The monthly rate you see advertised is rarely the whole story with caravan storage. Between setup fees, access charges and the drive back and forth, the "cheaper" option can end up costing more over a year.
We normally store ours at the house, either in the carport or out front. That's because we live in remote regional towns and there are no storage facilities nearby. If we lived near a larger town, we'd store it somewhere safe.
Work out what type of space you actually need
Open-air, undercover, or a fully enclosed lockup are three different things at three different price points. Undercover doesn't always mean the whole van's covered — check how far the roof actually extends, especially over the drawbar and anything mounted on the back. Enclosed doesn't always mean individually locked — some sheds are shared. Go and look at the actual bay, don't just book off a website description.
Measure the whole rig, not just the van's advertised length
Measure front of the coupling to the back of anything fitted — aircon, antennas, bike racks, the lot. Then check the gate width and turning space, not just whether the van fits in the bay once it's in there. A van that fits stationary can still be a nightmare to reverse in.
Get quotes with the same info to everyone
Give every place the same measurements, start date and how often you'll need access, so you're comparing apples with apples. Ask each one what they can't confirm rather than assuming.
Work out the real annual cost, not just the rate
A weekly rate × 52, a four-weekly rate × 13, and a monthly rate × 12 — don't mix these up, a "four weeks" billing cycle isn't a calendar month. Then add on anything else: setup fees, access charges if you visit more than the free allowance, and — this one catches people out — the actual cost of driving there and back every time you need to get in.
Here's a genuinely made-up example to show why the cheaper rate isn't always cheaper:
| Facility A | Facility B | |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly rent (×12) | $2,160 | $2,520 |
| Setup fee | $80 | $0 |
| Access charges (6 visits) | $150 | $0 |
| Travel to and from (12 trips) | $360 | $120 |
| Annual total | $2,750 | $2,640 |
Facility A's rent looks $360 cheaper, but once you add in the extras, B actually comes out $110 ahead for the year — mostly because it's closer to home and doesn't charge for access.
Check who actually insures it while it's stored
Most storage facilities don't cover your van or its contents — that's still on your own policy. Give your insurer the storage address and security details, and ask whether anything changes about your cover while it's there (especially if you're on a reduced "lay-up" rate).
Read the exit terms before you sign anything
How much notice do you need to give? Do you get any of a prepaid year back if you sell the van or leave early? What happens if a payment's missed? Get this sorted before you pay anything upfront, not after.
Prices and availability change — always get a current written quote before booking.