Avalon Storage RV & Boat Storage Facility

RV Storage & Boat Storage Units

at Avalon Storage in Redding CA

RV Storage

State of the Art RV Storage Facility

Are you looking for an RV storage facility in Redding, CA? Look no further! Avalon Storage is a family owned and operated storage facility which offers a wide range of storage sizes, as well as convenient RV, Boat and Mini Storage options. We even have room for semi-trucks and heavy equipment. Whatever your needs, we have you covered.

Did you know that parking your RV, trailer, or boat in front of your house is not allowed in the city of Redding? It is also prohibited to park it in your driveway according to Redding’s municipal code. You must park your RV in your side yard, behind a 6-foot fence. Maneuvering your RV in and out of such a space is, at best, cumbersome. When you return home from your road trip this season, save yourself the headache; allow Avalon to take care of your RV storage needs. Our pull-through parking guarantees easy access for campers and RVs.

Avalon Storage is located off Airport Road in Redding.

530-221-1321

Our Motorhome and RV Storage Offers

How to Prepare Your RV for Storage

Before you bring your RV to Avalon Storage, we suggest taking the following steps:

Take your RV out for one last drive

Listen for any unusual sounds coming from the engine or undercarriage. Take note of any difficulties with steering, acceleration, or breaking. Pull over and visually inspect the engine and tires for damage. Lastly inspect the body. If you notice any problems, take your RV to a mechanic before you perform any of the following steps.

Turn off the gas and propane tanks

Turn off all appliances that require either gas or propane. Remove the propane tanks. Top them off and store in a cool, dry place, such as a low shelf in your garage or storage shed.

Empty water tanks

Both freshwater and wastewater tanks will need to be emptied.

For your fresh water tanks, we recommend the following:

FRESHWATER TANK PREP

Empty your fresh water tank
Fill it three-quarters full of clean water
Pour in 10 ounces of bleach
Let sit for one hour
Empty the tank again
Follow the same procedure, but this time let sit for 30 minutes
Flush system 3 times with clean water
Empty it one last time
Your fresh water tank is now sanitized and ready for storage
(Remember to refill it with clean water before your next trip!)

Let’s take a moment to talk about wastewater tanks. Make sure you clean your black water tank before your gray water tank. You use the same sewer hose for both. Your grey water tank carries soap residue, so cleaning it last will flush the hose with fragrant cleansers and leave your hose will smelling fresh.

The black water tank takes considerably more time to clean because fecal matter hardens and sticks to the inside of the tank. If you leave waste in your tank, it dries, clogging the lines and creating foul odors. Use an enzyme treatment to clean away hard water deposits and sludge.

For wastewater tanks, we recommend the following:

BLACK WATER TANK PREP

Clean your black water tank first
Empty tank at proper disposal facility
Use enzyme treatment
Each treatment protocol differs, so follow the guidelines on your package for cleaning and emptying your tank

GREY WATER TANK PREP

Clean your grey water tank second
Dissolve 20 ounces of water softener in a gallon of hot water
Pour it down the sink
Backfill the tank with clean water
Drive around for 20 minutes to mix the solution well
Stop and drain the tank
Backfill again, this time without water softener
Drain
Repeat the backfill process until the water runs clear
Now it’s ready for storage

Winterize the engine

Top off or change the oil, radiator, windshield wiper and brake fluids. Fill up the gas tank and add the appropriate amount of stabilizer. This will keep the fuel from breaking down and keep moisture from getting in the tank. Once you have added the fuel and stabilizer, run the RV for a few minutes to spread the stabilizer around.

Dry out your pipes

Once your tanks are empty you will need to dry out your pipes. This is especially important in the winter months when your pipes can freeze and crack. There are several ways to do this, but your best option is to review the owner’s manual or check with an RV mechanic to ensure it is done properly.

Scrub your refrigerator

Whether you can see it or not, mold makes its home in even the tidiest refrigerator. If left to spread, it will cover every surface. Warm temperatures and stagnant air create the perfect breeding ground, so it proliferates while your RV is in storage. We recommend you scour your refrigerator and freezer with a solution of water and bleach in a 10 to 1 ratio. After you finish, prop both doors open to guarantee you don’t have any surprises come spring.

Check your roof

If you’re storing your RV in one of our open spaces, it’s imperative you check the condition of your RV’s roof. Leaks can cause irreparable damage. Close the roof vents. Check the silicon seams, the caulking, and the rubber seals. If you find any worn or cracked, repair them immediately. This step may save you thousands in repair bills. Next, cover inside vents with mesh to keep the critters out. Make time for a thorough inspection at least once before you store it for the winter.

Invest in rodent prevention

Squirrels and mice love nothing more than making cozy homes in your warm, dry, vacant motorhome. They gnaw on rubber components and chew through wiring, not to mention the devastation they cause to your poor chair stuffing.

To prevent this invasion, inspect the underside of your vehicle. Seal any vents or openings which lead to the interior of the vehicle. You can fill the gaps with silicone, expanding foam, or in the case of exhaust vents, try steel wool.Next, head inside. Open each drawer and cabinet. Check the corners and crevices. If you can see daylight, mice can crawl in. Stuff those holes.

Remove all food and nesting materials, including things like soap, toothpaste and paper towels. Vacuum every crumb out of every corner. Really. Nothing attracts pests more than food.

Finally, set mouse traps in corners and around drains. Use insect spray freely and place ant traps in the refrigerator.

Service your engine

Change and/or fill your oil, antifreeze, transmission fluid, power steering fluid, and brake fluid. Also, add a fuel stabilizer if you plan to park your vehicle for more than 30 days.

Cover your RV tires

If you plan on utilizing RV storage for a few months at a time, it is a good idea to cover the tires. This prevents damage from cold weather and wear spots. When using an RV storage facility, it would be good idea to get a cover to keep your RV or camper safe from any and all elements. The Goodyear recreational tire care guide recommends you:

Unload your vehicle so minimum weight is distributed on the tires.
Inflate tires to their recommended operation pressure. Then add an additional 25%, but make certain you don’t exceed your rim manufacturer’s inflation capacity!
Clean your tires with mild soap and water to remove any oil, grease, and dirt.
Move your vehicle, at minimum, every three months to prevent rubber cracking.
Place your RV on blocks when possible to remove weight from the tires. If you can’t, make certain your storage surface is firm, well-drained, and reasonably level.

Invest in a good cover

A good RV cover will prevent mold and mildew, and protect the outer shell from the elements. They’re like enormous blankets. They come in just about every shape and color imaginable, so pick out one which suits your personality. Make certain it’s made of breathable material and fits snuggly on your vehicle. It should allow for air to circulate freely, yet remain secure in high winds. Those are really the only requirements.

Invest in extra protection

Chain your wheels or use a wheel lock for additional security.

Purchase RV insurance

Contact your local RV insurance company to change your policy to “storage only” coverage. It’s cheap and it’ll give you peace of mind.

530-221-1321

Boat Storage

Our Boat Storage Facility

Contact Us

530-221-1321

Our Boat Storage Offers

Top 4 Reasons Why You Should Store Your Boat

Winter is coming

Enjoy your boat all summer long, but when winter arrives, store it in an environment free from the harsh weather and blowing debris. Keep it safe at Avalon.

Free up more space

Boats take up space. They’re difficult to maneuver in an out of your yard or garage. A storage facility takes the stress out of the equation and frees up valuable space on your property.

It’s the Law

For aesthetic reasons, the City of Redding prohibits you from parking or storing your boat curbside or in your driveway. A boat storage facility saves you the hassle of a costly ticket and time in court.

Increase your boat’s lifespan

Boats constantly thrashed by water suffer more damage than boats placed in dry storage. Therefore, leaving your boat at the dock may not be the best option. Dry storage increases your boat’s lifespan.

Tips to Preparing your Boat for Winter Storage

Head to the water

Take your boat out one last time this season. Pack up your cooler. Slop on the sunscreen. And don’t forget the notebook and pen.

That’s right, this is more than just a pleasure cruise. It’s time to look, listen, smell, and scribble. Pay close attention to your engines(s) and electronic equipment.

Run your little speed demon full out for a few minutes as you listen for unusual sounds. Smell the engine housing. Do you notice anything irregular? Can you see any leaks? What about in the electronics? Does everything appear to be running properly? Take notes.

After you dock, investigate both the interior and exterior for damage. Jot down anything you find, and prepare your tool belt for the next step.

Repair and Maintenance

It’s time to either put that fancy tool belt of yours to work or take your boat to a professional mechanic. Extreme fluctuations in temperature and humidity can create any number of catastrophes out of what might otherwise only be minor problems: cracked fuel lines rupture; blistered hulls burst; unreliable electronics perish.

Know the scope of your mechanical prowess. If a problem is too big, let go your pride and take it to a professional. See a pro when you need one. If not for the sake of safety, then do it for the money. Small blunders made today will cost dearly tomorrow.

Service Your Engine

Before long-term storage, give your boat its annual checkup. If you don’t know how, take it to a — dare I use the P-word again?—professional to have the engine serviced.

Check and clean the spark plugs, recoil starter, carburetor, water pump, etc. Double check your hoses, and confirm all clamps and other fastenings are secure. Change the fuel filter while you’re at it, so you’re ready to jump in the water as soon as spring rolls around.

Change the Oil

Run the engine. Afterward, flush out the oil tank to clear it of water, acid, and other debris which corrodes engine parts. It’s best to do this step while the oil is still warm, as it drains more easily. Next, replace the filter and pour in new oil. Engine oil thickens both from cold weather and long periods of dormancy. It will clog the engine the next time you try to start it. Do the work now and save on the expense later. Are you seeing a pattern here?

Fill Gas Tank

Top it off to prevent condensation from forming. According to goldeagle.com, you should add a fuel stabilizer if you plan to store your boat longer than 30 days. “They keep gas fresh for 12 months, and help prevent corrosion, and gum and varnish formation.”
After it’s in, run the engine for twenty minutes to guarantee the stabilizer distributes evenly throughout the gas lines and rest of the system.

Apply Fogging Oil

What is fogging oil? According to our friends at goldeagle.com “It is an aerosol petroleum treatment for long-term lubrication and corrosion resistance. When properly administered, it forms a thin film on metal components that, unlike oil, remains intact with time.” In other words, it coats and protects critical engine components while your boat is in storage.
Fogging your engine can be a simple or complicated process depending on a few factors. We recommend reading this article by boatus.com or this article by boatingmag.com for more information.

Antifreeze

Drain the coolant. Flush the system out with water. Replace the coolant with new antifreeze diluted to your engine’s specifications. Well, that was simple.

Drive Belts

Either reduce the tension on the drive belts considerably, or remove them altogether. If you leave the belts stored under tension, small cracks or larger splits will occur when ambient temperatures fluctuate during winter months.

Steering Mechanism

Grease both the steering mechanisms and control mechanisms. Any marine grease will work. Grease every joint. Double-check to ensure each moves smoothly before moving on to the next step.

Electronics

Cold, damp conditions shorten the life of electronics. Be smart. Remove what you can and store it at home.

Batteries

Disconnect your battery. Clean the cables and terminals. Be sure to wear protective gloves when working around thecorrosive gunk near the terminals (That stuff can chew through leather). Top the battery off with distilled water. Find a safe shelf in your garage to store it until next season.

Note: Your battery will continue losing charge as it sits on your shelf. To extend the life of your battery, recharge it to full capacity every three weeks using a marine battery charger.

Clean your boat

Scrub every inch inside and out. Scour every cranny of the deck and hull, removing the dirt, oils, and salty residue responsible for eating through your paint job. After that, wipe down these same surfaces with either a bleach solution (1 part bleach to 10 parts water), or a detergent solution, as recommended by the Environmental Protection Agency. Afterward wipe everything down with clean, dry towels.

Circulate air throughout the boat. Open every seat, locker, and drawer. Tie open every door. Air out all the possible mildew factories. Place moisture absorbers throughout the interior. Expose every surface and make certain it’s bone dry before you proceed to the next step.

Wax

You’re almost home! Once you finish the above, add a coat of wax to the underside, deck, and topside. This layer of wax locks in moisture and prevents corrosion. This is a step often neglected by owners, but it can extend the life of your boat by years and increase its resale value.

Cover

If you haven’t already done so, purchase a cover. We recommend covers from West Marine. As you search, look specifically for those which include proper ventilation and UV Protection. They will protect your boat from the sun, the elements, and pests.

Exhaust Ports

Speaking of pests, take a few strips of duct tape and cover your boats exhaust ports. It’ll keep the little vermin out. Just be sure to remove the tape before heading back in the water next summer.

530-221-1321