How Much Does It Cost To Store A Camper?

There is no better way to ensure the condition of your camper during the off-season months than to properly store your vehicle, but how much does it cost?

If you are like most campers and travelers, you probably only use your RV during the peak season around summer, which results in storage becoming an issue for many during the winter. There are a number of different ways to park your camper long-term but the most practical approach is to opt for RV storage.

It costs roughly $50 to $200 to store a camper - with the median price being $135.00 per month. However, costs vary depending on the size of your camper, as well as the type of storage that you select - with outdoor facilities charging $50 to $250 per month and indoor sites charging $150 to $500.

The road trip season may be in motion but fall is just around the corner, which means that you should start thinking about where you want to store your camper over the winter. There has been a huge surge in RVers hitting the road in recent years, which has resulted in more people preferring to travel via camper than ever before. However, with so many new campers on the road, RV travelers are going to need to find a place to store their vehicles when not in use. Luckily, there are a ton of great storage options across the country for campers, but they can vary in terms of cost. Each storage facility has a different rate based on the quality of their facility and the parking conditions that they offer. To help you understand this further, we are going to take a closer look at how much it costs to store a camper in more detail.

After extensively researching RV storage facilities, I have been able to gather enough information to determine how much it costs to park a camper long-term. My research has indicated that the storage conditions of each facility are different and prices can fluctuate depending on the region that you live in, as well as the level of protection that you opt for.

‍Cost to Store a Camper by Size & Class

There are a number of different storage options that you should consider for your camper and they all vary in price. However, before we jump into the types of camper storage that are available, you should consider that facilities are going to charge you a rate based on the size and classification of your camper.

Each camper is different and will take up a certain amount of space based on its specs. You can expect large campers to be charged considerably more per month compared to small campers.

Generally speaking, you should expect to pay a monthly rate of $90 to $185 to store your camper based on its size and classification - with $135.00 being the average. This figure can vary depending on the storage conditions of the vehicle, as well as the location of the site. Let’s break down camper storage costs based on size and class.

Fifth-Wheel Storage Costs

Fifth-Wheels are the largest trailer campers on the market. These are very popular RVs that can be attached to a 4x4 vehicle and they are usually non-collapsable.

Given that Fifth-Wheels are the biggest trailer campers on the market, they are among the most expensive to store - with costs averaging around $185 per month. This is for full-sized Fifth-Wheel campers that are roughly 35 to 40 ft long.

With that being said, Fifth-Wheel storage can be more affordable if the vehicle is smaller. These campers come in a variety of sizes and the smallest options are around 25 ft long. A Fifth-Wheel between 25 and 30 ft may only get charged $120 to $150 per month.

Travel Trailer Storage Costs

Travel trailers have the most dynamic size variation of any RV camper. These vehicles can be as small as a tiny pop-up or as large as a Fifth-Wheel depending on the design.

If you own a travel trailer, you should find out exactly how large your camper is so that you can estimate your storage costs. The size of a travel trailer can vary from 10 to 40 ft. A large-size travel trailer that is 35 to 40 ft can easily cost as much as $185 per month to store.

However, a small size travel trailer that is just 10 to 15 ft long should not cost more than $90 per month. Mid-sized travel trailers that are between 20 and 30 ft will normally be priced somewhere in the middle - with most facilities charging around $150 per month.

Pop-Up Trailer Storage Costs

If you want to keep your storage costs as low as possible, a pop-up trailer is going to be the way to go. These are the smallest RV campers on the market, which is why they are generally the easiest to maintain and the cheapest to store.

Most pop-up trailers never exceed 15 ft in length and some of the smallest options can be as tiny as 8 ft. That is why you rarely see storage costs that are more than $90 per month for pop-up trailers.

Cost of Outdoor Camper Storage

The most straightforward approach to storing a camper is to find an outdoor facility. These facilities offer basic protection for your camper but they are often the cheapest way to go out about parking your recreational vehicle for the long haul - with most sites charging between $50 and $250 per month.

This is a great way to store your vehicle if you live in a stable climate and are comfortable with your camper being parked outside for months. With that said, if you are concerned about your camper and want to feel assured that it is going to have optimum protection, then outdoor storage may not be the most reliable option - with indoor facilities offering better conditions. More on this later.

There are various kinds of outdoor camper storage options. A facility may offer covered or uncovered outdoor storage, which will ultimately affect the price.

Regardless of the type of outdoor camper storage that you end up going with, make sure that the site is well-maintained and fenced off. If you are going to entrust your camper to an outdoor facility, they should offer basic security and suitable conditions for your vehicle.

Uncovered Camper Storage

If you want to store your camper without breaking the bank, uncovered storage sites are going to be your best bet. These facilities offer basic protection for your camper and they will generally charge around $50 to $175 per month.

The conditions of these sites can vary greatly, which is why you should always assess the facility beforehand. Uncovered storage is generally located on a lot or field, which can either be:

• Paved
• Gravel
• Dirt

If you are planning on storing your camper at one of these sites, you should keep in mind that there are risks involved. It is not uncommon for campers to be vandalized or scraped by other RVs that you share the lot with.

Given that the site is uncovered, you can expect your camper to get weathered quite a bit while it is parked. If you decide to go with this kind of storage, make sure that you properly winterize your vehicle beforehand. I would also recommend using a cover when parking your vehicle at one of these sites, as it is going to be the only protection that your camper gets from the natural environment - including rain, sun, hail, and snow.

Covered Camper Storage

If you are on the fence between choosing an indoor or outdoor facility, covered camper storage is the perfect middle ground. These sites are still technically ‘outdoor’ but your camper is covered by a canopy or carport - with either a roof or even surrounding walls.

Covered camper storage gives you added protection from the surrounding environment and it will ensure that your vehicle does not get badly damaged by weathering. The cost of covered camper storage is usually between $125 and $175.

Each site is different and you will have to pay more based on the size of your camper, as well as whether the facility offers a canopy or carport. Canopy storage is going to cost more given that your vehicle has protective walls, as well as a roof.

With that said, keep in mind that covered storage is still outdoors, which means that you will have to winterize your vehicle before you park, as neither a canopy nor a carport is going to prevent damage from freezing temperatures.

Cost of Indoor Camper Storage

A camper is a major investment for a lot of people and if you want to get as many years as possible out of your vehicle, you should consider paying for indoor storage. Indoor storage facilities offer the best protection and they will ensure that your vehicle is not damaged during the off-season months.

Indoor camper storage can also end up costing a lot more - with most sites charging between $125 and $350 per month. However, there are premium indoor storage options that offer top-notch security, conditions, and even amenities to their customers. These can easily end up costing as much as $500 per month.

Indoor Garage Storage

An indoor garage is a safe bet for anyone who wants to store their camper in contained conditions without spending too much. An indoor garage usually charges around $125 to $250 per month for campers.

These sites have solid security and prevent weathering, which could imply that you do not need to winterize your vehicle as thoroughly. You should always inquire whether the site is insulated or heated. If it is, you can rest assured that your camper is going to be safe throughout the winter.

The only real drawback of an indoor garage is that you run the risk of your camper getting damaged by other drivers. Although your vehicle should be relatively safe at an indoor facility, there is a chance that your camper could get a scratch or dent while parked.

Private Garage Storage

If you have an expensive camper that you have invested a lot of money into, you may not want to take any chances. The best way to guarantee the safety and security of your vehicle is to opt for a private garage.

A private garage will give you the best protection possible from the external environment, vandalism, and even other vehicles. These are closed sites that are well maintained and often heated or insulated so that your camper does not get damaged by harsh winter conditions.

With that said, a private garage is going to charge you a lot to store your camper. The month-to-month costs can vary, but you should expect to pay anywhere from $150 to $500 depending on the type of facility that you select and the size of your vehicle.

Costs can also increase at a private garage if you choose to upgrade your services, as some sites offer amenities to their customers such as:

• Cleaning
• Black & Graywater draining
• Heating
• Maintenance
• Winterization services

Naturally, the bigger your storage package, the more you will have to pay. However, if you want to feel assured that your camper is in good hands, a private garage is your best option.