Trends, Data and Perspective: What Makes Class A RV & Boat Storage a Solid Investment

By Zachary Urow and Sean Ruhlman

RV and boat ownership surged during the pandemic, and in 2025, demand for these vehicles remains strong. The RV Industry Association reports a 21.9% increase in shipments year-over-year as of January, while the National Marine Manufacturers Association notes continued strength in popular boat segments like pontoons and personal watercrafts.

This growth is driving a parallel need: secure, high-quality storage. Unlike traditional self-storage users, RV and boat owners are often storing six-figure assets. They’re looking for covered or enclosed facilities with wide access lanes, premium amenities and a higher standard of care, especially when vehicles are stored seasonally or used for long-haul travel.

Enter Class A RV and boat storage. These purpose-built facilities offer more than just parking. They serve a different type of tenant, one that values convenience, protection and full-service features. As more investors start looking at this asset class, it’s becoming clear that Class A storage isn’t just a niche; it’s a growing piece of the future storage landscape.

National Trends in RV, Boat and Truck Sales

The pandemic-era surge in RV and boat ownership has transitioned into a more stable, but still elevated, market in 2025. Rather than fading, the lifestyle shift toward recreational vehicle use appears to be holding strong, with early 2025 data signaling renewed interest across RV, boat and pickup truck segments.

RV sales show this trend clearly. After record highs during the pandemic, the market saw a
temporary correction, but the recovery is now gaining strength. In 2024, total shipments rose by 6.6% year-over-year, and that momentum accelerated into 2025 with January shipments up 21.9% from the previous year and February growing another 6% month-over-month.

Boat sales remain strong by historical standards. While new powerboat sales declined modestly in 2024 to an estimated 230,000-240,000 units, the industry is expected to return to growth in 2025, supported by steady consumer interest and new product innovation. U.S. boating expenditures are projected to rise by 3% to 5% this year, signaling continued engagement in the recreational marine space.

Pickup truck sales, needed for towing both boats and RVs, continue to rise. Cox Automotive
reported full-size pickup trucks experienced the best year-over-year performance among all
truck and vehicle segments, with a 14.5% increase in sales from January 2024 to January 2025.

January 2025 New-Vehicle Sales

Altogether, these trends paint a clear picture: Americans are still buying and using recreational vehicles, and they continue to need reliable, long-term storage for them. But unlike traditional storage users, these owners aren’t storing boxes, they’re storing high-value, seasonal vehicles that require space, protection and convenience. As a result, more owners are turning to storage solutions that offer the space and features their vehicle requires.

Demand Drivers for Class A RV & Boat Storage

Traditional self-storage investors are increasingly entering the RV and boat storage space,
drawn by growing demand, strong returns and limited competition. While historically fragmented and dominated by mom-and-pop operators, the sector is evolving quickly as vehicle ownership levels remain elevated and many regions remain
underserved.

The global RV and boat storage market is projected to grow from $2.6 billion in 2024 to
nearly $6 billion by 2032, a 12.5% compound annual growth rate. These assets often generate higher revenue relative to build-cost, due to oversized unit pricing, while operating costs tend to be lower than conventional storage. Turnover is minimal, and delinquency rates are among the lowest in the storage sector—often under 1%—as tenants are typically storing high-value vehicles and prioritize keeping payments current.

In many suburban markets, HOAs restrict RV and boat parking at residences, making off-site storage a necessity—not a convenience—for a growing segment of owners.

As ownership of large, high-value recreational vehicles and boats continues to climb – often
exceeding $100,000 in value – so too do expectations around the quality of storage. Class A
facilities are purpose-built to meet these expectations, offering wide drive aisles, canopy or
enclosed units for protection from the elements, and an array of upscale amenities. Full-service features such as dump stations, wash bays, air pumps, electrical hookups, showers, ice machines and solar-powered infrastructure are increasingly considered standard in top-tier developments.

Average Value of Goods in Traditional Storage vs. Class A RV & Boat Storage

Solar energy, in particular, is catching on fast as both a cost-saving and an eco-friendly
differentiator, especially in states where sustainability initiatives align with investor priorities. These features not only improve tenant satisfaction but also improve a facility’s marketability and NOI.

Location strategy is another key differentiator. Unlike traditional self-storage, RV and boat
storage is often a “50-mile business,” with tenants willing to travel farther for secure facilities near travel corridors, national parks, lakes, or coastal access points. High-demand states include Florida, Texas, Arizona, California, Colorado, the Carolinas, and lake regions throughout the Midwest and Southeast.

U.S. States with the Most Boat & RV Sales

Recent acquisitions of canopy-style Class A RV and boat facilities in high-growth corridors
further validate this trend. These facilities, often fully leased and featuring solar integration, covered storage, and full-service infrastructure, are beginning to set new benchmarks for pricing and cap rate compression in their respective markets.
A recent transaction in California’s Central Valley involved a stabilized, solar-equipped facility with a high amenity mix, reflecting the sector’s growing appeal to institutional investors.

Oakley Executive Boat & RV Storage

Source: Urow Real Estate

The Road Ahead

As of early 2025, the RV and boat storage development pipeline remains active. Nearly 1,800 dedicated facilities now exist across the U.S., with 56 under construction and 162 more in planning stages. Even with new projects in progress, only 4.4% of total space was completed last year, showing demand is still outpacing supply and encouraging more Class A developments.

In the near future, Class A RV and boat storage is expected to continue growing, fueled by
several key trends. The aging Baby Boomer population, with more disposable income, will drive demand for premium storage options for high-value recreational vehicles and boats. Meanwhile, younger RVers seeking adventure and the flexibility of remote work will contribute to the expanding consumer base for these high-end facilities.

Shifting zoning regulations are opening new opportunities for Class A storage, particularly in suburban and outskirts areas that provide easy access to travel corridors, national parks and coastal areas. Institutional capital will keep flowing into this sector, strengthening the long-term potential of premium storage assets. As demand rises, the focus will remain on offering high-quality amenities and security features, making sure these facilities continue to meet the needs of RV and boat owners.

Case Study: Oakley Executive Boat & RV Storage

In 2025, Urow Real Estate successfully brokered the sale of Oakley Executive Boat & RV Storage, a landmark Class A facility located in Oakley, Calif. This 546-unit, 273,105 NRSF property set a new standard for large-vehicle storage in Northern California, featuring: 

• 20 solar-integrated canopies 
• Extra-wide drive aisles and angled pull-through parking 
• Top-tier amenities, including trickle charging, dump stations, wash station, tire air station, propane, restrooms, showers and an onsite conference room, 35+ security cameras, gated keypad access and a 14-foot perimeter fence 
• Onsite solar infrastructure generating over $695,000 annually in additional income 

The property is strategically positioned in a high-barrier-to-entry Bay Area market, benefiting from strict zoning, rising land scarcity and persistent undersupply. The property reflects the growing market demand for high-quality vehicle storage facilities in regions where supply is constrained and true Class A product remains limited. The property is highly lauded for its premium offerings, a model for others to replicate.  

Zachary Urow is the Founder and President of Urow Real Estate, a boutique investment sales firm specializing in self-storage. With a background in finance and over $440 million in sales across 19 states, he ranks in the top 1% of brokers nationwide. Urow is based in Tampa, Fla., with nationwide team members who aim to combine the sophistication of investment banking firms with the knowledge of top storage operators. To learn more, visit Urow Real Estate.

References
RVIA. (2025). January Shipments Top 27,000. Retrieved from https://www.rvia.org/reports-trends/rv-shipment-reports/2025-01/january-shipments-top-27000

NMMA. (2025). Innovation Driving U.S. Boat Sales Demand as Key Winter Boat Show Buying Season Gets Underway. Retrieved from https://www.nmma.org/statistics/article/24935

RVIA. (2025). Historical RV Data. Retrieved from https://www.rvia.org/historical-rv-data

RVIA. (2025). RV Shipments Up 6% in February. Retrieved from https://www.rvia.org/reports-trends/rv-shipment-reports/2025-02/rv-shipments-6-february

NMMA. (2025). Innovation Driving U.S. Boat Sales Demand as Key Winter Boat Show Buying Season Gets Underway. Retrieved from https://www.nmma.org/statistics/article/24935

Cox Automotive. (2025). Cox Automotive Forecast: January U.S. Auto Sales Expected to Gain More Than 5% Year over Year Despite Harsh Winter Weather. Retrieved from https://www.coxautoinc.com/news/cox-automotive-forecast-jan-2025-u-s-auto-sales-forecast/

Business Research Insights. (2025). RV and Boat Storage Market Size, Share, Growth, and Industry Analysis, By Type (Uncovered Storage, Covered Storage, Fully Enclosed Storage), By Application (Personal, Commercial), and Regional Insights and Forecast to 2032. Retrieved from: https://www.businessresearchinsights.com/market-reports/rv-and-boat-storage-market-117999

ISS. (2024). Should You Build Boat/RV Storage? Considerations for Market Entry, Facility Design and Ongoing Success. Retrieved from https://www.insideselfstorage.com/vehicle-boat-rv-storage/should-you-build-boat-rv-storage-considerations-for-market-entry-facility-design-and-ongoing-success

SGB Media. (2025). NMMA Envisions New Powerboat Sales Returning to Growth in 2025 After Rough 2024. Retrieved from https://sgbonline.com/nmma-envisions-new-powerboat-sales-returning-to-growth-in-2025-after-rough-2024

Condor Ferries (2025). RV Statistics 2025. Retrieved from https://www.condorferries.co.uk/rv-statistics#:~:text=According%20to%20the%20RV%20industry,and%20Texas%20(%241.8%20billion).

Yardi Breeze. (2025). Demand for RV & Boat Storage Facilities On The Rise. Retrieved from https://www.yardibreeze.com/blog/2025/02/rv-boat-storage-breaking-records

Yardi Matrix. (2024). National RV & Boat Storage Report Fall 2024. Retrieved from https://www.yardimatrix.com/Publications/Download/File/6369-MatrixRVBoatStorageNationalReport-Fall2024

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