Exploring Indoor vs Outdoor RV Storage: Pros and Cons

Protect your RV while it’s not in use with these storage tips:

If you’re an RV owner, one of the most important decisions you’ll ever make involves storage. Do you risk damage to your vehicle in an outdoor RV storage facility, or do you spring for the more expensive, but seemingly more secure indoor RV storage?

What RV owners often don’t realize is just how vast the difference is between indoor RV storage and outdoor RV storage. Everything from your vehicle’s lifespan and resale value, to the size of the hole your storage decision drills in your bank account, rides on the choice you make. With 84% of young adults planning to purchase another RV and the storage industry booming, making the right choice is more important than ever.

You have three RV storage options:

Outdoor uncovered storage. Your RV is parked in an uncovered lot, fully exposed to the elements. This is the cheapest solution, but your RV takes the full brunt of sun, rain, snow and whatever else nature has in store.

Covered outdoor storage. Your RV is still parked outside, but at least you have a roof over its head. Covered outdoor RV storage facilities offer protection from rain and sun, but your RV is still vulnerable to wind, dust and temperature fluctuations.

Indoor storage. Your RV is parked inside a building. Indoor storage offers the most protection from the elements, superior security and some climate control options. It is, however, significantly more expensive.

Budget, the value of your RV and your willingness to take a gamble are all factors that should inform your choice here.

On average, indoor storage costs 100-200% more than outdoor RV storage.

Outdoor uncovered RV storage runs you between $75-$150 per month. Outdoor covered storage nudges that range up to $125-$200 per month. Indoor RV storage? Think $150-$400+ per month, depending on your location and the facility size.

Remember those monthly fees? Multiply them by 60 or more over the course of five years and you’re suddenly talking thousands of dollars in price differences.

Where you’re located matters too.

RV storage facilities in California and New York will be dramatically more expensive than storage facilities in rural Texas. When searching for “RV storage near me”, costs are likely to fluctuate wildly based on supply and demand in your local area.

Did you know that UV rays are the #1 enemy of your RV?

Direct sunlight will fade paint, crack seals and obliterate interior materials over time. Rainwater seeps into every available crack and crevice, encouraging mold and rot.

Outdoor storage doesn’t always equal an early death sentence for your RV, though. Milder climates and a good cover can go a long way towards mitigating weather-related damage. Indoor storage on the other hand completely removes all weather worries, blocking UV rays and eliminating moisture problems.

RV theft is more common than you might think. Outdoor storage lots rely on fences and maybe a few security cameras. If your RV is really targeted, that’s often not enough of a deterrent. Thieves know RVs are both valuable and mobile.

Indoor storage facilities have far more to offer in terms of security:

Hope is not a strategy.

The security difference between indoor and outdoor RV storage is enormous. Outdoor storage means hoping for the best, while indoor storage provides a greater sense of security, particularly if you’re storing a more expensive motorhome.

Want to know something that might surprise you?

The storage choice you make will impact the resale value of your RV, too. A well-kept RV stored indoors can retain 60-70% of its value after five years. An RV left to fend for itself outdoors and in less-than-ideal condition? You might be lucky to get 40% of the value back.

Simple math: If your RV is worth $100,000 today, choosing indoor storage could keep an additional $20,000-$30,000 in value locked into your RV over time. That’s more than enough to justify the higher storage costs for many owners.

You should take several factors into account when making your decision:

Your RV’s current value

A $200,000 motorhome is worth springing for indoor storage. A $15,000 trailer will likely be just fine outside.

Frequency of use

If you use your RV once a week or more, it can probably stand up to outdoor storage. If it only sees the road once a year, you should consider indoor storage.

Climate

Harsh winters and direct sunlight both argue in favor of indoor storage.

Budget

Try not to go broke on storage, but don’t be penny wise and pound foolish when it comes to your investment either.

Can’t make up your mind between indoor and outdoor storage?

Covered storage may be just the thing for you. Partial protection from sun and rain without the full expense of indoor storage. A smart solution for RVs that get regular use but need protecting during periods of extended storage.

Covered facilities often include partial climate control and superior security compared to uncovered lots. Prices tend to split the difference between indoor and outdoor rates as well.

The cheapest alternative of all: home storage.

Parking your RV at home costs you nothing beyond the space it takes up on your property. However, you do need to check your HOA rules. Many neighborhoods prohibit RV parking and can fine you for violations or force you to remove the RV from your property.

Home storage is a great option if you have the space and no restrictions. You are, of course, fully responsible for home security and your insurance may cover home stored RVs differently than RVs in storage facilities.

Before you sign on the dotted line with a storage facility, make sure to ask the following questions:

Getting the answers to these questions up front can save you from major headaches down the road.

The indoor RV storage vs. outdoor RV storage debate is a tough one to call.

The higher price tag of indoor storage is balanced by peace of mind and significantly higher levels of protection. Outdoor storage costs less but leaves you vulnerable to all manner of risks.

Your RV storage decision should be based on your RV’s value, how often you use it and what the climate is like in your area. Don’t let storage costs become a drain on your travel funds, but don’t scrimp and save when it comes to an investment like your RV either.

RV storage costs should be built into your ownership budget from day one. Whether you spend $100 or $400 per month on storage, having an accurate sense of the costs involved will help you make wiser choices. The right storage solution means your rig is always ready for its next adventure.

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