The I-10 corridor heading east out of Los Angeles is a river of steel and rubber, a main artery for truckers, commuters, and a whole lot of us in our rolling homes. When you're driving through the Inland Empire, with the San Gabriel Mountains looming to your north, finding a place to pull over and take care of essential RV business can be a real challenge. The truck stops are massive and chaotic, and smaller gas stations often can't accommodate a big rig. That's where a place like Tower RV Storage in Ontario becomes a beacon of calm in the storm. It’s tucked away in a quiet industrial area, just south of the Ontario International Airport, and it offers a chance to empty your tanks without the usual freeway-side frenzy.
For us RVers, a stop is never just about one thing. It's about a sequence of events. Before you head to Tower RV Storage, you can make a day of it in the area. If you've just crossed the desert from Arizona, the air-conditioned bliss of the Ontario Mills outlet mall is a welcome relief. It’s a massive complex where you can wander around, grab a bite to eat at the food court, and just enjoy being out of the driver's seat for a while. On the other hand, if you need to stretch your legs and get some fresh air, the Cucamonga-Guasti Regional Park is right there, visible from the freeway. It has fishing lakes, a water park for the kids in the summer, and plenty of green grass for a picnic. It's also dog-friendly, which is a huge plus. We often plan our dump station stops around a good park visit so our four-legged co-pilot can get a proper walk in before we have to focus on the tanks. The location is also a great launchpad. From here, you’re less than two hours from the high desert wonders of Joshua Tree National Park or a two-hour climb up to the alpine coolness of Big Bear Lake.
Dumping at a storage facility like Tower is a fundamentally different experience than at a travel plaza. You can expect things like a keypad entry gate and a check-in at the main office. This might seem like an extra step, but it's what keeps the place quiet and secure. These features are designed for the security of the stored RVs, but for us, they translate into a much more relaxed dumping process. There are no lines of impatient drivers behind you. The aisles are built for big rigs, so you have plenty of room to swing your coach or trailer into position without worrying about clipping a gas pump or a curb. There’s usually an on-site manager, which also means the dump pad itself is typically kept in good shape. It’s in their best interest to keep the facility clean and functional for their long-term tenants, and we get to benefit from that.
Now, let's get down to the brass tacks, the amenities. Or in this case, the lack thereof. The information for Tower RV Storage is pretty clear: there are no listed amenities. This is the most important thing to know before you go. It is a dedicated, single-purpose stop. There is no potable water for filling your fresh tank, and crucially, no non-potable water for rinsing your black tank. I've said it before, and I'll say it again for every RVer who will listen: you must bring your own rinse water. A five-gallon jug dedicated to this purpose is a non-negotiable piece of gear in my book. A thorough rinse after dumping keeps your tank sensors working correctly and is the number one weapon in the fight against odors.
Furthermore, there are no pet areas, no restrooms, no showers, and no trash disposal. This means you need to be completely self-contained. Take the dog to the park beforehand. Plan to stop for fuel and to dump your kitchen trash at a gas station on the I-10 after you're done. This isn't a flaw in the facility; it's just its nature. It’s a specialized tool for one job. Thinking you can show up and get a propane fill, a hot shower, and a place to walk the dog will only lead to frustration. But if you know what to expect, you can appreciate it for what it is: an efficient, no-frills solution.
When it comes to cost, you'll need to call ahead to get the current rate. The regional average is usually in the $10 to $20 range, and I’d expect Tower to fall somewhere in there. A quick phone call is essential anyway. You can confirm they're open for public dumping, verify the price, and ask about the best way to approach the facility. Here's a pro tip from someone who has learned from GPS mistakes: you'll want to enter Earlstone Street from Archibald Avenue. Navigation systems can sometimes try to route you through a different way that leads to a dead-end, and there's nothing more frustrating than having to back up a 35-foot fifth wheel because your GPS led you astray.
So, who is Tower RV Storage for? It's for the experienced RVer who values a calm, clean, and spacious environment for doing a dirty job. It's for the full-timer on a long haul across the country who has their system down and just needs a reliable place to empty the tanks. It's the perfect stop if you're transitioning from a desert boondocking trip towards the city, or vice-versa. The lack of amenities is only a problem if you're not prepared. If you arrive with your own water, have a plan for fuel and trash, and have already exercised the dog, you will find this place to be a wonderfully efficient and stress-free stop. It's a valuable pin to drop on your map for any journey along Southern California's I-10 corridor.
3941 Earlstone St, Ontario, CA 91761
(909) 443-1682
Cost: Price not available
Category: RV storage facility
No Water
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