Boat & RV Storage: A Growing Opportunity for Self-Storage Developers
Boat and RV storage has become an increasingly attractive opportunity for self-storage owners and developers looking to diversify their properties and create a higher-value storage product. Whether added to an existing self-storage facility or developed as a stand-alone property, a well-designed Boat & RV storage site can serve a growing customer base while making productive use of larger parcels of land.
For developers, the opportunity is not simply about storing boats and RVs. It is about designing the right mix of storage products, creating convenient access for large vehicles, and selecting a location that makes the property easy for customers to use.
Why Consider Boat & RV Storage?
Boat and RV ownership continues to represent a significant recreational market in the United States. While new boat sales have moderated from the peak levels seen earlier in the decade, the overall boating market remains substantial. In 2025, the U.S. pre-owned boat market alone represented more than 867,000 sales and approximately $10.8 billion in value.
The RV market also continues to demonstrate long-term strength. The RV Industry Association reported 342,220 RV shipments in 2025, up 2.5% from 2024, while 8.1 million U.S. households currently own an RV. The association also reports that 16.9 million households have a strong interest in purchasing an RV within the next five years.
These trends create an opportunity for storage developers. Boats and RVs are large, valuable assets that many homeowners cannot accommodate at their residences. Homeowner associations, limited driveway space, neighborhood restrictions and the sheer size of these vehicles can create a need for convenient off-site storage.
Boat & RV Storage as an Addition to Self-Storage
For an existing self-storage property, Boat & RV storage can be an excellent way to expand the property’s product mix.
Traditional self-storage typically focuses on smaller enclosed units, while Boat & RV storage allows an owner to capture a completely different customer. A property might include conventional climate-controlled and drive-up storage along with outdoor, canopy-covered and fully enclosed Boat & RV spaces.
This diversification can help a facility serve more customers without relying entirely on traditional 5×10, 10×10 and 10×20 storage units.
Boat & RV storage can also be particularly attractive when a property has excess acreage that isn’t ideal for traditional self-storage buildings. Larger parcels, irregular portions of a site or areas with challenging grades may sometimes be better suited for vehicle storage.
Boat & RV Storage as a Stand-Alone Development
Boat & RV storage doesn’t have to be an accessory to a traditional self-storage facility. In the right market, it can make sense as a stand-alone investment.
A stand-alone property allows the developer to design the entire site around the needs of large recreational vehicles. Instead of trying to fit Boat & RV spaces around conventional storage buildings, the site can be engineered from the beginning for vehicle circulation, turning radiuses, larger parking spaces, security and customer convenience.
This can also create opportunities to develop a broader range of storage classes, from economical uncovered parking to premium fully enclosed units.
Location Matters
Location is one of the most important considerations when evaluating a Boat & RV storage site.
Unlike traditional self-storage, where customers may visit their units frequently, Boat & RV customers are often looking for convenient access to the highway, a lake, campground, marina or recreational destination.
Proximity to Major Highways
Easy highway access can be a significant advantage. Customers towing a large boat or RV don’t want to navigate narrow residential streets or complicated routes just to reach their storage space.
A site located near a major highway can provide convenient access for customers traveling to and from their homes, campgrounds, lakes, beaches and other recreational destinations.
Visibility from a major roadway can also provide valuable marketing exposure, although the best site is not necessarily the property with the highest traffic count. Accessibility, zoning, land cost and the surrounding customer base all need to be considered.
Acreage
Boat & RV storage generally requires more land per rentable space than traditional self-storage. Developers should think about the entire site—not simply the amount of land that can be covered by buildings.
Important considerations include:
- Vehicle circulation
- Drive aisle widths
- Turning radiuses
- Stormwater management
- Setbacks
- Landscaping requirements
- Fire access
- Security gates
- Future expansion
- Parking and customer access
A larger parcel can also provide flexibility to phase the development. An owner might begin with outdoor or canopy storage and add enclosed buildings as demand grows.
Three Classes of Boat & RV Storage
One of the biggest opportunities in Boat & RV development is creating multiple classes of storage on the same property.
Rather than offering one type of space, developers can create a property that serves customers at different price points and provides different levels of protection.
1. Fully Enclosed Boat & RV Storage
Fully enclosed storage represents the premium end of the Boat & RV market.
These units provide customers with the highest level of protection from weather, sun and the elements. They can also provide additional security and privacy for higher-value boats, RVs and other recreational equipment.
Fully enclosed units typically command a premium rental rate, making them an attractive component of a well-designed facility.
The tradeoff is higher construction cost and greater land and building investment. However, in markets with strong demand for premium storage, enclosed units can provide a compelling revenue opportunity.
Developers should also pay close attention to clear heights and door dimensions. Large recreational vehicles require substantially more clearance than traditional self-storage units.
2. Three-Sided Storage
Three-sided storage offers a middle ground between uncovered parking and fully enclosed storage.
These structures provide a roof and side protection while leaving the front open for vehicle access. They can offer customers protection from sun, rain and snow without the cost of a completely enclosed building.
For developers, three-sided storage can be an efficient way to provide a higher-quality product while maintaining a lower construction cost than fully enclosed units.
This class can work particularly well for customers who want additional protection but don’t necessarily need a completely enclosed building.
3. Angled Canopies
Angled canopy storage can provide another highly efficient solution, particularly when maximizing the number of rentable spaces on a property is important.
Instead of positioning spaces at 90 degrees to the drive aisle, units can be arranged at angles such as 30, 45 or 60 degrees.
The primary advantage is improved vehicle circulation. Angled spaces can reduce the amount of maneuvering required for large boats and RVs and can allow the developer to reduce pull-in aisle requirements compared with traditional 90-degree layouts. Industry design guidance has specifically identified angled parking as a way to improve access and reduce aisle requirements.
The angle selected should be based on the types and lengths of vehicles the facility is intended to accommodate, the site’s geometry and the desired balance between rentable area and circulation.
For example, a 30-degree layout may provide a different balance of site efficiency and maneuverability than a 45- or 60-degree configuration. The right answer depends on the specific property rather than using one standard layout for every project.
Design the Site Around the Customer
One of the most important differences between Boat & RV storage and traditional self-storage is vehicle movement.
An RV or boat trailer is considerably different from a customer driving a car to a 10×10 storage unit. Customers need enough room to pull into their space, back out and maneuver without difficulty.
That means the site plan should consider:
- Drive aisle widths
- Turning radiuses
- Space length and width
- Vehicle height
- Trailer maneuverability
- One-way versus two-way traffic
- Gate locations
- Fire access
- Drainage and site grades
- Lighting and security
The design should also account for the largest vehicles expected at the property rather than simply designing for the average boat or RV.
Consider Multiple Classes From the Beginning
A strong Boat & RV development doesn’t necessarily have to choose between enclosed, three-sided and canopy storage.
In many cases, the best opportunity is to offer all three.
A property could include premium fully enclosed units for customers willing to pay the highest rental rates, three-sided units for customers looking for protection at a lower price point, and angled canopy spaces for customers primarily looking for convenient and affordable storage.
This creates a tiered product offering that can appeal to a much broader customer base.
It also gives the owner flexibility to adjust the mix based on market demand.
Boat & RV Storage Can Be a Powerful Development Opportunity
Boat and RV storage should no longer be viewed simply as extra parking at a self-storage facility. With the right market, site and design, it can become a significant standalone storage category.
The continued popularity of RV travel and recreational boating, combined with the challenges many owners face storing large vehicles at home, creates a compelling long-term opportunity. RV ownership has expanded beyond the traditional retiree demographic, with the median age of RV owners falling to 49 and first-time owners representing 36% of current RV owners.
For developers considering a Boat & RV project, the key is to start with the land and work backward into the product mix. Look for adequate acreage, strong demographics, convenient highway access and proximity to recreational destinations. Then design the site around the vehicles—not simply around the buildings.
At Miller Buildings, we understand that successful Boat & RV storage requires more than putting a canopy on a piece of land. The layout, building type, access, vehicle circulation and future expansion all play a role in creating a property that works for both the customer and the owner.
Whether you’re looking to add Boat & RV storage to an existing self-storage facility or develop a stand-alone property, the right combination of fully enclosed, three-sided and angled canopy storage can create a flexible and highly marketable storage solution.