Let me tell you, navigating the sprawling Phoenix metro area can be a real test of patience, especially when you’re hunting for a decent place to empty the tanks. The heat, the traffic, the endless miles of suburbia. It’s not always easy. Many of the public spots are crammed, with lines that snake around the block, and some are just plain awkward to get a big rig into. That’s why finding a reliable, no-fuss spot is like striking gold. If you find yourself cruising up or down Interstate 17, what the locals call the Black Canyon Highway, there’s a place you should know about. It’s called Premier RV & Self Storage, tucked away on the frontage road. It’s not a flashy travel center, and that’s precisely its charm. This is primarily a long term storage facility, a gated yard where folks keep their rigs safe between adventures. But for a traveler just passing through, it can be a real lifesaver.
Getting to this part of Phoenix means you’re deep in the Sonoran Desert, a landscape that’s anything but barren. It’s a place that surprises you. After a good summer monsoon, the whole world seems to burst into a vibrant green, with the saguaros standing tall like ancient sentinels and the ocotillos waving their spindly arms. If you’ve got time before or after your pit stop, the city offers some incredible ways to connect with this environment. You might be coming down from a morning hike up Camelback Mountain, a serious climb that rewards you with a breathtaking 360 degree view of the entire valley. It’s hard to believe that kind of wilderness is just twenty minutes from the downtown hustle. Or maybe you’re planning an afternoon stroll through the Desert Botanical Garden over in Papago Park, a place where you can wander among fifty thousand different desert plants. It’s a truly special experience. But you have to respect the desert. The locals will be the first to tell you that the triple digit heat is no joke, and those summer monsoon storms can turn a dry wash into a raging river in minutes. You learn quickly to carry more water than you think you’ll need, get your outdoor activities done first thing in the morning, and always, always keep an eye on the weather for those flash flood warnings.
Pulling into a self storage facility to dump your tanks is a different experience than your typical truck stop. It’s quieter, for one. More private. At a place like Premier, you’ll likely need to buzz the office during their business hours, which are pretty standard, Monday through Friday from nine to five. They’ll give you the gate code and instructions. Once you punch that code in and the electronic gate slides open, you’ll follow the painted arrows, usually toward the back of the property. The dump station itself is usually a simple, no frills concrete pad with a drain. Since their main business is storage tenants, not transient RVers, there’s a bit of a process. Don’t be surprised if you have to pop into the office, show your ID, maybe even sign a quick waiver. It’s all about liability and security, which, when you think about it, is a good thing. That gated yard feels secure, especially if you’re traveling with expensive gear on board. The downside is that after hours access is a no go. When the staff goes home, the place is locked down tight.
Now let’s talk about what you will and won’t find here, because managing expectations is key. The most important thing to know is that there is no water on tap for rinsing. None. This is a dealbreaker for some, but for a seasoned RVer, it’s just something you plan for. You should always have a dedicated non potable water hose and a few gallons of water in a jug just for this purpose. A quick flush of the slinky is non negotiable. You’ll also need your own gloves and any tank chemicals. Think of this as a purely sanitary stop. You won’t find a gas station or propane refills on site, so you’ll need to plan a separate stop for that. Luckily, there’s a Love’s just three miles south on the interstate that can handle all your refueling needs. Don’t expect showers, laundry, or even public restrooms. And there’s no place to dump your kitchen trash, so you’ll have to pack it out and dispose of it at your next stop. This place is for one thing and one thing only: emptying your gray and black tanks.
When it comes to cost, you absolutely have to call ahead. The price isn't listed publicly because it's not their primary service. In the Phoenix area, you can generally expect to pay somewhere between ten and twenty dollars for a public dump, and I’d imagine Premier falls right in that range. Make sure to ask what kind of payment they take. A lot of smaller operations have gone cashless, so having a credit card ready is a smart move. Given how few and far between the dump stations are right on this stretch of I-17, paying fifteen or even twenty bucks can be a fantastic value when the alternative is a thirty mile detour through city traffic with full tanks. Nobody wants that.
For a smooth visit, a little planning goes a long way. I’d recommend calling the morning you plan to arrive, just to make sure someone will be in the office to let you in. The best time to show up is mid morning on a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday. The office traffic from their storage clients will be at its lightest. Before you even pull up to the gate, get your gear staged. Have your sewer hose, connectors, and a good pair of nitrile gloves ready to go. That way, you can get in, get the job done efficiently, and get out without any fuss. After a summer rain, be mindful of your footing around the concrete pad; that desert dust can get surprisingly slick when it’s wet.
So here’s the bottom line. Premier RV & Self Storage is an excellent, practical option for anyone traveling through north Phoenix on I-17. It offers straightforward, secure access right off the freeway. It is not a luxury stop. The lack of rinse water and other amenities means you have to be self sufficient and come prepared. But the trade off is a controlled, quiet environment and incredible convenience. It’s a worthy spot to add to your map for those hectic travel days when all you need is a quick, clean, and reliable place to take care of business. Just remember the golden rule: call first.
22230 N Black Cyn Hwy, Phoenix, AZ 85027
(480) 405-7980
Cost: Price not available
Category: Self-storage facility
No Water
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