As full-time RVers, we learn to look for solutions in unconventional places. We know that sometimes the best overnight spot is a Harvest Host vineyard and that the most reliable fuel prices are found through a trusted app. And when it comes to finding a dump station, especially in a dense urban area, we learn that sometimes the best option isn’t a campground or a truck stop, but a storage facility. RV StorHouse in Pinellas Park, Florida, is a perfect example of this. It’s a clean, secure, professional storage lot that offers a no-frills dump station, providing a strategic solution for a very specific need.
Let’s be clear about what this place is, and what it isn’t. This is not a resort. There are no swimming pools, no shuffleboard courts, and no friendly camp host offering you coffee. This is a place of pure utility. It’s designed for one primary purpose: storing RVs. The dump station is an amenity for its tenants, but many facilities like this one will allow non-tenants to use it for a small fee. The experience is what I like to call a "surgical strike." You get in, you do the job efficiently, and you get out.
The biggest advantage of using a facility like RV StorHouse is the environment. It’s located on 49th Street North, just a few minutes from the major artery of US-19, making it incredibly easy to access. More importantly, it’s quiet. You won’t be battling for space with semi-trucks or waiting in a long line of vacationers. Traffic inside the facility is limited to owners who are either dropping off or picking up their rigs. This means you often have the entire dump station area to yourself, which is a luxury that allows you to work at your own pace without feeling rushed.
However, this utility-focused approach comes with a significant list of trade-offs, and you need to be prepared for them. First and foremost, there is no water on site for rinsing. None. You must bring your own. I can’t stress this enough. You will need at least a few gallons of non-potable water to flush your sewer hose and clean up the area when you’re done. This is non-negotiable for a clean and sanitary job. Similarly, there are no restrooms, no laundry facilities, and no trash disposal for drive-in users. This is a single-purpose stop. You empty your black and grey tanks, and that’s it.
Access is another key difference. Unlike a 24/7 travel center, a storage facility operates on business hours. The gate is likely controlled by a keypad, and the dump station is located inside that secure perimeter. This means you absolutely must call ahead. First, you need to confirm that they even allow non-tenants to use the dump station. Second, you need to ask for the procedure. Do you pay at the office? Do they give you a temporary gate code over the phone? You cannot just show up at 10 p.m. and expect to get in. Planning is essential. Aim for a weekday afternoon when the on-site office is open and traffic within the facility is at its lowest.
The location in Pinellas Park is incredibly strategic, especially for RVers with specific travel plans. It’s less than twenty minutes from Tampa International Airport, making it the perfect place to dump your tanks before putting your rig into storage and catching a flight. It’s also just a mile away from one of my favorite local nature spots, Sawgrass Lake Park. This park features an incredible mile-long elevated boardwalk that takes you through one of the largest maple swamps on the Gulf Coast. It’s a fantastic place to spot alligators, turtles, and all sorts of wading birds. It’s the perfect activity to do before or after your stop at RV StorHouse, turning a quick chore into a memorable brush with Florida’s wild side.
So, who is this stop for? RV StorHouse is the ideal choice for the self-sufficient, prepared RVer who values efficiency and solitude over amenities. It’s for the RVer who is heading to the airport to fly home for the holidays. It’s for the RVer who just purchased a new rig from a local dealer and needs to sanitize the tanks before their first trip. It’s for the local RVer who keeps their coach in storage and needs a convenient place to empty the tanks after a weekend trip before tucking it away.
To make your visit a success, you need a checklist. First, call ahead to confirm access, hours, and cost, which is likely in the $10 to $15 range. Second, bring your own rinse water, gloves, and any tank treatments you need. Third, plan your pet’s needs accordingly, as they likely won’t be allowed out of the vehicle on the property. A stop at Sawgrass Lake Park beforehand is a great way to let them stretch their legs.
In conclusion, RV StorHouse isn’t a glamorous stop, but it is an incredibly useful one. It offers a quiet, secure, and wide-open space to perform a necessary task without the crowds and chaos of other options. It represents a different kind of tool in the RVer’s toolkit, one that prioritizes function over form. If you arrive prepared, knowing exactly what to expect, you’ll find it to be one of the most efficient and stress-free dumping experiences you can have, freeing you up to get back to the real reason you’re on the road: adventure.