How Much Does It Cost To Store An RV?

‍If you own an RV, you are probably going to want to have a safe and convenient place to store your vehicle, but how much does RV storage actually cost?

Storing an RV comes with a considerable amount of responsibility and it can be quite a hassle for a lot of people to deal with, which is why they prefer to take their vehicle to a storage facility. Luckily, there are a bunch of different places around the country that have been set up for RV storage but their costs can vary based on a number of different factors.

The median cost of storing an RV is roughly $135 per month at a facility. However, this cost can greatly vary based on the location of the storage facility, the size of your RV as well as the conditions that your vehicle is kept in - with RV storage costing anywhere from $50 to $450 per month.

Nothing beats the feeling of getting behind the wheel of your RV for an epic road trip or camping trip. RV travel is ingrained in American culture and many people prefer to vacation with their recreational vehicles over any other way. These days, RV travel is as popular as it ever has been - with more and more people buying these vehicles for their trips. We especially saw a huge boom with RVs during the pandemic, as people had no other way to travel other than to hop in an RV and hit the open road. However, if you own an RV, you will understand that storing it can be quite a bit trickier than parking your commuter vehicle. RVs are huge and they are generally only used seasonally, which is why many people prefer to park their vehicles at RV storage facilities - but the cost of doing so is not always clear. To help you understand this further, we are going to take a closer look at how much it costs to store an RV in more detail.

After extensively researching RV storage, I have been able to gather enough information to determine how much it costs to store one of these vehicles. My research has taught me that the cost to store an RV can vary based on where the storage facility is located, as well as the conditions that it will be kept in.

‍Cost of RV Storage

Whether you are storing your RV for a month or are putting it away for the winter season, finding the right place to leave your vehicle when you need to park it for an extended period is a must. RVs are generally quite large and a lot of people simply do not have the space to park one in front of their homes - especially if they are living in a city.

The cost to store your RV is usually billed on a month-to-month basis but you will find the price can vary quite a bit. For the most part, RV storage facilities will charge you roughly $135.00 per month to store your recreational vehicle. However, this price is increasing annually and many people are paying upwards of $185 per month (or more) to store their vehicle at a facility.

If you need a safe place to park your RV for a while and do not have the means to do it on your own property, there is really no better option than to do so at a storage facility. With that being said, you may find that you could end up paying less or considerably more - depending on a number of different factors. RV storage costs are based on the size of your vehicle, the location of the facility, and the conditions that you want it to be stored in. Let’s break down these costs in more detail so you can understand how much you will likely pay to store your RV.

RV Size & Class

Not all recreational vehicles are made equal. RVs can vary significantly in their size and style, which can ultimately affect the price you pay when it comes to storage.

As you have probably already guessed - having a smaller RV generally means that you are not going to have to pay as much to store it. However, having a larger is the opposite - with storage costs increasing considerably.

The size of an RV is generally based on the classification of the vehicle. There are 3 primary RV styles that you will see on the road - Class A, Class B, & Class C. However, there are also 5th Wheels, Pop-Up Trailers, and Travel Trailers.

These will all have a different price point for storage and although you can expect those costs to be different from place to place, most facilities will charge you more the bigger your vehicle. Here is what you can expect to pay to store your RV based on its size & class.

Class A, B, & C

For the most part, you can expect to pay upward of $135 to $185 per month to store a Class A, B, or C RV. These vehicles normally range from 15 ft to 45 ft and they take up a considerable amount of space, which is why they cost so much to park long-term.

Class A

A Class A RV is characterized as a ‘bus-style’ recreational vehicle and these models can be particularly huge with most options ranging from 25 ft to 45 ft. If you find any place that charges you less than $185, then you can consider yourself lucky, as these RVs are usually the most expensive to store.

Class B

A Class B RV looks like something between a typical RV and a minivan, which is why they are commonly referred to as ‘camper vans’. These are quite a bit smaller than other RV types and for that reason, you may be able to get away with paying less for your storage costs.

Most of the RV camper vans that you see on the road will be in the range of just 20 ft or so, which can be as much as half the size of Class A. A reasonable storage facility should charge you around $135 per month to store your camper van.

Class C

A Class C RV sits in the middle in size between a Class A and B - with an average length of around 25 ft to 30 ft.

The cost to store a Class C can sometimes vary depending on its actual length given that it can vary but for the most part you will probably end up paying anywhere from $160 to $185 at a facility.

RV Trailers

There are a lot of RV trailers that vary in size and style, which also affects their storage costs. Most facilities will charge you a monthly cost of anywhere from $90 to $185 to park your RV trailer.

Fifth-Wheel

A Fifth-Wheel RV is the largest trailer option that is out there and many of them can be as big as a Class A - with lengths of 25 ft to 40 ft.

Storing a Fifth-Wheel trailer can cost as much as $185 per month at most facilities. However, given the size range for these vehicles, you should be able to negotiate this price if you have got a smaller Fifth-Wheel to park.

Travel Trailers

Travel trailers can greatly vary in size, as they can be as small as 10 ft - or they can be as large as 40 ft.

With that being said, the cost to store one of these recreational vehicles can also fluctuate based on its size. A large travel trailer can around $185 per month to store - or even more. Whereas a smaller travel trailer should only cost about $90 per month.

If you have got something in the middle, then you will want to see the terms and conditions for the specific facility that you are considering for your storage.

Pop-Up Trailers

A Pop-Up trailer is generally the smallest style RV that you see on the road, as these are normally just 15 ft long.

That is why they are the cheapest to store at facilities - with most places charging around $90 per month.

Storage Conditions

Each storage facility out there is going to be a bit different and the level of service and protection that they offer will be reflected by that. Some RV storage businesses will have a variety of different types of storage for you to consider for the conditions that you want your vehicle to be kept in.

Let’s take a look at the different types of storage conditions that you can keep your RV in and how this will affect the costs.

Indoor RV Storage

Some people want their RV to be stored in optimal conditions - inside of a facility or garage. A lot of RV owners want to keep their vehicles in the best condition possible so that their investment is protected from any external wear and tear - these are the most expensive options.

Storage facilities will charge you quite a bit more for this type of storage. The price that you end up paying can be anywhere from $50 to $500 per month for indoor units (or even more).

The cost will generally vary based on what kind of indoor unit you opt for. Some facilities will offer communal storage facilities - where there are a number of different RVs parked in a large protected area. Whereas others will have single-unit storage available for you to have your own space. A single unit generally has an increased price.

In addition, a lot of indoor storage facilities go above and beyond in delivering all-around service to their customers - with additional amenities that you can add to your RV storage package. These would include things like:

• Black & Greywater Draining
• Battery Charging
• Additional RV Maintenance
• Security Cameras
• Heated Facility

It goes without saying that the more of these amenities that you add on, the more your monthly costs are going to be.

Outdoor & Covered Storage

Not everyone needs to go all out and opt for indoor storage with a bunch of fancy amenities. Most people are completely satisfied with basic outdoor or covered storage, as they are considerably cheaper options.

Outdoor storage is the most affordable option that you can choose. Most RV storage facilities will charge you just $50 to $70 per month to park your vehicle. However, this price can fluctuate a bit depending on the location of the facility, as well as the size of your RV.

This type of storage will include a standard parking space in a parking lot or fenced-off facility and it is about as basic as it gets. The great thing about outdoor storage is that it is generally very easy to access your vehicle and it is the most hassle-free option out there.

If you want a little added protection for your RV, going with covered storage may just be what you need to get some reassurance that your vehicle is going to be protected for long-term parking. This will give your RV a bit more safety during the winter months and it is a more affordable option compared to an indoor unit.

The average price for covered storage is around $120 to $175. The RV storage cost can also fluctuate based on your location as well as the size of your vehicle. If your RV is a lot bigger, there will probably be an additional storage fee.

Covered storage generally consists of a parking spot around a bunch of outdoor spaces. If you want to have additional peace of mind, you can always add a breathable top cover yourself to give your RV extra safety, as this will help prevent water damage and sun exposure.

Storage Location

Another huge factor that influences the cost of storing your RV is going to be the location that you live in (or that you store it in). Location is a complex factor as there are a number of different variables that determine how it will affect the cost of your RV storage.

To start, the location cost is greatly impacted by the price of land in your area. If you live in a region that has highly-priced real estate, you can expect this to be reflected in your storage costs. This can also be determined on a state-by-state basis, as land prices vary in this regard.

If you live in an expensive state such as New York or California, your monthly storage costs can be considerably higher than the national average. These states have storage fees that are double what you can expect to pay elsewhere - with $250 per month being the average. This will also only include a basic storage facility without any amenities or add-ons.

With that being said, you may find yourself paying a lot less if you live in a state with cheaper land prices. For example, if you live in states like Texas or Georgia, you might end up paying even less than the national average, as most facilities won’t charge you more than $125 per month to park your RV long-term.

In addition to the real estate costs of your local area - supply and demand also play a key role in influencing the cost of RV storage. If there is a ton of people wanting to park their RVs at a facility, you can expect the business owner to take advantage of this to increase their profits. Supply and demand cost increases can be harder to determine as this generally happens on a case-by-case basis.

How to Save Money on RV Storage

When you add it all up, storing your RV can end up costing quite a bit. This can result in hundreds or even thousands of extra dollars to your annual RV ownership costs. This is an expense that a lot of people tend to overlook when buying their recreational vehicles.

Luckily, there are a few things that you can do to cut these costs or eliminate them entirely.

Cancel RV Insurance

If you know that you are going to be parking your RV for a while - especially until the next season, then you should consider canceling your insurance for the duration.

Store Your RV at Home

Not everyone needs to park their RV at a facility. If you have got an empty parking space in your driveway or have a spot where you can park your RV on the street - utilize it, as this is a completely free way to store your vehicle.

Pay a Neighbor

If you don’t have the space to park your RV at home, consider asking one of your neighbors. You can end up finding a storage space near your home for a fraction of what you would pay at a facility and your neighbor gets a little extra income on the side - a win-win for both parties!