my problem(especialy in this economy) is financial planning, I figure the rental is part of the mortgage/rent whichever applies. the wife see's it as "extra" and nags to trim it from the budget. My point is be careful so the storage doesn't become a piont of contention.

 

Actually, she bought this for me. The nag part, is 5 gallon buckets, mason jars of meat, and 50 cal boxes all over the house. I am in a suburban envirmonet with limited storage space. I do have a rural location, but it's a good haul away.

 

Make sure you can back up your BOV real close so you can "load and go" if need be.

 

Well, I suppose they are more secure than the shed in your backyard, and my job has taught me that off-site backups can be a lifesaver (ok thats with computers, but it applies to food as well.)

If the facility seems well-run and they aren't getting robbed every week, then you have little to lose by spreading out your assets. That actually mitigates risk on your end.

If your home is in an area prone to disasters like flooding, your offsite storage unit can serve as a temporary BOL if you toss a cot or two and some sleeping bags in there.

 

It's about 30 yards to the nearest door. I am planning on keeping a dolly there. Might be a good idea. It is definitely the best way to keep food preps cool and stable temp wise. I am very weary about storing ammo and a spare firearm in there.

It was the last 5x10ft climate controlled space they had.

 

Too be honest, i think that this has its own weakness, in that you do not want to have stop off anywhere, if you can help it, between you home and your rural location, which, I presume is your final destination. You are at risk, out on foot, recovering your items, and who's to say the place won't have been looted by the time you get there, at best, and at worst, you get popped off going to it, or at it. It just seems to add another risk factor that you just don't need.
You could use it to store your 'extra' extras, which you might not need, but could be handy, and maybe worth the risk at a later date, when the situation has changed.
What about storing the stuff at your rural place, or you could sell the unit and buy a bigger trailer with a trade in of your smaller one.
Good luck, whatever you decide.
Regards,
John

 

I'll have to check it out before i can answer. Give me the addy and all the codes to get in!...

 

I use a storage unit by my house and it works out great. My only advice would be to only put enough in there that you can discreetly pull it out again. In the middle of a disaster you don't want to be cramming your pickup truck with food and driving home. It would be like tying a sandwich on your back and running across Ethiopia.

 

I think it sounds like a great idea.
However i wouldn't want to keep all my food preps there incase i wasn't able to get there if the SHTF.
I would keep items for long term survival in there, such as gardening and farming tools, extra guns and ammo for hunting and spare clothing.

This way if you aren't able to get to the storage unit for a few weeks you would not loose your food preps.

What is the price of one of these storage units? Surely if the SHTF you wouldn't be paying for it anymore so you would loose it.

 

No room for a shed which you can add a dug out "root cellar"?
Do you use the space under beds for cans? Behind furniture may also be avail.

I feel for you. I feel maxed out on stored food. Pretty much in same boat, but wife is cool with my paranoia.

 

I have pretty much a years worth over here. However, I do expect 2 long term elderly visitors so that supply here is 6 months. The lady of house is starting to feel cramped.

I have a rural BOL, however, the suburban area is on long island. In a large SHTF situation, I will be land locked by closed bridges. I am currently looking into a bug out boat for a 160 mile journey up the hudson river. From there it's a 25 mile hike. Until I get a boat, I consider myself stuck here.

Any sign of fishyness, I will take out the extra preps. Likely, it will only be a pick-up truck load. Maybe take 30 minutes to fill and out of there. I'll likely empty out the storage unit 10 times before I actually need it.

The backyard area is an alleyway for utilities. Buried electric, phone, and gas lines. Could dig w/o hitting them, but the gas man might be freaked out one day.

 

Like Jerry D Young (Moderator here) recommends, get a game cart to help with the hike, it folds and can be put in the boat.
http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/cb.aspx?p=WX2&i=103014

the works of Jerry D Young
http://www.survivalistboards.com/search.php?searchid=1135628

 

My wife is going nuts over me storing all my nuts.

Ahhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!

Sometimes I really have to just be so thankful that I am single and can stack 50 cal ammo cans any damm where I please.

 

The pros is that you have supplies away from your home should a fire occur in your home.

The cons are the extra cost and the risk of theft.

Make sure you have 24/7 access and that an attendant does not need to be there for you to access your unit. Keep in mind, the larger the facility the more people who have access to the inside building. I'd say inside storage is better than outside storage where all a perp has to do is drive up the truck to your unit.

The main thing is not to store your primary preps in the unit. Your primary preps need to be with you where you can get at them quickly. Also, do not store cheap crap; if it's crap then throw it out, don't pay extra money above your mortgage costs to store crap.