6 Best Propane Grill Carts For RV Patio Space That Maximize Every Inch
Explore the 6 best propane grill carts designed for tight RV patios. Our picks feature smart, space-saving designs to maximize your outdoor cooking area.
Setting up your grill on a wobbly picnic table, with tongs balanced on a cooler and spices sitting in the dirt, is a familiar scene for many RVers. That tiny concrete pad next to your rig is prime real estate, and every square inch has to earn its keep. The right grill cart doesn’t just hold your grill; it transforms that limited space into a functional, enjoyable outdoor kitchen.
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Key Features in a Compact RV Grill Station
The perfect RV grill cart is a master of compromise. It has to be light enough to move easily but heavy enough to be stable in a gust of wind. It needs to fold down small for travel but offer enough surface area to actually be useful when you’re cooking. Forget what looks good in a residential backyard; we’re focused on what works in the real world of constant setup and teardown.
When you’re comparing options, focus on four critical elements. First is portability and packed size—will it actually fit in your pass-through storage bay? Second is stability, because a tipping grill is a fire hazard. Look for a wide stance and locking legs or wheels. Third is usable prep space, the single most valuable commodity in any small kitchen. Finally, consider integrated storage for tools, spices, and that small propane cylinder.
Don’t get fixated on finding one cart that does everything perfectly. That unicorn doesn’t exist. Instead, be honest about your priorities. Are you a weekend warrior who values lightning-fast setup, or a full-timer who needs a robust outdoor cooking hub? Your answer will point you toward the right balance of features.
Weber 6557 Q Cart: A Stable, Portable Base
If you own a Weber Q series grill, this is the cart to get. It’s not a universal solution; it’s a purpose-built stand designed to integrate perfectly with one of the most popular portable grills on the market. The grill locks into the cart with a satisfying click, creating a single, stable unit that won’t slide or wobble, even if you bump into it.
Its brilliance is in its simplicity. The cart collapses with a single motion into a thin profile that’s easy to slide into a storage bay. It’s lightweight but sturdy, with two wheels that let you roll the entire setup from your rig to your patio spot with one hand. This is a pure grill stand, designed to do one job exceptionally well: hold the grill at a comfortable cooking height, securely.
The tradeoff for this stability and portability is a near-total lack of features. You get three small tool hooks and that’s it. There is no prep space, no storage shelf, and no place to put your propane tank. This cart is for the RVer who wants an unshakable foundation for their Weber Q and has a separate table or system for all their prep work.
Coleman RoadTrip 285: All-in-One Portability
Grill up to 20,000 BTUs with three independently adjustable burners for precise temperature control on a 285 sq. in. cooking surface. Features Instastart ignition for easy lighting and quick-fold legs with wheels for effortless setup and portability.
The Coleman RoadTrip series takes a fundamentally different approach. Instead of buying a grill and a cart, you buy a single unit where the grill is the cart. This all-in-one design is the definition of convenience, making it a favorite for RVers who prioritize speed and simplicity above all else.
Setup and teardown are incredibly fast. You simply unlatch the lid, pull up, and the scissor-style legs unfold and lock into place. When you’re done, it collapses just as easily and rolls away like a piece of luggage. There are no separate parts to keep track of, which is a huge advantage when you’re packing up camp in a hurry. The small, slide-out side tables provide just enough space for a plate and your most-used tools.
This integrated design is also its biggest limitation. You can’t separate the grill from the stand to use it on a tabletop. The side tables are small, and there is no lower shelf for storage. It’s a fantastic solution for quick trips and simple meals, but it doesn’t offer the expanded workspace that more elaborate cooking requires. You’re trading prep space and storage for unmatched portability.
Blackstone 22" Griddle Stand: Grilling Versatility
For the growing number of RVers who have embraced griddle cooking, the Blackstone stand is an essential accessory. Like the Weber cart, this is a purpose-built stand designed specifically for their popular 17” and 22” tabletop griddles. It provides a stable, secure base that gets the heavy griddle off your picnic table and to a proper cooking height.
This stand has a few key features that make it ideal for the campsite. The legs are independently adjustable, which is a game-changer for leveling your griddle on uneven ground—a critical step for managing grease flow. It also includes a side shelf that’s perfect for holding your squirt bottles, scraper, and seasonings, keeping your workflow efficient.
It’s a specialized piece of gear, and that’s both its strength and weakness. It solves the specific problem of where to put your Blackstone, and it does it very well. However, it offers limited general-purpose utility. If you switch to a different brand of grill, the stand may become obsolete. Think of it less as a universal "grill cart" and more as a mandatory component of the Blackstone griddling system.
Keter Unity XL: Maximum Prep and Storage Space
The Keter Unity XL provides ample outdoor storage and prep space. Featuring a durable, weather-resistant resin construction with a stainless steel top, it also includes side bars, hooks, spice rack, bottle opener, and smooth-rolling wheels.
The Keter Unity XL isn’t a cart; it’s a portable outdoor kitchen island. This is the solution for full-time RVers or seasonal campers who set up a serious outdoor living space and need maximum functionality. It’s designed to hold a tabletop grill on its durable stainless steel top while providing an enormous amount of prep and storage space.
This unit is packed with features. You get a 78-gallon sealed storage cabinet below, perfect for keeping charcoal, grilling pans, and paper towels dry and out of sight. It also includes side hooks for tools, a spice rack, a paper towel holder, and even a bottle opener. It consolidates nearly all of your outdoor cooking gear into one organized, weatherproof station.
The obvious tradeoff here is its size and weight. This is by far the least portable option on the list. It doesn’t fold down, so you need a large, dedicated space for it during travel, like a toy hauler garage or a completely empty pass-through bay. It’s a commitment. But for those who spend months at a time in one place and love to cook outdoors, the Keter Unity XL provides a residential-style experience that no folding table can match.
GCI Outdoor Master Cook Station: Ultra-Compact
Enjoy easy outdoor cooking with the GCI Outdoor Master Cook Station. This portable folding table features a heat-resistant surface, soft-shell sink, and telescoping lantern pole for a convenient campsite kitchen.
If the Keter is a semi-permanent kitchen island, the GCI Master Cook Station is its polar opposite. This is the ultimate choice for RVers who are obsessed with weight and packed size. It folds down into a bag roughly the size of a standard camp chair, making it astonishingly easy to store and transport.
Despite its tiny packed size, it unfolds into a surprisingly functional workstation. You get a central, heat-resistant aluminum rack designed to hold a portable grill. On either side, you get fold-out prep tables, plus multiple storage racks, hooks, and even a collapsible soft-sided sink for washing hands or produce. It’s a marvel of camp engineering.
The primary compromise is stability. While it’s perfectly adequate for most portable grills, it doesn’t have the rock-solid feel of a dedicated steel cart like the Weber or Blackstone stands. You need to be mindful on soft or uneven ground. This station is the perfect fit for the RVer in a smaller rig—like a Class B van or a teardrop trailer—where every inch and every pound counts.
Royal Gourmet PC3401S: A Dedicated Prep Cart
This versatile stainless steel grill cart offers a spacious 33.5" x 19.7" work surface and ample storage with double shelves and tool hooks. Easily move your grill or prep station with its smooth-rolling wheels and side handle, ensuring stability on any surface.
Sometimes, the problem isn’t where to put your grill, but where to put everything else. The Royal Gourmet PC3401S is a mobile food prep table, not a grill stand. It’s designed to work alongside your existing grill, providing the counter space and storage that most compact setups desperately lack.
This cart is built for utility. It features a large stainless steel top that’s easy to clean and perfect for chopping vegetables or seasoning meat. Below, it has two shelves for storage, a drawer for smaller items, and a dedicated hook and base for a 20 lb propane tank, getting it securely off the ground. It’s essentially a small, rolling kitchen cart built for outdoor use.
This is a modular solution for the serious RVer. If you have a grill you love but are constantly frustrated by a lack of workspace, this cart is the answer. It allows you to create a more expansive L-shaped or galley-style outdoor kitchen. Its main drawback is that it’s another piece of gear to store and transport, but for those who cook complex meals outdoors, the added functionality is well worth the space it occupies.
Securing Your Grill Cart for Safe RV Travel
Your job isn’t done when the cooking is over. Every single item you carry in an RV storage bay must be secured before you hit the road. A 30-pound steel grill cart can become a destructive projectile during a sudden stop or sharp turn, capable of damaging your RV’s systems or even breaking through the bay door.
For collapsible carts like the Weber or GCI, the solution is simple. Fold them down and use bungee cords or, better yet, cam buckle straps to lash them tightly against a wall or to D-ring tie-downs if your bay has them. The goal is zero movement. Don’t just toss it in; make sure it’s physically attached to the vehicle structure.
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.
For larger, non-folding units like the Keter or Royal Gourmet, you need a more robust plan. If possible, wedge them between other heavy, stable items. For true peace of mind, use ratchet straps to secure them to tie-down points. A great trick is to build simple wooden chocks that you screw into the floor of your storage bay, creating a "parking spot" that prevents the cart from sliding in any direction. Whatever your method, make it a non-negotiable part of your departure checklist.
Choosing the right grill cart is about honestly assessing how you travel and cook. There is no single "best" option, only the one that best fits your RV, your patio space, and your culinary ambitions. By prioritizing the right features—be it portability, stability, or pure prep space—you can turn that small patch of concrete into a highly efficient and enjoyable outdoor kitchen.