Owning an RV is a fantastic thing. It allows you to travel at the drop of a hat, wander off the beaten path, and save money on your family vacations. That said, RV ownership also comes with some downsides. One of these is finding a place to store your RV when it isn’t in use.
There are plenty of options when it comes to motorhome and trailer storage. You might choose an outdoor RV storage lot or an indoor RV storage building, or maybe you’ll choose to keep your rig on your own land. Each of these options has upsides and downsides, and there is no one right or wrong choice.
In this article we will discuss the pros and cons of each storage option. We will also give you some of our top RV storage tips. This will help you can feel confident in what you choose to do with your rig between camping trips.
Outdoor RV Storage
The first and likely most popular option is to store your RV outdoors. This is the most affordable option for sure. However, it does mean you have to take some extra steps to ensure your rig is protected from the elements.
If you choose to park your trailer or motorhome outside, be sure to winterize it before any cold weather rolls in. Additionally, you might want to consider investing in an RV cover to help protect the RV from harsh sunlight, hail, and water.
Outdoor Storage at Home
One way to store your RV outdoors is by parking it in your driveway or on your own land. This is a great option for those on a budget because it doesn’t cost anything to park your rig on your land. It’s also handy when you want to retrieve something from the RV or when you need to start packing for an upcoming trip.
All that said, it’s important to note that many neighborhoods and cities don’t allow RVs to be stored in driveways or yards. Additionally, storing your trailer or motorhome on your property without any extra security measures could invite theft.
RV Storage Lots
The other option for storing your RV outdoors is an RV storage lot. Parking in a lot will still require that you winterize the rig, and you will likely still want to cover it. However, many lots have additional security measures in place.
RV storage lots are typically the cheapest of the paid RV storage options. Therefore, this is a good option for budget-conscious RV owners who can’t park their RV on their own land for any reason.
Covered RV Storage
Next on our list of options is covered RV storage. This type of storage offers the protection of a carport-like structure over the RV, meaning water damage is less likely. That said, covered storage does not offer protection from cold weather. This means that while you can skip the RV cover, you will still need to winterize your rig when storing it under a shelter.
Covered Storage on Your Property
If you have enough land, you might be able to construct a carport that is large enough for your RV to drive under. While this option does come with a hefty fee up front, you will not need to pay for storage once the structure is paid off. Additionally, it allows you to keep your rig close to home.
Still, there are the problems of neighborhood rules against RVs and potential theft in some places, so keep those in mind if they apply to you.
Paid Covered Storage
If theft and anti-RV rules get in your way of storing your RV under cover on your own land, the next best thing is finding a paid covered RV storage lot. These do exist but are more difficult to find than uncovered lots. Additionally, they tend to be more expensive. Still, many RV owners find that the added water protection is worth the extra cost, especially if special security measures are in place as well.
Indoor RV Storage
Those who want even more protection for their motorhome or trailer might consider turning to indoor options. RV storage buildings are often climate controlled, meaning winterization is no longer necessary. They also protect rigs from water, and are the best protection against theft. Lastly, indoor RV storage can even help prevent pests from entering your RV.
Indoor Storage at Home
Want to store your RV indoors, but also at home? This is possible, but can be expensive, depending on the size of your current garage and the size of your RV.
If your rig is small enough and your garage is big (and empty) enough, you can just slip your RV in there. However, those with bigger rigs, smaller garages, or no garage at all would need to build a separate building. This could cost thousands of dollars.
Climate-Controlled Storage Facilities
If your garage won’t fit your RV or you can’t spare the space, you’ll need to look into other options. For RV owners who definitely want indoor RV storage, this means finding an indoor storage facility. In this case, we highly recommend going all out and investing in a climate-controlled RV storage facility.
While renting climate-controlled storage is the most expensive option, it is also the best option for keeping your RV in tip top shape.
How Much Does RV Storage Cost?
Wondering how much you might expect to pay to store your RV? Costs typically depend on a lot of factors. These include the type of storage you’re looking for and the area you’re hoping to store in. That said, fees average between $50–$450 a month or more.
To find a more accurate estimate for storage in your area, try searching for “RV storage near me” or check out this page.
When you come up with a number, keep in mind that this cost is in addition to your RV payment and any maintenance and repair costs you might incur.
Renting Out Your RV
If you don’t want your RV sitting in storage all the time, or you need some way to offset the costs of owning an RV, you might choose to rent it out. This might sound intimidating, but with RVshare’s platform, it’s actually incredibly easy. Not only that, but many owners make enough to offset the cost of ownership plus some.
This makes paying for storage a whole lot easier. If you rent your rig often enough, it might even remove the need to pay for a storage facility entirely!
Ready to give renting out your RV a try? Check out this page for more information on how it all works so you can get started as soon as possible!
