General Info

If you feel like youre seeing more RVs on the road than ever, youre correct. According to the Recreational Vehicle Industry Association, shipments of RVs and campers have increased significantly in recent years.Owners of these vehicles as well as boats and other toys need a place to keep them. For a self-storage owner or developer, these clients present unique opportunities and requirements. Following are the various unit types you can build as well as some development and operational considerations.Unit TypesLets begin by looking at the types of units you can build for the storage of boats and RVs. There are options for exposed (or partially exposed) and enclosed.Fully open storage is the most basic type. Its simply outdoor parking. Spaces must be graded and paved or covered with gravel to prevent vehicles from getting stuck in the mud. They should also be clearly marked and delineated. This is a common use for extra land, even while waiting to build future phases of self-storage.More popular in southern regions, an overhead canopy protects stored items from sun exposure. Canopy storage still carries many of the inherent risks associated with open storage, though it will typically earn double the rent of an open parking space.The final exposed option is three-sided storage. Adding sides and a back wall to a covered space provides greater protection from wind and snow without the expense of adding doors.Fully enclosed units offer protection from the elements, reduce the potential for theft, and all but eliminate the possibility of vehicles parking in the wrong location (if you lock your empty units). These can be broken into two categories: large, traditional storage units and specialized boat/RV units.