Overnite parking idea

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bobbert

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Hello all, I was wondering, has anyone ever tried an overnighter at a storage-unit facility (more like at a place where you may have items in a storage unit)? I know some storage places have on-site security, but what about the ones that don't have an on-site security guard? Seems like a doable idea-<div>Any thoughts?</div>
 
Most of the ones I've seen had gates with controlled access and the system knows when you come and go. It would be possible to park and then walk to the control touchpad and record your exit. But then they also usually have cameras.
 
Sometimes police are given the code and include these lots on patrol. I had one of my motorcycles in storage and came in to do some spring maintenance. While there - and I was the only one there on that 15F March day - a policeman came rolling thru. <br><br>Many storage places rent RV / boat parking spots. I think that might be a bit more clandestine than a storage-only compound.<br><br>
 
Thanks for the replies, you've both mentioned things that I wouldn't have considered. Better to know now than to go onto a property blindly.
 
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; You might actually be surprised at the amount of people quietly living in the storage units themselves.&nbsp; I know of one locally that looks the other way and there are at least a couple of people living in them.&nbsp; And this is outside of a town of 2500.<br><br>If you had a unit there and were very low key you might be able to do it.&nbsp; <br><br>
 
Yeah, that is what I was trying to lean&nbsp;towards. Even parking inside a unit (if large enough) would be sufficient for me</span></font></span></div>
 
I wouldn't...&nbsp; Some reasons why:<br><br>1. Sensors logs record entry/exits, so the storage checks the amount of entries and exits, of which there better be an even number...lol&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Odd number, and they know someone didn't leave.&nbsp; <br><br>2.&nbsp; They clerk then calls the police, who have all of the storage facility codes on-hand.&nbsp; And, in my case (at the time),&nbsp; I'd sent out the german shepherd to sniff under each door.&nbsp; Badda-bing-badda-boom!&nbsp; He sits down and says, "Yo pops, I got one over here!"&nbsp; <img src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/wave.gif" align="absmiddle" border="0"><br><br><br><br><br>
 
&nbsp;Sensors logs record entry/exits, so the storage checks the amount of entries and exits, of which there better be an even number...lol&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Odd number, and they know someone didn't leave.&nbsp;
<br><br>Sensors on each unit? Yeah, that would foil you for sure. But if the place just keeps track of&nbsp; 'gate lifts', you may be OK. At&nbsp; places where I've rented (just for storage and not for staying), I don't know how many times I've seen two cars go through at once; either coming in or going out (which they are not supposed to do).<br><br>If the facilities have big expensive MHs, boats, construction equipment,etc. and the rates are fairly high, then&nbsp; their surveillance is probably better than if you rented in a podunk area.<br>
 
&nbsp;Sensors logs record entry/exits, so the storage checks the amount of entries and exits, of which there better be an even number...lol&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Odd number, and they know someone didn't leave.&nbsp;
<br><br>Sensors on each unit? Yeah, that would foil you for sure. But if the place just keeps track of&nbsp; 'gate lifts', you may be OK. At&nbsp; places where I've rented (just for storage and not for staying), I don't know how many times I've seen two cars go through at once; either coming in or going out (which they are not supposed to do).<br><br>If the facilities have big expensive MHs, boats, construction equipment,etc. and the rates are fairly high, then&nbsp; their surveillance is probably better than if you rented in a podunk area.<br>
 
Gate openings and load sensors under the gate.&nbsp; Like Ive said before, why not ask?&nbsp;&nbsp; They won't let you stay in one for safety-liability issues, but if you can prove to them you're an outstanding citizen&nbsp; (get a copy of your DL, DMV printout, and rap sheet (hopefully its blank..lol)&nbsp; that offers free security for parking, they may let you park in the yard.&nbsp; Ive known several storage owners that had such agreements.&nbsp; Just sayin'<br><br><br><br>
 
My supervisor fell asleep last week in the storage place. His apt was flooded and he can't move back in. he was throwing stuff out and sorting(where did I hear that before?)he was&nbsp;exhausted and fell asleep in his recliner. He woke up with a start not knowing where he was and .....the door was open all night.&nbsp;
 
Since the downturn in the economy I've read a lot of articles about families living in storage units. You're not supposed to for the many reasons listed above, but there are many facilities that simply don't police the units at all. It's not impossible to do, but you have to know how good security is where ever you choose to rent from.<div><br></div>
 
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