6 Best Camping Gear Racks For RVs That Maximize Every Inch
Stop the clutter. These racks maximize your RV space.
That last-minute shuffle is a ritual for too many RVers. You’re trying to cram the camp chairs, the portable grill, and the extra cooler into a storage bay that’s already full. It feels like a losing game of Tetris, and it steals the joy from the start of your trip.
This isn’t a sign you have too much stuff. It’s a sign that your gear doesn’t have a proper home. Living small doesn’t mean living without; it means being incredibly intentional about where everything goes.
The right external storage rack isn’t just an accessory; it’s a fundamental part of an efficient and stress-free RV lifestyle. It frees up precious interior space, keeps dirty gear outside, and makes setting up camp a breeze. It’s time to stop fighting your storage bays and start using every available inch of your rig.
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Stop Cramming: Find Your Perfect RV Gear Rack
The core problem in any small space is finding a dedicated spot for every single item. When gear lives outside the main cabin, it declutters your living area and your mind. External racks create these dedicated spots for the bulky, dirty, or awkward items that just don’t belong inside.
There is no single "best" RV rack. The perfect solution depends entirely on what you need to carry and what kind of rig you drive. A fifth wheel has different options than a Class B van, and a family carrying four bikes has different needs than a couple with a generator.
Think of your RV as a platform with several potential storage zones: the hitch, the bumper, the roof, and the ladder. Each zone is best suited for a different type of gear and a different type of rack. The goal is to match the right gear to the right zone using the right piece of equipment.
CURT 18153: Your Go-To Hitch Hauling Hero
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.
Every RVer should consider a hitch-mounted cargo carrier first. This is your workhorse. It’s the ideal place for things you never want inside your rig: firewood, leaky coolers, muddy gear, or a noisy generator.
The CURT 18153 stands out for its straightforward, durable design. Its tubular steel construction and mesh base can handle heavy loads, while the 6-inch high sides give you confidence that your gear will stay put. The angled shank provides better ground clearance for navigating bumpy campground roads, and many models fold up when not in use.
But remember the tradeoffs. A hitch rack adds length to your vehicle, which can make maneuvering and parking more difficult. You must know your vehicle’s tongue weight capacity and the total weight of your carrier and gear. Exceeding this limit is a serious safety hazard.
Thule Canyon XT: Conquer Your RV Roof Storage
Haul more gear with the Thule Canyon XT Basket. Its wedge-shaped, low-profile design and included wind fairing offer easy loading and improved airflow, supporting up to 150 lbs. Versatile mounting fits most rack systems.
Your RV’s roof is some of the most underutilized real estate you own. With the right rack, it becomes the perfect spot for bulky but relatively lightweight items. Think kayaks, recovery boards, or weatherproof cargo boxes filled with seasonal clothing or emergency supplies.
The Thule Canyon XT is a versatile and robust roof basket that works well on many RVs, especially Class B and C models. Its tapered side walls make loading easier, and its aerodynamic shape helps reduce wind noise on the highway—a major factor for long travel days. The system is also expandable, allowing you to add length for larger items.
The biggest challenge with roof storage is access. You need a reliable, sturdy ladder and a safe system for getting heavy items up and down. You also have to be constantly aware of your new, taller clearance. That low-hanging branch at the campground just became a much bigger threat.
Surco Ladder Rack: Hang Chairs & Bulky Gear
Easily transport up to 6 chairs with the SURCO 501CR Ladder Mounted Chair Rack. Its pivoting arms provide full ladder access, and the padded sleeve ensures secure, strap-free mounting to any 1" round van or RV ladder.
Don’t overlook the humble RV ladder. For items you need to access the moment you park, a ladder-mounted rack is an incredibly efficient solution. This is the perfect home for your camp chairs, a small folding table, or even a portable sewer tank carrier.
The Surco Ladder Rack is a simple, effective design that hooks securely over your existing ladder rungs. It creates a small, stable platform without any drilling or complex installation. Because it’s made of heavy-gauge aluminum, it won’t rust and adds minimal weight to your rig.
This is a supplemental storage solution, not a primary one. These racks have a very specific purpose and a low weight capacity, usually around 50 pounds. They are only for use on strong, factory-installed ladders, not on decorative or aftermarket additions.
Mount-n-Lock Bumper Rack: Secure Your Bumper
Upgrade your RV bumper to a robust cargo carrier with SafetyStruts Heavy Duty Brackets. These USA-made steel brackets provide 400 lbs of cargo capacity and include all necessary hardware for easy installation.
That square tube bumper on the back of many travel trailers looks like a tempting place to strap a bike rack or storage tub. Don’t do it. Most RV bumpers are made of thin steel welded weakly to the frame; they simply aren’t designed to handle the dynamic load of gear bouncing down the highway.
This is where a bumper reinforcement system like the Mount-n-Lock comes in. Instead of just clamping onto the weak bumper, these heavy-duty steel brackets attach directly to the RV’s frame. They create a solid, secure foundation that can safely support a cargo tray or bike rack.
This isn’t just a storage accessory; it’s a critical safety upgrade. Using a purpose-built, frame-mounted support system prevents the catastrophic bumper failure that leaves other people’s gear scattered across the interstate. If you plan to carry anything on your bumper, you need to reinforce it first.
MORryde Cargo Tray: Access Your Bay With Ease
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.
Sometimes the best way to maximize space is to make your existing space more accessible. The cavernous pass-through storage bay on a fifth wheel or Class A is great in theory, but in practice, the gear in the middle becomes almost impossible to reach. This leads to unpacking half the bay just to find one thing.
A MORryde Cargo Tray solves this problem elegantly. These heavy-duty sliding trays are installed inside your storage bay and can slide out, often in both directions. This brings all your gear out into the open, turning a frustrating black hole of storage into an organized, accessible pantry or garage.
This solution doesn’t add a single cubic inch of storage. Instead, it makes every existing inch 100% usable. It’s an investment in efficiency and ergonomics, saving your back from contorting and your mind from the stress of the dreaded "bay-dig."
Yakima EXO System: The Ultimate Gear Solution
Transform your 2-inch hitch into a versatile cargo platform with the Yakima EXO SwingBase. Easily swing your loaded gear away for rear vehicle access, and enjoy secure, tool-free installation with integrated locks.
For the RVer with diverse and changing hobbies, a modular system is the answer. One weekend you’re mountain biking, the next you’re kayaking, and the next you just need to haul extra cargo. A fixed, single-purpose rack just doesn’t offer that kind of flexibility.
The Yakima EXO System is a complete ecosystem built around a single hitch mount. The base is a swing-away arm that allows you to access the back of your rig. From there, you can add a cargo box, a bike rack, a ski rack, or even a second tier on top to combine two different carriers at once.
This level of flexibility comes at a premium price and adds significant weight and complexity. It’s a serious investment for the dedicated adventurer who needs a system that can adapt to any trip. For the right person, it replaces two or three separate racks and offers unparalleled convenience.
How to Choose the Right RV Rack for Your Rig
There is no "one-size-fits-all" answer when it comes to RV racks. The best choice for your neighbor might be a terrible choice for you. Making the right decision comes down to honestly evaluating three key areas.
Start by thinking systematically about your needs. Don’t just buy a rack; solve a specific storage problem. A clear framework will guide you to the perfect solution for your rig and your travel style.
- Analyze Your Gear: What, specifically, are you trying to carry? Make a list and note the weight, dimensions, and shape of each item. Is it something dirty like firewood that needs to be outside, or something you need to access frequently, like camp chairs?
- Assess Your RV: What are the structural limits of your rig? You must know your hitch’s tongue weight rating, your roof’s maximum load capacity, and your bumper’s construction. Your RV’s manual is the definitive source for this information.
- Consider Your Travel Style: Are you a weekend warrior or a full-timer? Do you mostly stay in paved resorts, or do you venture down rough forest service roads where ground clearance is critical? Your habits dictate the durability and features you’ll need.
Ultimately, mastering small space living isn’t about owning less. It’s about creating a logical, efficient, and dedicated home for everything you choose to bring with you on your journey. The right rack is a tool that helps you achieve that.
By moving bulky, dirty, or awkward gear to a secure external carrier, you reclaim your interior space. This transforms your RV from a cluttered storage unit into a peaceful and functional home on wheels. The daily friction of shuffling gear disappears, replaced by the ease of a well-designed system.
Take the time to analyze your gear, understand your rig’s capabilities, and invest in the right solution. You’re not just buying a piece of metal; you’re designing a mobile lifestyle that works for you, maximizing every inch so you can maximize every adventure.
