Thread: Portable or Mobile Storage For Extra Income

Is anyone out there using portable or mobile storage in addition to their traditional storage. I am not looking for any get rich quick deal or any large scale PODS franchise.

Again I am looking for this to compliment my storage and not stand alone.

More on the line of the COWS concept. Start with a few containers and offer some services that will compliment my storage business.

I thought that I may be able to reach new customers (moving, need temporary space etc) that I would not have met before

Increase advertising & exposure

Larger customer base or area

Lead to future long term storage rentals

Make a modest return for my time and investment.

Any thoughts?

Jeff

uhaul recently started doing the "U-Box"

if you are an authorized uhaul dealer, talk to your AFM about becoming a U-Box dealer, as they're starting to get dealers involved in them now.

Does anyone out there offer mobile storage?

This is a great question Jeff, I've been throwing around the same idea in my head for the past few years, ever since I saw the COWS program at the Las Vegas trade show. I think I'll spend some time at their booth this year and get more info (I hope they're on the vendor list).

There is a piece of undeveloped land next to mine that is owned by a neighbor, he has been resistant to selling it to me in the past, but maybe the economy has softened his resolve. I'd love to use that to plop some portables and see if I can make it pay. Doing so would mix my love of trucks and equipment with storage, sounds fun.

Originally Posted by rich-pms

uhaul recently started doing the "U-Box"

if you are an authorized uhaul dealer, talk to your AFM about becoming a U-Box dealer, as they're starting to get dealers involved in them now.

I'm starting to see these pop-up at actual uhaul ran facilities (not dealers), I'd be interested to speak to a uhaul dealer and learn how the customer feed back has been. In my opinion it seems like a horizontal trailer.

Originally Posted by Life-Storage

I'm starting to see these pop-up at actual uhaul ran facilities (not dealers), I'd be interested to speak to a uhaul dealer and learn how the customer feed back has been. In my opinion it seems like a horizontal trailer.

Yep, UHaul is going international with it. Not too many dealers yet but that will likely change quickly as their reps are getting out there with it.

They supply that little trailer which is prefered to be towed behind a pickup. There meant for pickup and delivery and not for the cross country adventure that is reserved for their storage trailers.

I spoke with my U-Haul AFM last week about the U-Box program. They are doing it at some dealer locations. You must have a forklift with extra-long forks and ample space to "park" the inventory. That said, there is a good amount of commission earned on them, so if you meet the criteria, and you are a U-Haul dealer, you may want to consider it.

Being new to this property, I don't even know if my forklift runs, and I haven't investigated the length of the forks, but it's certainly on my to-do list.

So does anybody know any mobile storage systems or manufactures that would require a small start up?

Look into COWS. I've spoken with the owner of the company and he is very enthusiastic about their program. "Small startup" means different things to different people, but they have a system that does not require the purchase of a task-specific truck and loading equipment.
http://866-get-a-cow.com/

Storman great idea! It is easy to become a certified forklift operator i did it online @
CertifyMe.net One can purchase a used forklift as cheap as 1,500.