Guide to RV Storage

An RV is great until you aren’t using it and don’t know where to park it.

Most RV owners don’t have space, or HOA or city rules don’t allow them to park their camper in their garage or driveway and need to rely on outside sources for storage.

To help you understand your options, check out my RV storage guide below, highlighting the places you can park a camper during the off-season and the average cost.

Storage Yard

There are plenty of storage facilities across the US that allow you to park your RV when not in use such as:

• U-haul locations
• Self-storage or Mini-storage companies
• RV service or sales centers

Within a storage yard, you usually have the following three options for RV long-term parking.

Open Storage

Cost: $40-$100 per month

Open storage is the most prevalent and least expensive RV storage option that a company will offer.

The storage company will most likely put your RV in a grassy field parked tightly next to other RVs or boats.

If you plan to take your camper out regularly, you’ll need to set up a more accessible parking location with storage yard management.

Covered Storage

Cost: $80-$150 per month

If your budget allows, paying extra for covered storage under a rigid metal or wood roof can help maintain your RV’s value over open storage.

Covered storage can do wonders to deter damage to your RV’s roof, siding, vents, and air conditioning unit from harsh weather conditions.

Indoor Storage

Cost with power and climate control: $150-$400

Cost without power or climate control: $125-$300

Parking your RV indoors is the best way to prevent damage from the elements.

Finding available spots for large Class A motorhomes or long fifth-wheels or travel trailers can be difficult. Shorter motorhomes and travel trailers are much easier to park indoors.

Do expect to pay more for a parking slot with climate control and power, so you don’t have to worry about your RV components freezing or baking in the heat.

Having power allows you to keep your expensive RV’s batteries on a trickle charge during the off-season, so they maintain their health.

Campground Storage

Newcomers to the RV world may be unaware that many campgrounds allow you to store your RV within the park during the off-season.

This option is best for RVers who camp at the same location each season and want to bypass the hassle of driving their camper a long way only to pay for storage at home.

Off Campsite

Cost: $25-$50 per month

An off-campsite campground RV storage space will generally be a field in a far-off section of the campground. Once you’re done camping for the season, you park your camper in this area and pick it up again once you’re ready to camp again.

On Campsite

Cost: $75-$200 per month

For seasonal campgrounds, it’s common for no one to rent campsites during certain times of the year, say in the winter up north or summer down south.

To keep some income flowing during this time, many private RV parks allow you to leave your RV on your campsite instead of paying to store it elsewhere. This option is very convenient if you plan to come right back to your favorite campsite each year.

5 RV Storage Tips

1. Do protect your tires if you plan to use an open field or any outdoor storage. High-quality tire covers and parking blocks can help prevent damage from UV rays, snow, mud, rain, or ice during your storage term.

2. Do leave some windows and vents open just a crack to allow air circulation. Any moisture trapped inside the camper for extended periods will grow mold and musty odors that are hard to eliminate.

3. Open all the interior cabinets or storage doors, and don’t forget to remove all traces of food that will attract pests.

4. Do use DampRid or similar products to control humidity levels inside the RV.

5. Disconnect the house battery bank to prevent parasitic draining during storage. Better yet, remove the batteries and bring them home with you so you can store them in a safe, climate-controlled location.

Top 5 RV Storage Tips (Video)