Wondering what you should do with your boat or RV when you’re not using it? In this guide, we’ll discuss boat and RV storage options, the pros and cons of each storage option, boat and RV storage pricing information, and how to properly prepare your vehicle for storage so you can keep it in top condition!
- Boat & RV Storage Options
- Storing Boats & RVs at a Self Storage Facility
- How to Prepare a Boat for Storage
- How to Prepare an RV for Storage
Boat & RV Storage Options
While planning a long road trip or a weekend on the lake is the best part of owning recreational vehicles, you might not be sure where to store your boat, camper, or RV during the off-season. Some common options for RV and boat storage include at your home, marina boat storage, and self storage facilities.
Home RV & Boat Storage
While storing your RV and boat at home may sound ideal, it’s might not be suited for everyone. Here are some of the pros and cons of home boat and RV storage.
Pros:
- Convenient access
- Cost-effective
- Customizable storage spaces
Cons:
- Takes up space in your driveway, garage, or yard
- Less security than a storage facility
- May have to keep your vehicle outdoors, which can lead to extensive weather abrasion and expensive repairs
Marina Boat Storage
A popular outdoor boat storage solution is to rent space at a marina. When you opt for marina boat storage, you can typically choose from in-water storage (also known as wet-slip storage), and indoor or outdoor dry stack storage, where your boat is hoisted up on a rack alongside other stored boats. Here are the pros and cons of storing your boat at a marina.
Pros:
- Additional security features to help protect your vehicles
- Indoor dry stack storage helps protect your boat from the elements and lowers chances of theft, since you need a system to get the boat on and off the rack
- In-water storage is great for short-term storage if you want to keep your boat ready for your next outing
Cons:
- More expensive than home storage (especially since you’ll still need a separate storage solution for your boat trailer)
- Limited accessibility if the marina does not have extended or 24/7 access, especially if using dry stack storage (which requires additional steps to take it down)
- In-water storage and outdoor dry stack storage leave boats exposed to the elements
RV & Boat Self Storage
If you don’t have the space for your recreational vehicles at home or don’t have easy access to a marina, you may want to consider renting a parking space at a boat and RV storage facility. While you’ll often have a choice between indoor, covered, or outdoor boat storage, usually only covered or uncovered outdoor storage is available for RVs, due to their larger size.
Pros:
- Additional security features like surveillance cameras, perimeter fencing, and gated access to help protect your vehicles
- Convenient access to major roadways and flexible access hours so you can easily take your vehicle in and out of storage
- Indoor and covered storage provide additional protection against the elements
Cons:
- More expensive than home storage
- If your boat storage facility is not right by the water, you won’t have the same ease of access with marina boat storage
- Storage options are limited by demand
Storing Boats & RVs at a Self Storage Facility
Planning to rent space at a storage facility for your boat or RV, but wondering how much storage space you need and how much it will cost? The ideal storage unit or parking space size will depend on the length, width, and height of your vehicle. Which storage solution you choose depends on personal preference, budget, and vehicle size. Below, we’ll dive into boat and RV storage sizes and pricing information at self storage facilities.
Boat Storage Sizes & Options
You’ll typically have three options for boat storage at a storage facility: uncovered outdoor parking, covered parking, or indoor drive-up storage units. If you want to store a boat indoors but aren’t sure what size of a drive-up storage unit you need for your boat, these size estimates can help:
- 10×15 storage units are large enough to fit jet skis and small drifter boats.
- 10×20 storage units are a great fit for slightly larger vehicles.
- 20×20 storage units are a good fit for Class A boats up to 15 feet long.
- 10×30 storage units work for a Class A or Class 1 boat up to 25 feet long.
- 20-foot parking spaces are a good fit for Class A boats up to 15 feet long.
- 30-foot parking spaces are perfect for Class 1 boats up to 25 feet long.
- 50-foot parking spaces can accommodate all Class 2 and some Class 3 boats up to 50 feet long.
RV Storage Sizes & Options
RV storage options may be limited when compared to boat storage. At most storage facilities, you’ll have two options for your RV: covered or uncovered RV parking spaces. Here are some standard outdoor parking space sizes for recreational vehicles:
- 10×20 spaces are great for utility trailers or campers.
- 10×25 spaces are a good fit for 26-foot class B recreational vehicles.
- 10×30 spaces can fit class A RVs as well as long trailers.
How Much Does Boat & RV Storage Cost?
There are several variables that impact boat and RV storage costs at a storage facility, including:
- Location: The price of RV and boat storage will vary widely depending on where your storage facility is located and local
- Availability: Supply and demand drive pricing, as well. For instance, space for boats might be in higher demand the closer you get to the water, making it pricier, while units may be more available and affordable further inland. The availability of boat and RV storage will also depend on the time of year, since you’ll be competing for space with other owners looking to store their vehicles during the off-season.
- Size: The larger your boat or RV, the larger the storage space you’ll need, and the more it will cost.
- Type: Pricing will vary depending on whether you choose outdoor uncovered storage, outdoor covered storage, or drive-up indoor storage. Each of these options provides a different level of protection from the elements, and costs go up accordingly.
- Features: Storage unit cost will also be impacted by unit features like climate control, air-conditioned storage, etc., adding to the overall price of your boat and trailer storage.
- Insurance: Most storage facilities require you to have boat or RV storage insurance. Despite insurance adding an extra fee to your storage costs, it’s a good idea to have it for any stored vehicle in case of theft, vandalism, or damage from weather conditions.
Boat Storage Costs
Considering the variables, you can expect to pay between $37 and $350 per month for boat storage at a self storage facility. This breaks down as follows for the different types of boat storage:
- Indoor storage: Prices can range between $120 and $270 per month, averaging $170 per month for a 200-square-foot space and $234 per month for a 300-square-foot space.
- Outdoor uncovered storage: Prices can range between $37 and $316 per month, averaging $100 per month for a 25-foot long space and $205 per month for a 40-foot long space.
- Outdoor covered storage: Prices can range from $104 to $350 per month, averaging $110 per month for a 25-foot long space and $146 per month for a 40-foot long space.
These figures are based on average Life Storage pricing as of March 2024.
RV Storage Costs
You can expect to pay between $37 and $400 per month for RV storage at a self storage facility. This breaks down as follows for the different types of RV storage:
- Open-air RV parking: Prices can range between $37 and $392 per month.
- Covered RV parking: Prices can range between $79 and $400 per month.
These figures are based on average Life Storage pricing as of March 2024.
How to Prepare a Boat for Storage
Before bringing your vessel in for long-term boat storage, there are a few steps to take to winterize your boat and help ensure it’s ready the next time you want to take it out for a ride:
- Clean and inspect your boat: Provide any maintenance necessary before storage to help ensure that your boat is in great shape. Remove all personal items and valuables to help prevent any potential theft or damage. Clean the interior and remove any perishables to prevent odors and pests. Rinse the boat’s exterior to clean off debris and dry all surfaces to prevent mildew or mold growth.
- Check your fuel tank: Experts recommend storing boats with near-full tanks (leaving room for fuel to expand). First, you’ll want to flush your engine with fresh water to remove any salt to help prevent the corrosion of any metal components in your engine. Add a fuel stabilizer to prevent fuel degradation and help maintain engine performance.
- Protect the battery: Disconnect or remove your battery to help prevent diluted electrolytes from freezing over and damaging your battery in the winter seasons. When you disconnect your boat’s battery, you’ll limit any small power draws that occur even when your vessel is off. Store the battery in a cool, dry place where it will not freeze during the winter.
- Lubricate the moving parts: Whether you’re using inside or outside boat storage, lubricate all moving parts with marine-grade lubricant to help prevent oil buildup as the temperature changes.
- Cover your boat: If you’re storing your boat in an uncovered parking space, cover it with a waterproof cover to protect it from UV rays and the elements. A cover can also help prevent pests from entering exhaust ports and causing damage to your boat.
How to Prepare an RV for Storage
When renting long-term RV storage, you’ll need to prepare your vehicle first. Take these steps to properly clean and maintenance your RV so it can stay in great condition for next year:
- Clean out your RV: Start your RV cleaning process by removing or disposing of all foods, liquids, toiletries, and other items that may spoil, cause a mess, or attract pests. Vacuum the interior of your camper thoroughly, scrub the fridge, wipe down any surfaces, and wash the exterior. Drain your RV’s sewage system with a black tank flush, typically found at campgrounds, to prevent any odors from building up while in storage.
- Take care of your tires: Before you put your RV into storage, inspect your tires’ tread and pressure, and attend to any necessary tire maintenance. After ensuring your tires are to the manufacturers’ standard, cover your tires, especially if you’re renting outdoor storage. Simple tire covers will protect your tires from damaging UV rays that will degrade the rubber.
- Prep the interior: Run a dehumidifier to prevent mold and mildew in your RV’s interior. Keep your RV fridge and cabinets open to help prevent moisture and odors from building up. Make sure to empty all trash receptacles before putting your RV in storage.
- Prep the exterior: Inspect the exterior of your RV for any cracks or split seams. Caulk, seal, and cover any holes to prevent moisture from getting inside your camper. Turn off your propane system to help prevent leaks and potential fires. Another way to protect your RV’s exterior from the elements is to wax the outside to provide an additional buffer. Invest in a fitted, breathable RV cover to protect your vehicle from UV rays, extreme climate conditions, tree sap, and other potential risks.
- Prepare your RV for the winter: Before temperatures drop you need to winterize your camper. Drain out any existing water, add RV antifreeze, unplug any electronics, change the oil and filter, and more.
- Store your battery: Remove your fully charged RV battery and clean off any corrosion. The battery should be stored in a dry place at room temperature (between 70 and 78 degrees).
- Add a fuel stabilizer: Just as with your boat, you’ll want to add a fuel stabilizer to protect your engine. Make sure to flush the engine first to remove excess debris, then add your fuel stabilizer to help maintain your vehicle’s engine performance.
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Ready to find RV and boat self storage? Life Storage has thousands of facilities across the country with recreational vehicle storage options. Rent recreational vehicle storage today!
This post was originally published 03/01/2023, and last revised on 04/18/2024 with updated information.