amazing military members. When our members are called for service, they’re forced to leave their families, homes, and vehicles for prolonged periods. Simply parking the vehicle in the driveway or garage isn’t sufficient enough to ensure the vehicle will remain in drive-ready conditions by the time they return.
Between the varying Spanaway weather, potential vehicle break-ins, rodent damages, and general wear and tear from sitting for so long, it could be accumulating more damage just by sitting than being driven daily. Proper vehicle storage means the vehicle will be looked after and well-protected from crime, weather, and slow the natural degradation process significantly.
Finally, the weather in Spanaway, WA is especially harsh on all vehicles, no matter if they’re in-use or sitting in the driveway. The seemingly endless rainy season encourages rust to grow and spread and the humidity caused by the local climate can create a breeding ground for mold. It’s not uncommon for a vehicle that sits for too long to start growing mold in the vehicle’s interior fabric, especially if the heater hasn’t been run for awhile or the vehicle hasn’t been properly aired out. Finally the colder winter weather is harsh on things on critical hoses and engine fluids that aren’t regularly circulating. All of which can be prevented from damages if stored in the right conditions.
Choosing the Right Storage Unit Size and Type for Vehicle Storage in Spanaway, WA
There’s some great options when it comes to storing your vehicle in Spanaway, WA. These options are applicable to most vehicle storage situations, types of vehicles, and storage durations.
Drive Up Access Storage Units
Drive-up storage units are the perfect type of storage unit for most vehicles, because it ensures the vehicle remains inside at all times. Some storage facilities offer outdoor parking spots for those who need a secure vehicle storage, but unfortunately, this doesn’t eliminate the damage completely when it comes to parking in an area that can still be impacted by the weather. A drive-up storage unit offers complete protection against the weather and provides more security for your vehicle since it’s parked inside an actual storage unit.
Heated Storage Units
Heated storage units are the ideal type of storage unit for vehicles, because they reduce exposure to the weather, are more secure since they’re inside, and provide a better regulated storage environment. These types of storage units are also perfect for storing classic or antique vehicles that need optimal storing conditions. Since the storage units are heated, the humidity levels in these types of storage units are lower than they are outside, helping keep the vehicles and all of their components in pristine condition.
Vehicle Storage Unit Sizes
- 10×20 — This is the first recommended size for vehicle storage with a 200 sq. ft. which is commonly enough room for most regular passenger vehicles that don’t exceed 20 feet in length.
- 10×25 — This size storage unit is the next size up from the 10×25 offering similar capacity, except with an additional 5ft in length for longer vehicles. The extra 5ft can make room for storing other items like tools, boxes, or other smaller items you need to store.
- 20×10 — This storage unit size is great for those who have wider vehicles that don’t exceed 10 feet in length. The wider doors make backing in a breeze while also still reserving room for other items that need to be stored in addition to the vehicle.
- 20×15 — For wider vehicles, the 20×15 is perfect for ensuring enough space to safely park. These are also a great size storage unit for those who will be storing other larger items like the tool and shop kits, boxes, furniture, or other equipment.
Key Features of West Coast Self-Storage Spanaway’s Vehicle Storage
Our West Coast Self-Storage Spanaway facility is the go-to solution for vehicle storage in Spanaway, WA. Whether you’re looking for short-term or long-term vehicle storage in Spanaway, WA, you can’t go wrong at our facility.
Security
Storage security is our top priority, so we can leave you with peace of mind. We provide 24/7 high-definition CCTV surveillance strategically placed around the facility to maximize coverage and ensure no activity goes unseen. Another additional layer of security includes personalized facility access PIN codes that grants you permission on the property. Additionally, we require cylinder locks for each storage unit and only you will have the key, we will not keep additional keys to ensure you’re the only one who can access the storage unit.
Convenience
Our West Coast Self-Storage Spanaway facility is located at 19711 Mountain Hwy E, Spanaway, WA, right off Mountain Hwy E meaning you can stop by, check on your vehicle in storage, and get back on the road. We’re in close proximity to Joint Base Lewis-McChord for our troops who need local vehicle storage while on deployment or just trying to create more space around the home. Additionally, we offer modern amenities such as online rental and move-in, autopay, and our own app to help manage your account from your phone. Being one of the newest self-storage facilities in Spanaway, you can also expect a clean and well-lit facility with staff onsite to assist with any problems or concerns.
Essential Tips for Preparing Your Vehicle for Storage in Spanaway, WA
Storing a vehicle in Spanaway, WA, isn’t as simple as parking and locking everything up, there are a few things we recommend to ensure the vehicle remains both in good condition and doesn’t develop problems after storage.
- Cleaning – Wash and wax the exterior to prevent sap or bird droppings from etching the paint, plus it’ll be nice to get the vehicle out of storage and it’s clean and ready for the road!
- Fluids & Fuel – Top off the tank and add a fuel stabilizer; change the oil before long-term storage.
- Battery Care – We suggest a trickle charger or simply disconnecting the battery to ensure the battery stays charged throughout the vehicle’s time in storage.
- Humidity Protection – Even in a heated storage unit, the vehicle will be exposed to a degree of humidity from the Spanaway, WA, weather. Place a moisture absorber in the vehicle to reduce humidity build-up inside the vehicle.
- Car Covers – If you want to go the extra mile in preserving your vehicle while in storage, a car cover is another great option.
Reclaim Your Property Today
Vehicle storage in Spanaway, WA, is essential if you’re anticipating having to park a vehicle for a while. Whether you’re trying to save room around the house, leaving on a trip for a while, or just want to preserve your car collection when you’re not driving, you can’t go wrong storing your vehicle in a storage unit. The Spanaway, WA, weather can be harsh on vehicles even if they’re being used daily, but especially if they sit stagnant for a long time. Vehicle storage will keep your vehicle safe and help preserve it for the long-term to ensure it can continue to serve you for many years to come.
If you’re in the market for vehicle storage in Spanaway, WA, then you need to check out West Coast Self-Storage Spanaway. Not only is this one of the newest storage facilities in Spanaway, but it’s equipped with all the modern security features and amenities of storage while also being built around convenience.
