6 Best Outdoor Gear Storage For RVs To Maximize Every Inch
Reclaim your RV with smart outdoor gear storage.
That moment of frustration is universal for RVers. You’re standing in a beautiful campsite, but you can’t find the leveling blocks because they’re buried under three camp chairs and a tangled water hose in the pass-through bay. This isn’t just an inconvenience; it’s a thief of time and energy, stealing from the very freedom you bought an RV to enjoy.
Level your RV on uneven terrain with these durable, interlocking blocks. The set includes 12 heavy-duty blocks (10 standard, 2 top) and a convenient carrying bag for easy storage.
Effective outdoor gear storage is the bedrock of a smooth RV experience. It’s not about bringing less, but about being smarter with the space you have. When your gear is organized, accessible, and secure, you spend less time wrestling with your rig and more time enjoying your destination.
The right solution isn’t about finding one giant box to solve all your problems. It’s about creating a system of interlocking solutions that use every available inch—the roof, the hitch, the underbelly, and even the ladder. This approach transforms your RV from a cluttered container into a highly efficient and comfortable basecamp for adventure.
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Reclaim Your Space with Smart RV Storage Solutions
Every RV, from a Class A motorhome to a pop-up camper, has the same fundamental challenge: finite space. Outdoor gear—chairs, grills, bikes, kayaks—is inherently bulky and often dirty, making it a poor fit for your limited interior living area. The battle for space is real, and it’s won or lost in your exterior storage bays and on the outside of your rig.
The goal is to leverage underutilized real estate. Think vertically and externally. Your RV’s roof, hitch receiver, and pass-through compartments are blank canvases waiting for the right storage solution to make them functional. Smart storage turns these dead zones into purpose-built homes for your essential equipment.
Ultimately, the best outdoor storage gear shares three key traits: durability, accessibility, and security. It must withstand highway speeds and harsh weather, allow you to get what you need without unpacking everything else, and give you peace of mind that your valuable gear will still be there when you return from a hike.
Thule Motion XT: Your Rooftop Gear Garage
Reduce drag and improve fuel efficiency with the Thule Motion 3 XXL's aerodynamic design. Its PowerClick quick-mount system ensures fast, secure installation with an integrated torque indicator.
A rooftop cargo box is one of the most effective ways to add a significant amount of storage without increasing your RV’s footprint. It takes advantage of the vast, empty space above your head. This is the perfect spot for bulky but relatively lightweight items that can quickly clog up your interior or basement storage.
Look for features that make life on the road easier. A model like the Thule Motion XT is designed with aerodynamics in mind, which helps mitigate the impact on fuel economy. Its dual-side opening is a game-changer in tight campsites, allowing you to access your gear from whichever side is more convenient, while the integrated locking system secures your belongings.
There are tradeoffs, of course. A rooftop box adds to your vehicle’s total height, demanding extra awareness when navigating low-clearance bridges or tree branches. You must also respect the weight limits of both the box and your RV’s roof. Use it for things like sleeping bags, folding chairs, fishing rods, or skis—not your cast iron cookware collection.
Haul More Gear with a CURT Hitch Cargo Carrier
Carry up to 500 lbs outside your vehicle with this durable steel cargo carrier. It features a folding shank for easy storage and integrated reflectors for enhanced safety on the road.
Your RV’s hitch receiver is more than just a place to tow a car; it’s a powerful mounting point for heavy-duty storage. A hitch-mounted cargo carrier is the workhorse of outdoor storage, ideal for items that are too heavy, dirty, or awkward for other locations. Think generators, overflowing coolers, firewood, or a portable waste tank.
These carriers are built for abuse. A steel-constructed carrier from a brand like CURT provides a sturdy platform with high side rails to contain your gear. Many models also feature a folding shank, allowing you to tilt the carrier up against the back of the RV when it’s not in use, which is a huge help when parking in a standard-sized spot.
Before you load one up, know your numbers. You need to be aware of your hitch’s tongue weight capacity and ensure the total weight of the carrier and your gear doesn’t exceed it. You also have to guarantee your license plate and taillights remain visible; light kits are available for this very reason. It extends your length, so backing up requires extra care, but the trade-off is keeping the messiest gear outside your living space.
MORryde Sliding Trays: Access Your Underbelly
Easily access your truck bed cargo with the MORryde sliding tray. This fully assembled, carpeted tray boasts an 800 lb capacity and installs in minutes without measuring or cutting.
The pass-through storage bay, or "basement," is a fantastic amount of space that is often deeply impractical. It becomes a black hole where items in the middle are nearly impossible to reach without pulling everything out first. This is a classic example of having space you can’t actually use efficiently.
Sliding cargo trays completely transform these compartments. Products like the MORryde sliding trays are essentially heavy-duty drawers that bring the entire contents of your bay out into the open. Built with ball-bearing slides and rated for hundreds of pounds, they make it effortless to access heavy toolboxes, grills, or storage totes.
This is more of an upgrade than a simple accessory, and it requires a proper installation. However, the investment pays for itself in reduced frustration and saved time. By making the deepest parts of your basement storage 100% accessible, you effectively double the usable space and turn a chaotic cavern into an organized and functional gear locker.
Kuat Sherpa 2.0: Secure Your Bikes on the Go
Transport two bikes weighing up to 40 lbs each with this lightweight aluminum hitch rack. Features a foot-assisted pivot system for trunk access and a one-handed adjustable arm that secures bikes by their tires, protecting the frame. Includes an integrated cable lock for added security.
Bikes are one of the best accessories for an RV lifestyle, but they are notoriously difficult to store. Leaning them inside risks greasy chains on your upholstery and scuffed walls. A dedicated, high-quality bike rack is the only sensible solution for anyone who travels with two wheels.
A platform-style hitch rack, such as the Kuat Sherpa 2.0, is an excellent choice for RVs. It secures bikes by the wheels, avoiding any contact with the frame, which is crucial for carbon fiber bikes or those with unusual geometries. Features like integrated cable locks and a tilting mechanism that allows you to access the rear of your vehicle are not just conveniences; they are essential for life on the road.
It is critically important to choose a rack that is specifically rated for use on an RV. The forces at the back of a trailer or motorhome are much more violent than those behind a passenger car. A standard car rack can fail under these conditions. Whether you mount to the hitch or the bumper, verify its RV rating to ensure your bikes arrive safely.
Your Ladder Becomes Storage with Stromberg Carlson
That ladder on the back of your motorhome or trailer is one of the most overlooked storage opportunities. While its primary purpose is roof access, it can easily serve a dual function with the right accessories. This is a perfect example of maximizing what you already have.
Simple, effective rack systems from companies like Stromberg Carlson are designed to clamp directly onto the vertical posts of your RV ladder. These racks provide a secure platform for strapping on long, relatively flat items. They are an ideal home for a set of folding camp chairs, a portable solar panel, or even a blue boy portable waste tank.
This solution has its limits. Ladder racks are not meant for heavy or bulky items, and you must be careful not to overload the ladder itself. Always ensure your load is securely strapped down and doesn’t obstruct your rear lights or camera. Think of it as supplemental storage—a clever way to get a few more bulky items out of your main compartments.
Tame Your Gear with the Rubbermaid FastTrack System
Organize your garage easily with the Rubbermaid FastTrack 24-piece kit. The heavy-duty steel system supports up to 1,750 lbs and features adjustable hooks and rails for customized storage.
Adding external boxes and racks is only half the battle. The other half is organizing the inside of those spaces. Simply piling gear into a storage bay creates a jumbled mess that you have to dig through every time you need something.
A wall-mounted track system, like the Rubbermaid FastTrack, is a brilliant solution that can be adapted for RV basements. You securely mount the horizontal rail to an interior wall of the storage bay. Then, you can click in a huge variety of hooks and holders designed for everything from power cords and water hoses to shovels and tools.
This system forces organization by using the vertical space inside your compartments. It gets items off the floor, preventing them from shifting and breaking in transit. Instead of a pile, you have a neat wall of gear where everything is visible and easy to grab, transforming your storage bay from a junk drawer into a functional workshop.
Final Tips for Your Perfect RV Storage Setup
There is no single product that will solve all your RV storage needs. The best approach is to create a customized system that combines several different solutions. A rooftop box for lightweight bulk, a hitch carrier for heavy gear, and an organized basement for everything else creates a holistic and highly effective setup.
Start by conducting a "gear audit." Pull out everything you plan to bring on a typical trip and lay it on a tarp. Group items by size, weight, frequency of use, and whether they can get wet. This simple exercise will give you a clear picture of your needs and guide you toward the right combination of storage solutions.
Ultimately, smart storage is about reducing friction. It’s about designing a system that makes setting up and breaking down camp faster and less stressful. When your gear has a designated, accessible home, you’re free to spend your precious time and mental energy on what matters most: exploring, relaxing, and making memories.
Maximizing every inch of your RV isn’t about minimalist sacrifice; it’s about intelligent design. By strategically using your roof, hitch, ladder, and bays, you transform your vehicle from a simple mode of transport into a capable and organized adventure platform. This thoughtful approach to storage is what truly unlocks the freedom and ease of the RV lifestyle, ensuring your focus remains on the road ahead, not on the clutter you left behind.
