Storage know-how for the Gulf Coast

The short answer: the easiest way to move is to spread it out. Use a storage container as a staging area: move seasonal and non-essential items in first, keep only what you need for daily life, and bridge any gap between move-out and move-in dates.

8 weeks out: plan and declutter

• Book your storage space and movers or truck rental.
• Walk through each room and sort items into keep, store, sell, and donate.
• Measure large furniture and doorways at the new place.

6 weeks out: move the non-essentials

• Pack holiday decorations, out-of-season clothes, extra linens, books, and hobby gear.
• Take them to storage. If you're selling, your home will show more spacious and photograph better.

4 weeks out: pack room by room

• Pack rooms you use least first: guest room, garage, dining room.
• Label every box on two sides with the room and a short contents list.
• Change your address with USPS, banks, and utilities.

2 weeks out: confirm everything

• Confirm movers, closing dates, and utility transfers.
• Pack an "open first" box per person: chargers, medications, toiletries, a change of clothes.

Moving week: the gap problem

Closing dates slip. Leases don't line up. Storage turns a stressful gap into a non-event: load everything into your container, live light for a few days, then move into the new home on your schedule. With 24/7 access at E-Z Storage, you can load early in the morning or late at night when the heat and traffic are lower.

Which size do you need?

Moving soon in Hitchcock, Texas City, La Marque, League City, or Galveston? Request a quote or call 713-702-8451.

The short answer: to store an RV long term in Texas, protect it from sun, moisture, and pests. Cover the tires and windshield, drain and sanitize the tanks, maintain the batteries, seal entry points against rodents, and park it on a level, secured lot.

Exterior and tires

• Inspect roof seams and sealant and touch up any cracks. A small leak over months of rain can rot a floor.
• Cover the tires. Texas UV breaks down rubber long before tread wears out. Inflate to the maximum cold pressure listed on the sidewall.
• Use a windshield sunshade to protect the dash and seats.
• Retract awnings and slides and make sure they're completely dry first.
• Chock the wheels and level the RV so water drains off the roof.

Plumbing and tanks

• Dump and flush the black and gray tanks, then close the valves.
• Drain the fresh water tank and water heater. Sanitize the fresh tank if storing longer than a month.
• Leave the faucets cracked open so pressure doesn't build up in the lines.

Power

• Disconnect house and chassis batteries, or use the battery disconnect switch.
• For motorhomes, fill the fuel tank and add stabilizer. Run the generator under load for a few minutes monthly if you can.
• Turn off propane at the tank.

Interior and pests

• Remove all food, including sealed packages. Mice can chew through cardboard.
• Seal gaps around plumbing and wiring with steel wool or expanding foam.
• Prop the refrigerator door open to prevent mold and odors.
• Leave moisture absorbers in the bathroom, kitchen, and bedroom.

Choosing RV storage

Most HOAs restrict RV parking, and street parking invites theft and weather damage. E-Z Storage offers 12×50 ft spaces for $75/month that fit motorhomes, fifth wheels, and travel trailers up to 35 ft, with 24/7 access so you can leave for a trip at dawn. The lot is monitored by video surveillance and walked daily by staff.

Planning your next trip or the off-season? Get a quote or call 713-702-8451.

The short answer: on the Texas Gulf Coast, preparing a boat for the off-season means fighting salt, humidity, and stale fuel, not ice. Flush the engine, stabilize the fuel, clean and dry the hull and interior, pull the electronics and battery, and store the boat on its trailer under a breathable cover at a secured lot.

Why Texas boats still need off-season prep

Northern boaters winterize to stop water from freezing and cracking engine blocks. In Galveston County, hard freezes are rare, so it's tempting to skip prep entirely. But a boat sitting idle for three or four months in coastal air faces different enemies: salt crystals that keep corroding metal, condensation inside fuel tanks, mildew on vinyl, and batteries that slowly drain to zero.

The off-season storage checklist

Engine and fuel

• Flush with fresh water using muffs or a flush port until the water runs clear of salt.
• Add fuel stabilizer and run the engine for a few minutes so treated fuel reaches the injectors or carburetor.
• Change the oil and lower-unit gear oil so acidic old oil isn't sitting in the engine for months.
• Fog the cylinders if your engine manual recommends it for storage longer than 60 days.

Hull and interior

• Wash the hull, deck, and trailer with fresh water. Pay attention to brakes, springs, and bunks where salt hides.
• Remove cushions, life jackets, and anything fabric. Store them dry in a container rather than on the boat.
• Open hatches and lockers for a day to dry completely before covering.
• Place moisture absorbers in the console and cabin.

Electrical

• Disconnect the battery or remove it and keep it on a maintainer.
• Take portable electronics home or put them in a locked container.

Cover choice matters more than you think

Blue plastic tarps are cheap but trap humidity against the gelcoat and upholstery. A fitted, breathable, vented cover sheds rain while letting moisture escape. Support it with a pole or frame so water can't pool in the middle.

Where to store it

A secured outdoor lot keeps the boat off your driveway and out of HOA trouble. At E-Z Storage in Hitchcock, a 10×25 ft space is $55/month for most bay boats, and a 12×50 ft space is $75/month for larger offshore boats up to 35 ft. Every space includes 24/7 access, video surveillance, and use of our on-site rinse station. Not sure which fits? See our parking space size guide.

Ready to store for the season? Request a quote or call 713-702-8451.