RV and boat storage facilities have traditionally focused on one thing: providing a safe, secure place to storage large recreational vehicles. But as the industry evolves, many operators are discovering an opportunity to serve their customers in a whole new way.
Today’s RV and boat owners have much more than just a vehicle to store. Camping gear, fishing equipment, generators, paddleboards, life jackets, tools, and seasonal accessories all need a home, and not everything fits inside an RV or boat.
As the number of RV owners continues to grow, so does the demand for convenient storage solutions. According to the RV Industry Association, 8.1 million U.S. households currently own an RV, and another 16.9 million households are interested in purchasing one within the next five years. The organization also reports the RV owners are using their vehicles more than ever, with a median annual usage increasing by 50% compared to previous years.
For storage operators, that presents an opportunity to offer more than just a parking space.
More Than Just a Parking Spot
Owning an RV or boat comes with a surprising amount of equipment.
Many owners need space for:
- Camping chairs and outdoor furniture
- Grills and cooking equipment
- Fishing gear and tackle
- Kayaks and paddleboards
- Life jackets and water toys
- Generators
- Spare tires and replacement parts
- Cleaning supplies and maintenance equipment
- Seasonal decorations and outdoor accessories
While some of these items travel with the vehicle, many don’t. Customers often find themselves loading and unloading gear from their garage before every trip or trying to cram equipment into already full compartments.
Offering self-storage at the same location gives customers one convenient place to keep everything they need for their next adventure.
Turning Unused Property into Productive Space
Many RV and boat storage facilities have portions of their property that are difficult to monetize.
Fencelines, setbacks, perimeter areas, irregular corners, and other unused spaces may not accommodate another RV parking space, but they can often support relocatable self-storage units.
Rather than leaving these areas unused, operators can convert them into rentable storage while preserving the flexibility to expand or reconfigure the property in the future. It’s a practical way to increase the earning potential of existing land without constructing another permanent building.
One Property. Two Revenue Streams.
One of the biggest advantages of combining RV and boat parking with self-storage isn’t just attracting new customers; it’s creating additional value for the customers you already have.
An RV owner may rent a covered parking space for their vehicle while also renting a storage unit for camping gear, spare parts, generators, bicycles, or seasonal equipment they don’t want to take up valuable space inside their RV.
The same is true for boat owners. Life jackets, tow ropes, fishing gear, maintenance supplies, and water toys can all be stored in a nearby unit, making it easy to grab everything needed for the next outing without hauling it back and forth from home.
Instead of serving one storage need, operators can serve two. That creates better customer experience while increasing the revenue generated from a single customer. It can also encourage longer customer relationships by making the facility a one-stop destination for everything associated with their recreational lifestyle.
Why Operators Are Choosing a Mixed Storage Model
Adding self-storage alongside RV and boat parking offers several advantages:
- Create additional rental income from existing property.
- Increase revenue per customer.
- Make productive use of perimeter areas and irregular spaces.
- Offer added convenience for renters.
- Expand capacity without immediately committing to permanent construction.
- Add storage in phases as demand grows.
Rather than waiting for a large expansion project, operators can gradually add storage capacity based on occupancy and customer demand. A Toy Box Storage is one example. By adding 56 relocatable 10×20 self-storage units on previously unused land, the facility created 11,200 square feet of new rentable storage space while maximizing the value of its existing property.
Building a More Versatile Storage Facility
As more people embrace RV and boating lifestyles, they’re also accumulating the equipment that comes with them.
Facilities that recognize this shift have an opportunity to provide a more complete storage solution while maximizing the value of their property.
For many operators, the question is no longer whether customers need additional storage; it’s how to provide it in a way that complements their existing business. By combining RV and boat parking with self-storage, facilities can better serve today’s customers, generate additional revenue, and maintain the flexibility to grow as demand changes.
Why are RV and boat storage facilities adding self-storage units?
RV and boat owners have equipment that doesn’t fit inside their vehicle. Adding self-storage allows facilities to better serve those customers while creating an additional revenue stream.
Where can relocatable self-storage units be placed?
They’re commonly placed along fencelines, perimeter areas, setbacks, and other portions of a property that may not be suitable for additional RV or boat parking spaces, helping operators make better use of available space.
Can customers rent both an RV parking space and a storage unit?
Absolutely. Many facilities find that customers appreciate having one location to store both their recreational vehicle and the equipment that goes with it, creating added convenience while increasing revenue per customer. . Many facilities find that customers apprecuate having one location to store both their recreational vehicle and the equipment that goes with it, creating added convenience while increasing revenue per customer.
Boxwell designs, manufactures, and installs industry-leading storage solutions. Our lineup includes relocatable self-storage units, portable containers, hallway systems, and roll up doors. Every product is fully customizable and built to last—trusted by companies across the United States, Canada, Europe, the United Kingdom, Australia, the Middle East, Asia, and beyond.
Boxwell is Built For Your Success. From the start, our mission has been simple: create the best B2B storage products and back them with outstanding customer support. Our clients gain access to dedicated Account Managers, design and installation services, and extensive product warranties.
We are here to help. Contact Boxwell today via our email, sales@boxwell.co, or call 303-317-5850.