Where Can I Park My Cargo Trailer? (5 Parking Options)
Parking is at a premium. The more crowded cities get, the harder it is to find a place to park. That is just for cars as many cities place parking restrictions on their streets. Those restrictions were to make it easier for residents to find a place to park in front of their own homes.
Where can I park my cargo trailer? Usually, cargo trailers are classified as commercial property and that classification makes it hard to find parking. Every city will have different rules concerning parking any vehicle or trailer. The best advice that can be given is to check with your city and see what laws they have governing this topic.
To learn more about this issue and where you can park your small cargo trailer, just keep reading our article. It has the information you need to know about. Also, don’t be upset if your small cargo trailer is lumped in with the large semi-trailers.
Where Can I Park My Utility Trailer?
The answer to this question will depend on the city where you live. Many cities have regulations governing what vehicles or trailers can be parked, where they can be parked, and for how long.
One city only allows utility trailers to be parked on residential streets if they are hooked up to a motorized vehicle. Then that is only for 72 hours. For street parking, you will have to check with your city as every city makes its own rules.
This makes it difficult to find a parking spot for your cargo trailer. However, your city may have those self-storage facilities and those businesses often offer secure parking for your trailer. The fee may not be great but at least you can have a little peace of mind knowing your property is behind a secure fence.
If your garage is big enough, you should be allowed to park it inside the garage. or if you have the space and access, you may be able to park it on the side of your home or in the backyard.
One reason cities restrict street residential parking is for safety for pedestrians and to maintain good visibility for drivers. The reasons are legitimate even though it can be a bit frustrating when there is no place to park your utility trailer.
Utility Trailer Parking Options
There are actually very few parking options available when you live in the city. If the trailer will fit in your driveway or garage, that may be one option. the biggest problem you will have in this situation is if you belong to an HOA.
These housing associations are very strict and have far too many rules governing what goes on within their boundaries. Parking utility trailers may be one of their victims. Another option may be your friends’ or family’s properties.
But you have to check with their cities etc., to see what rules apply to parking utility trailers on their property. As we have said, every city is different and has different laws concerning this issue.
If those two locations don't pan out, you can look for storage facilities and see how much they charge for parking your trailer there. These businesses usually charge a monthly fee but at least they are secure locations.
If you do not have one of those in your city or they are full, you may want to contact a local business that has a large parking lot they are not using. It is possible that you can make some arrangements and possibly pay a lower fee than you would at a regular storage facility.
A final option would be any city-owned lot. They may make extra money by leasing out parking spaces to those residents who need extra parking. You would have to check with the city you live in to see what options are available to you.
Can I Park My Utility Trailer On The Street?
This will depend on the city you live in. One city allows for unhitched utility trailers to be parked on the city street but only for up to 24 hours. Any longer you will be ticketed and fined. However, tickets and fines are complaints driven so you may get a pass from time to time if you leave it there longer.
Other cities ban parking utility trailers on the street no matter what. There are no exceptions to the rule and you should avoid doing this at all costs. Most cities may allow you to park your trailer on your property as long as you put a cement pad down first. or you can park it behind your home.
However, those same cities have very strict restrictions for street parking and may have a strict time limit. One city will allow up to 72 hours but most do not get close to that long time frame.
The best advice that can be given here is to call your city hall and talk to them. While it may be okay with your city to park your trailer on the street, it may not be okay with the HOA.
If your home is part of one of those associations then parking on the street may be strictly forbidden. These associations can be tougher than city officials to deal with.
Finding Parking For Trailers Near Me
The best place to look when you are not dealing with the city or family or friends is the yellow pages. These days those pages may be online but they often have ads by storage facilities. Those facilities may be expensive but they do offer secure parking and almost 24-hour access to your trailer.
If this is not an option for you, you can talk to family and friends. They are just a phone call away. See what they say and if they have any laws in their areas restricting trailer parking. Access to your trailer will be subject to their schedule.
Classified ads are another good place to look. Many different facilities will place ads in those little papers or newspaper sections to add to their business stream. Also, some people may have an extra building on their property they may want to rent out. You can check the classifieds to spot those ads.
The other go-to option would be to drive around your city and see what businesses offer storing facilities. This is a little time and gas-consuming but not everyone advertises.
The final place to check would be with your city hall. They may operate different parking lots that could accommodate your utility trailer. Of course, they will charge a fee but it may not be as much as a private storage facility will charge.
Whenever you use the city or other parking businesses, make sure to keep your payments current. There will be rules on late or no payments and you could lose your trailer if you are not careful.
Parking Utility Trailer Tips
Most of these tips will depend on how long you plan on storing your utility trailer. Some are best used for long-term storage and are not recommended for short-term parking.
1. Remove the brake batteries- this should be done only if your trailer has batteries to operate the braking system. Not removing them will add more wear and tear as well as drain the power. Store the batteries inside once they are removed.
2. Jack the trailer up- this will help preserve your tires and suspension. Don’t let the weight of the trailer rest on your tires only. jacking your trailer up slows down thieves as well. You could possibly remove the tires if you want and store them in a secure location.
3. Grease the moving parts- this will protect your trailer’s moving parts when they are not going to be moved for some time. Also, you should move your tires to lubricate the bearings. That is if you do not remove your tires while the trailer is in storage.
4. Get a cover- a cover will protect your utility trailer from the elements. The constantly changing weather patterns can bring rust, corrosion, and other damage. A good tarp or another cover will prevent a lot of that from taking place.
5. Invest in a good security system- whether it be a good trailer lock or boot for your tires, doesn’t matter. To protect against theft you should add a nice security lock to the hitch. Also, if you have cargo on board, make sure to use straps, etc., to make it more difficult for anyone to remove those items.
Some Final Words
Parking is also going to be a concern as most cities do not like trailers or even RVs. if you can’t park on your own lot, find a good secure facility to do it for you. Always check with your city first so you know the law regarding parking your vehicles.
