StorTrack, one of the nation’s leading data miners of self-storage markets, has released a robust report zooming in on valuable info for toy storage developers and investors. Below are a few tidbits and poignant points, but you can read the full report here.
VEHICLE, RV & BOAT STORAGE: WHY THIS INDUSTRY MATTERS RIGHT NOW
The U.S. Vehicle, RV & Boat Storage market has moved far beyond a niche parking solution. Millions of Americans now own RVs, boats, trailers, collector cars and work vehicles that do not fit into standard garages or residential driveways. At the same time, zoning rules, homeowner associations (HOAs) and neighborhood density increasingly prevent people from storing these assets at home. The result is one of the most 
pronounced and persistent supply gaps in the broader storage industry.Â
Ownership is already massive and still growing. Roughly 8-million U.S. households own an RV alone, with another 16.9 million households expressing interest in purchasing one over the next five years. When boats, trailers and specialty vehicles are included, nearly 25 million U.S. households now own a large recreational or specialty vehicle that requires offsite storage. Yet according to StorTrack data, there are fewer than 5,000 purpose-built facilities designed specifically to store them.Â
Regulatory pressure further amplifies this imbalance. HOAs and municipalities across the country increasingly restrict the parking of RVs, boats and trailers in driveways and or streets. As housing density rises and lot sizes shrink, off-site storage has shifted from a convenience to a necessity for millions of owners.Â
Even with new development underway, supply is not keeping pace with demand. StorTrack is tracking more than 200 RV & boat storage projects under development, but industry estimates indicate the market would need more than double today’s purpose-built inventory simply to keep pace with current ownership and usage trends.Â
HOW BIG IS THE MARKET?
Despite the scale of ownership, true storage capacity remains limited.Â
Even at today’s scale, supply remains well below what is needed to serve existing demand. That gap is further widened by the fact that most facilities classified as “hybrid” devote only limited space to vehicle parking, leaving the true RV and boat storage capacity far more constrained than headline facility counts imply.Â
RELATED CONTENT
Yardi Matrix National RV & Boat Storage Report
Cushman & Wakefield Reports RV & Boat Registrations by State
Cushman & Wakefield RV & Boat Storage 2026 Investment Insider
TYPES OF VEHICLES, RV & BOAT STORAGE
Facilities are designed with wide drive aisles, tall clearances, gated access, and enhanced security, making them fundamentally different than traditional self-storage.Â
STORAGE FORMATS
Uncovered (Outdoor Parking)Â
Open-air parking spaces for RVs, boats, trailers and work vehicles. These are the most common and lowest-cost options.
Covered (canopy or carport)Â
Roofed parking that provides protection from the elements while maintaining open sides. Covered spaces are popular for motorhomes and high-value vehicles that need weather protection without full enclosure.Â
Enclosed units (garage-style units)
Fully enclosed units, sometimes climate-controlled, offering maximum security and protection from weather. These are preferred for assets such as luxury motorhomes, high-end boats, and collector and performance vehicles.Â
