How Much Does It Cost to Store An RV?

Where Can I Store My RV Long Term?

You have a few options for long term RV storage, from heated indoor facilities to parking it in your backyard. Let’s unpack a few of the most common RV storage methods.

Storage Facilities

Most RV owners, choose a dedicated RV storage option if they have problems with limited storage space around their property.

There are various types of RV storage available. Costs vary depending on the location of the facility and the services they offer. Indoor heated storage is the most expensive option, with some services charging $450 or more, depending on your requirements.

Where Can I Park my RV for Cheap?

There are a few options for cheap and affordable RV storage.

Outdoor Storage on Lots

Outdoor storage on lots is a popular choice for RVs. While it’s affordable, with prices as low as $30 on some lots, it’s not the best option. If you want to avoid faded paintwork and hail damage, it’s better to find a covered option.

Covered Storage on Lots

Covered storage options are affordable, with carport-style storage costing you anywhere from $50 up per month.

How Much Does It Cost to Store an RV?

Costs for storing your RV can vary, depending on amenities offered with your storage fees, and the location of the facility. Costs can range from as little as $30 per month to as much as $450 per month.

Storing your RV is expensive, and even the lowest-cost provider will end up setting you back more than $500 per year. When sorting through your storage options, makes sure you choose the facility meeting your requirements.

Choose a service level agreement that meets your storage needs and your budget. Outdoor storage offers the most affordable option, with prices ranging between $30 to $50, but some lots might charge $100 or more, depending on the location.

Storage costs correlate with the size of your RV, so you can expect to pay more to store a Class A RV than a Class B or C model. If you live in an area with bad weather, and need indoor storage for your RV, expect to pay through your nose for the privilege.

Unheated indoor storage can range from $50 per month to $125 on average. However, some luxury storage facilities charge as much as $450 per month to store your recreational vehicle. The costs depend on the services offered by the provider.

Some facilities include services like washing your RV, charging batteries, or dumping sewage. Remember that these additional services cost more money, adding to your storage fees.

Should I Store My RV Indoors?

Indoor RV storage is always a better option for your motorhome. With indoor storage, your RV gets protection from the weather. There’s no chance of the paintwork fading in the sun or hail damaging the panels.

Indoor storage is the most expensive option for your RV. You can expect to pay anywhere from $50 to $450 per month, depending on the location and amenities offered under the provider’s service level agreement. However, you get a complete storage solution, with your RV out of sight of criminals and the natural elements.

Some indoor storage units come with heating, allowing you to avoid weather problems associated with cold winter conditions. Heated indoor storage prevents your pipes from splitting and your tanks freezing.

Indoor RV storage comes with security, ensuring no-one messes with your vehicle. As a result of the additional protection, you don’t have to remove the electronics and batteries from your RV to stop theft. Indoor storage facilities keep your RV in the best condition, preparing you for next year’s road trip.

Is Covered RV Storage Worth It?

Covered RV storage is a step down from indoor storage. You get to park your RV under an extended carport designed specifically for RVs. You get protection for your RV at an affordable cost, with many of the indoor storage benefits.

Having a roof over your RV protects it from the sun’s UV rays, stopping the fading of your paintwork. The roof also protects your vehicle from hail and other weather events that might damage the body.

Covered RV storage doesn’t cover the vehicle completely, and you can’t expect the same level of protection or security as you get with indoor storage. Still, your service provider should run a secure lot, offering your vehicle protection from vandals and thieves.

Covered storage options can cost you anywhere from $50 to $125 per month. The price depends on the location of the lot and the services offered by the provider. It’s also important to note that your RV storage cost depends on the class of your vehicle, with Class A RVs costing more for covered services.

Some RV owners might decide to put up an RV covered storage unit on their property if they have space. This option is expensive, as building a sustainable structure to local regulatory guidelines might require professional help. Always check with your town planner before building and new construction on your property.

The costs of building self-storage can range. The final price of the exercise varies, depending on the materials you use, and if you’re having a professional do the job, or you’re building the cover yourself.

Where Can I Store My RV for Free?

There are a few free storage options for your RV this winter. However, most of them aren’t suitable for long-term storage, and you’ll probably need to find an alternative solution. Still, if you don’t have the budget for storage facilities right now, or you just need a few days off the streets, check out these free RV storage options.

Your Driveway

Your driveway offers a cost-effective alternative for RV storage. However, you’ll need a pretty long driveway to store a Class A motorhome, and it’s probably going to get in the way of other vehicles entering and exiting your driveway.

Your Garage

Garage storage is only suitable for Class C RVs and some travel trailers. Class A and B motorhomes will have high roofs and long wheelbases, making storage in a typical suburban garage impossible.

Your Backyard

If you have a spacious backyard, you can park your RV in dedicated storage on your property. Some RV owners choose to construct dedicated storage ports for the vehicle in their yard.

On the Curb

As a final solution, you could always leave your RV on the curb if you have space in the street. Ensure you live in a safe and secure neighborhood, or you can expect people to break into your RV.

Should I Store My RV with the Jacks Down?

Storing your RV with the jacks extended isn’t always the right move. Some RV enthusiasts state it’s not necessary, while others say it saves your shocks and tires. It depends on the type of RV you own and how long you plan to leave the vehicle in storage.

Class B and C RVs require better storage methods than Class A recreational vehicles. These RVs require stabilizing jacks to prevent damage to the shocks and suspension during extended storage.

Relieving the weight off of your shock absorbers and tires extend the service life of these components. However, if you’re storing your RV for a few weeks, it’s probably not necessary to go to the extent of leaving it on jacks.

However, for storage periods longer than 3-months, using jacks is a good idea, benefiting your vehicle’s maintenance and longevity.

Should I Leave Vents Open When Storing My RV?

You might think it’s a good idea to leave the vents or a window open when storing your RV. This practice is a mistake. Leaving the vents and windows opens increases humidity and moisture inside the RV.

Even leaving one of the smaller bathroom windows ajar in your RV is a bad idea. Some water droplets are going to get inside during a powerful thunderstorm. Those droplets increase humidity, causing complications with your electronics and furnishings inside the RV.

Increases in humidity inside the RV encourage mold and mildew growth, causing a health hazard. Paying for mold removal will cost you more than storage fees for indoor heated facilities.

Leaving the vents and windows closed prevents insects from entering the RV to colonize, and it stops thieves from breaking into your property.