Why Ohio winters are hard on RVs and boats
Ohio does not get the coldest winters in the country, but it gets some of the most annoying ones for stored vehicles: repeated freeze-thaw swings instead of one steady deep freeze. Water expands, contracts, and works its way into seams over and over.
- Freeze damage — water left in plumbing lines, water heaters, pumps, or an engine block can crack fittings and housings.
- Snow and ice load — wet Ohio snow is heavy, and it pools on flat RV roofs and boat covers, stressing seams and support bows.
- UV and weather exposure — sun, sleet, and wind cycles degrade decals, gel coat, seals, and canvas faster than most owners expect.
- Rodents — mice move into engine bays, ductwork, and upholstery in fall and chew wiring all winter.
- Battery drain — cold accelerates self-discharge, and a flat battery left through winter often will not come back.
Indoor heated storage vs. outdoor gated storage
Our Mansfield facility offers both: a heated indoor warehouse and a secure gated outdoor lot. Neither is automatically the right answer.
Indoor heated storage removes the weather variable completely. No snow load, no UV, no freeze-thaw on your seals, and a much lower risk of moisture problems inside the cabin. It is the better choice for newer or higher-value rigs, anything with a fiberglass roof or delicate finish, boats you want to keep showroom-clean, and owners who would rather not fully winterize the plumbing.
Outdoor storage in a gated, paved lot costs less and is a solid choice for a well-winterized trailer, a workhorse camper, or an older boat under a quality cover. You get it off your driveway, out of the street, and behind a gate — you just accept that Ohio weather still touches it.
How does $12.50 per linear foot per month work?
Vehicle storage — indoor or outdoor — is $12.50 per linear foot per month. Linear feet simply means the total length of what you are parking, measured front to back including anything that sticks out.
That single rate keeps quoting honest: a 24-foot travel trailer costs less than a 38-foot fifth wheel because it takes less space, and you are not guessing at which arbitrary size tier you fall into.
How do I measure my linear feet?
Measure the whole footprint, not the brochure number. Manufacturer 'lengths' frequently exclude the tongue, the swim platform, or the spare tire carrier — all of which take up real floor space.
- Travel trailer or fifth wheel — measure from the tip of the hitch or pin box to the rear bumper.
- Boat on a trailer — measure from the trailer tongue to the furthest rear point, including the outboard or swim platform.
- Motorhome — bumper to bumper, and add anything mounted on a rear hitch carrier.
- Round up to the next full foot, and tell us about ladders, racks, or spare carriers when you call.
Do I have to winterize before storing?
For outdoor storage, treat winterization as mandatory. For heated indoor storage there is much less freeze risk, but a basic prep still protects your rig and keeps pests out. Here is a practical checklist for each.
- RV: drain fresh, grey, and black tanks; blow out or antifreeze the water lines; bypass and drain the water heater; clean out all food; remove or tender the batteries; top off the fuel and add stabilizer; seal openings against mice.
- Boat: flush and drain the engine and run antifreeze per your manual; fog the cylinders if recommended; change the oil and lower-unit gear oil; drain the livewell, bilge, and fresh-water system; stabilize fuel; pull the batteries; cover so water sheds instead of pooling.
- Both: vacuum crumbs and remove anything edible, crack a vent if stored indoors, and take out electronics, life jackets, and anything you would hate to lose to moisture.
Where the facility is
We are on State Route 13 in Mansfield, about a mile north of SR-30, with I-71 within five to seven miles. That makes it a straightforward drop for owners coming from Ontario, Lexington, Shelby, Ashland, Wooster, Mount Vernon, and Marion — pull off the highway, park it, and go home.
To reserve a spot or check availability, call or text 844-644-STOR (7867), or email info@mobistor.me. Spaces tend to fill in October and early November.
Frequently asked questions
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