7 Best UV Resistant Outdoor Storage Boxes for RVs That Nomads Swear By
Find the best UV-resistant storage boxes for your RV. We review 7 top picks that seasoned nomads trust to protect their gear from the elements.
Nothing will teach you about material science faster than living on the road. You watch the sun bake your gear day after day, and you quickly learn what lasts and what turns to dust. An ordinary plastic storage bin might survive a summer in a shady backyard, but it stands no chance strapped to the back of an RV crossing Arizona. This isn’t just about keeping your stuff organized; it’s about protecting your essential gear from the elements with equipment that won’t fail you when you’re miles from the nearest store.
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, this site earns from qualifying purchases. Thank you!
Why UV Resistance is Critical for RV Storage
The sun is relentless. Its ultraviolet (UV) radiation attacks the chemical bonds in plastic, making it brittle, faded, and weak over time. This process, called photodegradation, is the number one killer of outdoor RV gear. A standard storage tote might look fine for a few months, but one day you’ll go to open it and the latch will snap off in your hand, or you’ll find a network of spiderweb cracks spreading across the lid.
This isn’t just an aesthetic problem. A cracked lid is a water leak waiting to happen, potentially ruining expensive tools, camping chairs, or electrical equipment. A brittle box can’t be trusted to hold weight or withstand the vibrations of the road, creating a serious safety hazard if it’s mounted on a cargo carrier.
Investing in a UV-resistant storage box isn’t a luxury; it’s a practical necessity. These containers use specific materials like high-density polyethylene (HDPE) or polypropylene blended with UV inhibitors. This means the protection is baked into the material itself, not just a thin coating that can wear off. It’s the difference between a box that lasts a season and one that lasts for years of full-time travel.
Keter Westwood Deck Box: Style & UV Protection
This durable 150-gallon deck box provides ample outdoor storage. It features a soft-close lid with hydraulic pistons and doubles as a bench with a 660-pound weight capacity.
The Keter Westwood often finds a home with full-timers who stay in one spot for longer periods. Its attractive wood-panel look blends in better at a long-term campsite than a purely industrial bin. But don’t let the aesthetics fool you; it’s made from a durable, UV-protected polypropylene resin that won’t peel, dent, or rust.
What sets the Westwood apart is its dual-purpose design. With a 150-gallon capacity, it can hold a ton of gear—from outdoor carpets and folding tables to kids’ toys. At the same time, its reinforced lid is designed to support the weight of two adults, making it a functional outdoor bench. This multi-functionality is gold when every square inch of your campsite matters.
The main tradeoff here is portability and ruggedness. It’s a large, relatively heavy box that you assemble on-site. It’s perfect for a seasonal spot or a basecamp, but it’s not the kind of box you’d want to be constantly moving or strapping to a hitch carrier for bumpy rides. Think of it as a semi-permanent patio fixture that provides massive, weather-protected storage.
Lifetime Heavy-Duty Box for Max Durability
When you see the name "Lifetime," you know the product is built to endure. Their heavy-duty outdoor storage boxes are no exception and are a common sight in the RV world for good reason. They are constructed from dual-wall, high-density polyethylene (HDPE), a material known for its superior strength and inherent UV resistance. This isn’t just a surface treatment; the entire structure is built to defy the sun.
The design is all about function over form. Many models feature a lockable, steel-reinforced lid that is strong enough to sit on and provides a weather-resistant seal to keep dust and water out. The spring-hinge mechanism is a small but crucial detail, preventing the lid from slamming shut on your hands while you’re digging for your leveling blocks.
These boxes are workhorses. They can handle heavy, awkward items like generators, toolsets, or firewood without buckling. While they may not have the stylish finish of a Keter, their rugged, utilitarian build means you’ll likely be replacing your RV before you have to replace this box. This is the buy-it-for-life option for static, heavy-duty storage.
Rubbermaid ActionPacker: A Nomad’s Rugged Classic
This durable, dent- and weather-resistant 8-gallon ActionPacker storage box secures your gear with tough, lockable latches. It nests for compact storage and stacks securely, perfect for tools, camping gear, or decorations.
If there’s one piece of gear that has earned its place in the nomad hall of fame, it’s the Rubbermaid ActionPacker. For decades, these tough, no-nonsense totes have been the default choice for anyone who needs reliable, portable storage. Their durability comes from a thick-walled construction that, while not explicitly advertised with fancy UV-resistant terminology, has proven itself to withstand years of sun, rain, and road grime.
The beauty of the ActionPacker is in its simple, brilliant design. The lid has a double-walled construction for extra strength, and the lockable latches are surprisingly robust. Most importantly, the design incorporates tie-down points, making it incredibly easy to securely strap one (or several) to a roof rack, rear cargo carrier, or in the bed of a tow vehicle using bungee cords or ratchet straps.
Secure your gear with the HORUSDY 31-Piece Bungee Cord Assortment. This set offers various sizes of durable, elastic cords with protective ABS-coated hooks, plus tarp clips for versatile use.
They come in a range of sizes, from a compact 8-gallon to a massive 48-gallon, allowing you to create a modular system for different types of gear. The 24-gallon and 35-gallon sizes are particularly popular for their balance of capacity and manageability. While a single ActionPacker won’t hold as much as a large deck box, their stackable and mobile nature makes them far more versatile for the RVer who is constantly on the move.
Suncast Wheeled Box for Campsite Mobility
Sometimes the gear you store outside isn’t "set it and forget it." Think about your 50-amp shore power cord, your portable waste tank, or your outdoor kitchen supplies. The Suncast Wheeled Box is designed for exactly these scenarios, combining decent UV-resistant resin construction with the convenience of mobility.
The key features are the integrated wheels and a telescoping handle, which allow you to easily roll heavy or awkward items around the campsite without straining your back. This is a game-changer when you need to move a small generator to a permitted location or haul your water hoses to the spigot. It turns a two-person job into a simple one-person task.
The tradeoff, of course, is that moving parts can be points of failure. The wheels and handle are not as bombproof as a solid, one-piece box like an ActionPacker. For this reason, the Suncast is best used for gear that is moved frequently at the campsite, rather than for storage that remains strapped to the rig during transit. It solves a specific problem of campsite logistics, and it does it very well.
Let’s Go Aero GearSpace for Hitch-Mounted Storage
For those who need to add a significant amount of secure, weatherproof storage, a simple box might not be enough. The Let’s Go Aero GearSpace is a complete cargo carrier system that mounts directly into your RV’s 2-inch hitch receiver. It’s essentially an automotive-grade cargo pod designed for the back of a vehicle, offering 34 cubic feet of space in a durable, UV-resistant polymer shell.
The GearSpace is brilliant because it’s a self-contained unit. It’s fully waterproof, lockable, and even includes functional taillights for safety. The entire carrier can also swing away from the vehicle, allowing you to access the rear doors or compartments of your van or Class C RV without having to unload everything. This is a professionally engineered solution, not a DIY project.
This level of integration and quality comes at a price. The GearSpace is a significant investment compared to a standalone box. It also fully occupies your hitch receiver, which can be a deal-breaker if you tow a car or use a hitch-mounted bike rack. But for nomads in smaller rigs like Class B vans who need to maximize every inch, it’s one of the best ways to add a massive, secure "garage" to your setup.
ROAM Adventure Co. Case for Overlanding Rigs
Protect your gear with the ROAM Adventure Co 105L Rugged Case. Constructed from durable LLPDE with steel hinges and a waterproof seal, it offers superior impact and puncture resistance for any adventure.
When your RV is a 4×4 truck camper or a ruggedized Sprinter van, your gear needs to match. ROAM Adventure Co. cases are built for the extreme demands of overlanding, where equipment must survive constant vibration, dust ingress, and intense sun exposure in remote places. These cases are made from a tough, low-density polyethylene (LDPE) shell that is exceptionally UV-stable and impact-resistant.
Every detail is over-engineered for durability. Features include steel lockable latches, gas struts to hold the lid open, and a military-grade dust and waterproof gasket seal. These aren’t just "weather-resistant"; they are designed to be completely sealed against the elements. You could leave one in a desert sandstorm or a mountain downpour and have total confidence that the contents will remain pristine.
ROAM cases are a premium product with a price tag to match. They are absolute overkill for storing patio chairs at a KOA. But if you’re carrying sensitive recovery gear, expensive camera equipment, or critical tools into the backcountry, the peace of mind they provide is invaluable. They represent the pinnacle of rugged, portable, UV-proof storage for the most adventurous RVers.
Contico Pro Tuff Bin: A No-Frills Workhorse
This 37" portable tool box offers robust storage with a 250 lb. weight capacity and rustproof construction. Its durable structural foam design features a padlock hasp for security and recessed side handles for easy transport.
Sometimes you just need a tough box that works and doesn’t cost a fortune. The Contico Pro Tuff Bin is that box. You’ve probably seen them on construction sites or in the back of work trucks, and that’s because they are built for pure utility. Made from a thick structural foam plastic, they are incredibly resistant to impacts and, importantly, hold up surprisingly well to long-term sun exposure.
There are no fancy features here. You get a simple, strong, lockable box with sturdy handles. The design prioritizes structural integrity over aesthetics, with reinforced ribbing throughout the body and lid. This is the box you throw your muddy leveling blocks, greasy tools, and coiled sewer hoses into without a second thought.
The Pro Tuff Bin is the ultimate expression of value. It delivers 90% of the durability of more specialized, expensive cases for a fraction of the cost. It proves that you don’t always need to spend a lot of money to get a product that can withstand the rigors of the road. For the pragmatic nomad who values function and durability above all else, it’s an unbeatable choice.
Ultimately, the best storage box is the one that fits your specific travel style and the gear you need to carry. Whether you need a mobile bin for campsite chores or a bombproof case for overlanding, the non-negotiable feature is UV resistance. Choosing a box built to withstand the sun ensures your investment not only protects your gear but also lasts for the many miles and adventures ahead.
