Owning a caravan gives you the freedom to pack up and escape whenever the mood takes you. The less exciting question is what to do with several metres of caravan when you’re not using it.
Keeping it on the drive might work for some households, but it can take up valuable space, make manoeuvring other vehicles awkward and leave the caravan sitting in full view. For owners looking for caravan storage Chesterfield, a dedicated storage facility can offer a practical alternative, but it’s worth looking beyond price and asking exactly what you’re getting for your money.
From security and access to insurance and the condition of the space itself, here’s what to check before choosing somewhere to leave your caravan.
1. Start With Security – Not Price
A cheap storage space isn’t much of a bargain if you spend the entire winter wondering whether your caravan is still there.
Security should therefore be one of the first things you investigate. The Caravan and Motorhome Club recommends looking at features such as perimeter protection, controlled access, CCTV and security lighting when assessing a storage facility. Its guidance also points out that the number and security of entrances and exits matter. One controlled access point is considerably more meaningful if there isn’t an easily accessible way in around the back. More security advice available here: https://www.caravanclub.co.uk/advice-and-training/taking-care-of-your-outfit/caravan-motorhome-storage-facilities/storage-advice/
Useful questions to ask include:
- How is access to the site controlled?
- Is the site securely fenced or otherwise protected around its perimeter?
- Is CCTV in operation?
- Is the area well lit?
- Who else can access the storage area?
- Are there additional security requirements for caravans stored there?
- Can you use your own wheel clamp, hitch lock, alarm or tracker?
You shouldn’t assume that storing your caravan on a secure site means you can forget about its own security devices either. The Caravan and Motorhome Club recommends using good-quality hitch locks and wheel locks or clamps, with alarms and trackers providing additional layers of protection. More information is available here: https://www.caravanclub.co.uk/advice-and-training/taking-care-of-your-outfit/deterring-theft/
Think of caravan security as layers. The harder and more time-consuming your caravan is to remove, the less attractive it becomes to an opportunistic thief.
2. Check When You Can Actually Access Your Caravan
Security and convenience have to work together.
You may find somewhere that appears perfect until you discover you can’t collect your caravan at the time you normally set off on holiday.
Before agreeing to caravan storage in Chesterfield, find out exactly how access works. Are there restricted opening hours? Do you have to arrange collection in advance? Can you access your caravan at weekends and on bank holidays? What happens if you decide on Friday afternoon that the weather looks fantastic and you want to disappear for the weekend?
There isn’t necessarily a right or wrong access policy. Some owners are perfectly happy arranging collection in advance, while others want greater flexibility. The important thing is knowing the rules before you commit.
This is particularly worth considering if you use your caravan frequently throughout spring and summer rather than simply putting it away for several months at a time.
3. Make Sure There Is Enough Space to Manoeuvre
Finding a space large enough for your caravan is only half the job.
You also need to be able to get it into and out of that space.
Ask about the dimensions available and take into account the caravan’s full length and width, including the A-frame. Then think about the route to the storage position.
Are the access roads wide enough? Are there tight corners? Is there sufficient turning room? Can you comfortably hitch and unhitch? Will other stored vehicles make manoeuvring difficult?
If you have a particularly large twin-axle caravan, don’t assume that a facility offering general vehicle storage will automatically have an appropriate space.
A few extra feet of manoeuvring room can make the difference between an easy start to your holiday and a 20-minute argument involving a caravan, a hedge and somebody shouting, “You’ve got loads of room!”
4. Look at the Ground Beneath It
People naturally look at fences, gates and cameras when visiting a storage facility. Remember to look down too.
Consider the surface your caravan will actually be standing on and what it is likely to be like after several days of Derbyshire rain.
A good storage position should allow you to manoeuvre safely without having to drag your caravan through deep mud or badly rutted ground. Drainage is worth considering too, particularly if the caravan will remain in the same place throughout autumn and winter.
Also look at the surrounding area. Are there overhanging branches? Is vegetation likely to rub against the caravan? Does the location appear susceptible to standing water?
These are small details when you’re viewing a space on a sunny afternoon, but they can become considerably more important in January.
5. Check Your Insurance Before Moving the Caravan
This is one of the easiest checks to overlook.
Your existing caravan insurance may contain conditions relating to where the caravan is stored and what security measures must be used.
The Caravan and Motorhome Club advises owners to check that their own cover applies while a caravan is in storage. It also notes that the location of a storage site can potentially affect insurance costs because insurers may take the postcode and associated risk into account. https://www.caravanclub.co.uk/advice-and-training/taking-care-of-your-outfit/caravan-motorhome-storage-facilities/storage-advice/
Don’t simply assume that “secure storage” automatically satisfies the requirements of your particular policy.
Before moving your caravan, contact your insurer and tell them where it will be stored. Check whether there are requirements concerning wheel clamps, hitch locks, trackers, alarms or the type of storage facility you use.
It’s a five-minute conversation that could prevent a much more unpleasant conversation later.
6. Don’t Forget What’s Inside
Your caravan might be safely stored, but what about everything you’ve left in it?
Before long-term storage, remove valuable and unnecessary belongings. That can include portable electronics, documents, expensive accessories and anything else you don’t need to leave behind.
Food is another obvious candidate for removal. Even something you consider non-perishable may become an invitation to pests.
Depending on how long you’re storing the caravan, it’s also sensible to clean the interior, empty bins, leave appropriate ventilation and deal with water systems in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations.
The aim is to open the door several months later and find your caravan exactly as you left it, rather than discovering a smell that makes you immediately close the door again.
7. Give the Tyres Some Attention
A caravan isn’t necessarily maintenance-free just because it isn’t moving.
TyreSafe warns that caravan tyres can deteriorate during extended periods of storage. Owners should look for signs such as cracking, deformation and other damage before returning a caravan to the road. TyreSafe also recommends checking pressures against the manufacturer’s specified levels and inspecting tyres regularly. https://www.tyresafe.org/vehicle-owners/caravan-tyre-safety/inspection-and-checks/
It’s more significant than you might imagine. TyreSafe reported in March 2026 that there were 16,705 incidents involving towed vehicles on England’s Strategic Road Network between 2022 and 2024, with caravans accounting for 32.3% of those incidents. Nearly four-fifths of all the towing incidents recorded were classified as breakdowns. https://www.tyresafe.org/about-tyresafe/latest-news/stored-over-winter-check-your-tyres-before-you-tow/
There’s further caravan-specific advice at https://www.tyresafe.org/vehicle-owners/caravan-tyre-safety/
So, when taking your caravan back out of storage, don’t simply hitch up and head for the Peak District. Check the tyres, including pressures and condition, before setting off.
8. Think About How You Actually Use Your Caravan
The best storage option isn’t necessarily the one with the longest list of features. It’s the one that fits the way you use your caravan.
If your caravan comes out twice a year for longer holidays, occasional access might be perfectly adequate.
If you’re regularly heading away for weekends, convenient access and easy manoeuvring could be much higher priorities.
Likewise, someone storing a small two-berth caravan has very different space requirements from an owner with a large twin-axle model.
Before choosing vehicle storage in Chesterfield, think about:
- How frequently you’ll need access
- The size of your caravan
- How easy it is to tow into and out of the facility
- Whether you’ll need access throughout winter
- The security requirements of your insurer
- How far the storage facility is from home
- How quickly you can collect the caravan when you fancy an impromptu trip
The cheapest option isn’t necessarily the best value if accessing your caravan becomes a chore every time you want to use it.
A Quick Caravan Storage Checklist
Before agreeing to a storage space, check the following:
Security: fencing, gates, access control, CCTV and lighting.
Caravan security: whether you can or must use hitch locks, wheel clamps, alarms and trackers.
Access: opening hours, notice periods and weekend/bank holiday availability.
Space: enough room for your particular caravan and sufficient space for hitching and manoeuvring.
Ground conditions: a suitable surface, sensible drainage and no obvious hazards around the storage position.
Insurance: confirmation from your insurer that the location and security arrangements meet the conditions of your policy.
Preparation: valuables removed, interior cleaned, water systems dealt with appropriately and the caravan prepared for however long it will be standing.
Tyres: correct pressures and regular inspections for deterioration or damage.
Looking for Caravan Storage in Chesterfield?
A caravan should give you more freedom, not leave you wondering where on earth you’re going to keep it between trips.
If you’ve run out of driveway space, don’t want your caravan sitting outside your home or simply want a dedicated place to keep it, Go Store’s caravan and vehicle storage in Chesterfield options could provide the extra space you need.
The key is to choose storage that works for the size of your caravan, the way you use it and the level of access you need. Then, when the next trip rolls around, all that’s left to do is hitch up, check the tyres and decide where you’re going.