5 Best RV Outdoor Storage Options
The best outdoor storage for decluttering your RV.
That pile of gear by the door. You know the one. It’s the stack of camp chairs, the tangled fishing rods, and the bulky leveling blocks that don’t have a home. Every time you step inside your RV, you have to navigate around it, and every time you pack up, you play a frustrating game of Tetris trying to make it all fit. This isn’t just clutter; it’s a barrier between you and the freedom you bought the rig for in the first place.
Relax outdoors in this large folding camp chair featuring a breathable mesh back. Stay refreshed with the built-in cooler pouch and enjoy convenient storage with the side pocket, all supported by a durable steel frame and easy transport with included carry bag.
Living in a small space demands a smart storage strategy, and that strategy has to extend beyond your four walls. Outdoor storage isn’t just about cramming more stuff into your life; it’s about intelligently organizing your gear so your RV can be a sanctuary, not a storage unit. By moving the "outside" stuff outside, you create a clear distinction between your living space and your utility space, making setup, teardown, and daily life infinitely smoother.
The goal is to create a system where every piece of gear has a logical, accessible home. This means less time spent searching for the sewer hose and more time enjoying the sunset. We’re going to look at five proven outdoor storage solutions that help you reclaim your interior space, protect your equipment, and ultimately, make your life on the road more organized and enjoyable.
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Free Up Your RV Space With Outdoor Storage
The inside of an RV is prime real estate. Every square inch is meant for living, yet it’s often the first place we stash bulky outdoor gear like folding kayaks, muddy hiking boots, or damp life vests. This "gear creep" slowly erodes your living space, turning a cozy retreat into a cramped obstacle course.
Moving this equipment outside isn’t just about creating more room; it’s about creating a functional system. Your outdoor storage becomes the designated zone for everything related to setup, teardown, and outdoor recreation. This simple separation keeps dirt, sand, and moisture out of your living quarters, preserving the cleanliness and comfort of your home on wheels.
Ultimately, a well-planned outdoor storage setup streamlines your entire RV experience. You’ll spend less time shuffling items around and more time doing what you love. An organized rig is a peaceful rig, and that mental clarity is just as valuable as the physical space you reclaim.
CURT Hitch Cargo Carrier: Your Heavy-Duty Hauler
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.
A hitch-mounted cargo carrier is the pack mule of the RV world. It’s designed for the heavy, dirty, and awkward items that have no business being inside your rig. Think of it as your mobile mudroom and utility closet, all in one.
This is the perfect spot for your portable generator, a couple of overflowing coolers, or a stack of firewood. The open, mesh-bottom design allows dirt and water to fall through, and the high rails provide secure anchor points for ratchet straps. It’s an unapologetically utilitarian solution for the gear that works hard and gets messy.
The tradeoff, of course, is exposure. Everything on the carrier is subject to road grime and weather, so it’s best for rugged items or things stored in weatherproof bags or totes. It can also limit access to a rear ladder or door and can reduce your departure angle on steep driveways, so you have to be mindful of where and how you drive.
Thule Pulse Cargo Box: Secure Your Rooftop Gear
Add 14 cubic feet of secure storage to your vehicle with the Thule Pulse Cargo Box. Its FastGrip mounting system allows for quick installation, and the central locking system ensures maximum safety.
When you need weatherproof and secure storage, you look up. A rooftop cargo box is essentially an attic for your RV, providing a locked, aerodynamic space for gear that needs protection from the elements and potential theft. It’s an elegant solution that keeps valuable items out of sight and out of mind.
This is the ideal home for things like high-end camp chairs, expensive fishing rods, inflatable paddleboards, or even extra bedding for guests. The hard-shell case protects against rain, sun, and road debris, while the integrated locks offer peace of mind when you’re away from the campsite. Its sleek design also minimizes wind noise and impact on fuel economy compared to strapping gear directly to the roof.
However, a rooftop box isn’t without its considerations. It adds significant height to your vehicle, a crucial factor when navigating areas with low-hanging branches or bridges. You’ll also need a sturdy roof rack system for installation, and accessing the contents often requires a ladder, which can be cumbersome for frequently used items.
MORryde Sliding Cargo Tray: Access Your Bays Easily
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 gain space is to make better use of what you already have. A sliding cargo tray transforms your deep, cavernous pass-through storage bays from a black hole into a highly accessible gear garage. It doesn’t add external storage, but it revolutionizes your internal storage.
Imagine pulling a handle and having your entire storage bay slide out, presenting everything for easy access. No more crawling halfway into a dark compartment to retrieve the toolbox wedged in the back. These trays are perfect for heavy items like tool kits, portable grills, and bins of utility connections.
The main considerations are weight and cost. The steel tray itself adds a fair amount of weight to your rig, which counts against your cargo carrying capacity. Installation can also be a significant project, but for those who live in their RV full-time or take long trips, the daily convenience is a game-changer that’s hard to put a price on.
Stromberg Carlson Trailer Tray: Maximize Your Tongue
Securely transport generators, coolers, or gear with this heavy-duty A-frame trailer tray. Its stable mount and universal fit maximize your RV's storage capacity, handling up to 300 lbs.
For travel trailer owners, the A-frame area above the propane tanks is one of the most underutilized pieces of real estate. A trailer tray, like the Stromberg Carlson Trailer Tray, is a clever solution designed specifically to capitalize on this space. It creates a sturdy platform right where you need it most during setup.
This is the perfect spot for the first-on, last-off items. Use it to hold your leveling blocks, wheel chocks, a small generator, or a portable wastewater tank. Keeping this gear on the tongue frees up valuable space in your truck bed or the trailer’s pass-through storage for other things.
The critical factor here is tongue weight. Anything you place on this tray adds directly to your trailer’s tongue weight, which is a vital component of safe towing. You must be diligent about weighing your setup to ensure you remain within the safe limits for your tow vehicle and hitch.
Plano Sportsman’s Trunk: Your Grab-and-Go Tote
Transport gear easily with the Plano Sportsman Trunk. This durable, 108-quart storage box features easy-glide wheels and a reinforced, removable lid for secure stacking.
The most versatile storage solution isn’t attached to your RV at all—it’s a system of modular, heavy-duty totes. The Plano Sportsman’s Trunk and similar products act as the building blocks for a completely adaptable organization strategy. They allow you to containerize your gear by function.
Create a dedicated tote for each activity or utility. One for all your electrical cords and surge protectors, another for freshwater hoses and filters, and a third for all your campfire and grilling supplies. These rugged, stackable, and often lockable trunks can then be placed wherever makes sense: in a storage bay, on a hitch carrier, or in the bed of your truck.
This approach provides ultimate flexibility. Heading out for a fishing weekend? Just grab the fishing tote. Leaving the generator behind for a trip to a full-hookup park? The "power" tote stays home. This system prevents you from carrying unnecessary weight and allows you to reconfigure your storage for every single trip.
Choosing the Right Outdoor Storage for Your Rig
There is no single "best" outdoor storage product. The right solution is a direct reflection of your travel style, your gear, and your specific RV. Trying to apply a one-size-fits-all answer is the fastest way to an inefficient and frustrating setup.
To find your ideal solution, start by asking the right questions. A clear assessment of your needs will point you toward the most effective options for your situation.
- What are you storing? Is it heavy and dirty like a generator (hitch carrier) or lightweight and valuable like fishing gear (rooftop box)?
- What is your RV type? A travel trailer can use a tongue tray, while a Class A motorhome can leverage massive basement bays with a sliding tray.
- How much weight can you add? Always be mindful of your Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR), tongue weight, and roof load limits. Overloading is unsafe and illegal.
- What’s your budget and DIY skill level? A set of totes is an inexpensive, immediate solution, while a sliding cargo tray is an investment that requires installation.
The most effective setups often use a combination of these solutions. You might use a hitch carrier for your firewood and generator, a rooftop box for your camp chairs and inflatable kayak, and a system of totes to organize the small stuff within your bays. Think of it as creating a complete ecosystem for your gear, not just buying one product.
Reclaim Your Space and Hit the Road Organized
Effective outdoor storage is about more than just finding a place to put your stuff. It’s about designing a system that makes your RV life easier, more efficient, and more enjoyable. It’s about drawing a clear line between your living space and your utility space.
When your gear is organized and accessible, the friction of travel melts away. Setting up camp becomes a smooth, predictable process instead of a frantic search for equipment. This organization is the foundation of the freedom and spontaneity that RVing promises; it empowers you to say "yes" to adventure at a moment’s notice.
Take a hard look at your current setup. Identify the pain points, the piles of clutter, and the gear you’re constantly shuffling. The right outdoor storage solution is out there, ready to help you declutter your rig and, by extension, declutter your life on the road.
Ultimately, mastering your RV storage is about creating a more seamless connection between you and your adventures. By strategically moving gear outside, you’re not just freeing up floor space; you’re freeing up mental space. A well-organized rig is the key to unlocking a more relaxed, efficient, and fulfilling life on the open road.
