6 Best Compact Log Holders For RV Exterior That Nomads Swear By

There’s nothing like the crackle of a campfire, but the morning after reveals the truth: your RV floor is now a collage of bark, dirt, and the occasional spider. Hauling firewood inside your rig is a classic rookie mistake that trades precious, clean living space for a mess. The solution is simple and essential: move the woodpile outside where it belongs.

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Why Exterior Log Storage is a Must for RVs

Keeping firewood outside isn’t just about cleanliness; it’s about protecting your rolling home. Every log is a potential Trojan horse, carrying insects like ants, spiders, or even destructive termites. Once they’re inside your walls, you have a much bigger problem than a little spilled dirt.

Beyond the bugs, there’s the issue of moisture. Wood, especially if it’s not perfectly seasoned, holds a surprising amount of water. Storing it inside introduces that humidity into your RV’s delicate ecosystem, creating a prime environment for mold and mildew to grow. This is a health hazard and can cause long-term damage to your rig’s structure.

And let’s be honest about space. Every square inch inside an RV is valuable real estate. Dedicating a corner to a pile of messy, awkward logs is a poor use of a limited resource. Exterior storage reclaims that interior space for living, not for hauling fuel.

Stromberg Carlson Trailer Tray: A-Frame Star

For travel trailer owners, the space above the propane tanks on the A-frame is often wasted. The Stromberg Carlson Trailer Tray is designed specifically to capitalize on this unused area. It’s a sturdy, steel mesh tray that bolts directly onto the A-frame, creating a perfect platform for a bundle of firewood, a small generator, or a cooler.

The genius of this setup is its location. The weight is positioned forward on the tongue, which can help with towing stability if your trailer is loaded a bit tail-heavy. It doesn’t add any length to your overall rig, so you won’t have to worry about a bigger footprint in tight campsites or gas stations. Installation is typically straightforward, requiring basic hand tools.

However, this solution is exclusive to travel trailers. It won’t work for fifth wheels or motorhomes. You must also be keenly aware of your trailer’s tongue weight. Adding 50-100 pounds of wood directly to the tongue impacts your tow vehicle’s suspension and handling. Always weigh your setup to ensure you remain within the manufacturer’s safe limits.

CURT Hitch Cargo Carrier: A Versatile Choice

The hitch-mounted cargo carrier is the Swiss Army knife of RV storage. These simple metal baskets slide into your RV’s rear receiver hitch, providing a quick and easy platform for all sorts of gear. For firewood, they are an excellent choice because they keep the mess completely outside and away from your rig.

Their primary advantage is versatility. When you’re not hauling firewood, the carrier can hold a generator, extra water jugs, or overflowing camp chairs. They are easily removable and can be used on your tow vehicle when you’re not pulling the RV. This multi-purpose nature makes them a favorite among nomads who value gear that can serve more than one function.

The main tradeoff is the added length. A hitch carrier can add two or three feet to the back of your RV, which can make backing into a tight spot more challenging. More importantly, you must respect the weight limits. Your RV’s hitch is not a weight-bearing workhorse; it has a strict tongue weight capacity (typically 10% of its tow rating). Overloading a hitch carrier creates a dangerous leverage effect, potentially lifting weight off your front steering axle and compromising control.

Buyers Products Rack: Purpose-Built Carrier

Sometimes, a general-purpose solution isn’t enough. Buyers Products and similar brands make heavy-duty racks originally designed for landscape or utility trucks. These carriers are overbuilt, often from thick-gauge steel, and are designed to handle the abuse of daily work—making them perfect for heavy, abrasive loads like firewood.

These racks are defined by their robust, no-nonsense construction. They often feature taller sides than a standard cargo carrier, which helps contain a jumbled pile of split logs more securely. Instead of relying solely on a light-duty hitch, many are designed to be bolted directly to the RV’s frame or a reinforced bumper, providing a much more stable and high-capacity mounting point.

This durability comes at the cost of convenience. Installation is rarely a simple plug-and-play affair. You’ll likely need to drill into your RV’s frame or bumper, which can be an intimidating job. This is a semi-permanent modification, but for full-timers who carry wood frequently, the peace of mind from a rock-solid, purpose-built rack is well worth the effort.

Let’s Go Aero GearCage: Enclosed Security

An open basket is great, but what about driving through a rainstorm? The Let’s Go Aero GearCage and similar enclosed carriers solve this problem. Think of it as a weatherproof trunk for the back of your RV. The solid walls and lockable lid keep your firewood dry, clean, and secure.

The benefits of an enclosed system are significant. Road grime and salt spray won’t touch your wood, ensuring it’s ready to burn the moment you arrive. The enclosed design also means you don’t have to worry about a log bouncing out on a bumpy forest service road. For those concerned about theft, the ability to lock the carrier provides an extra layer of security for your wood or any other valuable gear you store inside.

Of course, there are downsides. Enclosed carriers are heavier and more expensive than their open-basket counterparts. The solid design can also trap moisture if you load it with wet wood, so it’s best for seasoned, dry logs. While secure, the fixed dimensions might limit you from carrying oddly shaped items that would easily fit in an open basket.

Mount-n-Lock Bumper System for Firewood

The standard 4-inch square tube bumper on most RVs is notoriously flimsy. It’s often just thin steel tacked onto the frame, completely unsuitable for carrying any significant weight. The Mount-n-Lock system addresses this fundamental weakness head-on by reinforcing the bumper itself.

This isn’t just a rack; it’s an integrated system. You first install their heavy-duty "SafetyStruts," which connect the bumper directly to the RV’s frame. This transfers the load from the weak bumper welds to the much stronger I-beams of the frame. Once the bumper is properly supported, you can safely attach a cargo carrier to hold your firewood without fear of the bumper tearing off on the highway.

This is the only truly safe way to utilize your RV’s rear bumper for storage. Simply clamping a carrier onto a stock bumper is a catastrophic failure waiting to happen. While it requires a more involved installation, the Mount-n-Lock approach provides a secure foundation that you can trust, turning a weak point of your RV into a functional asset.

DIY Welded Rack: The Ultimate Custom Option

For the RVer with fabrication skills, a custom-welded rack offers the perfect solution tailored to your specific rig and needs. You can design it to fit an unusual space, integrate features like a spare tire mount, and build it to the exact dimensions of the wood you typically carry. A DIY rack can be mounted to the frame for maximum strength, creating a solution far more robust than any off-the-shelf product.

The possibilities are endless. You could build a narrow, vertical rack that mounts alongside your rear ladder. You could fabricate a basket that sits perfectly over the pin box of your fifth wheel. This is your chance to solve your unique storage problem with a one-of-a-kind piece of gear that perfectly matches your workflow.

A serious word of caution is necessary here. This is a job for an experienced welder, not a weekend warrior with a cheap flux-core machine. A failed weld on the highway doesn’t just mean losing your firewood; it means launching a hundred-pound metal projectile into traffic. If you are not 100% confident in your ability to design and fabricate a road-safe carrier, hire a professional.

Key Factors for Choosing Your RV Log Holder

Before you buy anything, you must understand your RV’s weight limitations. Every rig has a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR), and every component has its own limits. A hitch receiver will have a maximum tongue weight, and a bumper has next to none. Adding a 150-pound carrier loaded with 100 pounds of oak is a significant load. Always weigh your rig and know your numbers to ensure you’re operating safely.

Your RV’s type will dictate your best options.

• Travel Trailers: A-frame carriers are a fantastic, integrated option.
• Motorhomes & Fifth Wheels: Hitch-mounted or frame-mounted carriers are the go-to choices.
• All Types: Reinforced bumper systems can work on almost any rig if installed correctly.

Look for durable materials and construction. Powder-coated steel is the standard for a reason—it’s strong and resists rust. Aluminum is lighter but often more expensive and may have a lower capacity. Pay attention to the quality of the welds and the thickness of the materials. A cheap carrier is a liability, not a bargain.

Finally, consider how you’ll actually use it. Is it easy to load and unload? Will you be able to access your rear storage compartments or ladder with it installed? A versatile carrier that can hold other gear might be more valuable than a dedicated firewood rack. The best choice is one that solves your problem without creating new ones.

Ultimately, the best log holder is one that safely integrates with your specific RV and travel style. By moving your firewood outside, you reclaim valuable interior space and protect your rig from pests and moisture. It’s a simple upgrade that makes RV life cleaner, safer, and more enjoyable.