Common Pitfalls for RV Storage Facilities: Avoiding Design and Layout Mistakes

By Benjamin Grennan

With the self-storage market showing a positive outlook and demand trends, the sector continues to attract developers, investors and entrepreneurs. The potential for success in the RV storage facility business is even higher, and the market shows no signs of slowing.

Understanding that over 40 million Americans go RVing and RV/boat ownership is at an all-time high–making it the largest RV ownership market globally–is crucial for anyone considering entering the RV storage facility business.

If you’re considering reaping the benefits of this lucrative venture, remember that attracting clients is the key to driving your RV storage facility business forward. This guide will address critical facility design mistakes that can hinder your business growth and how to avoid them.

Incomplete Pre-Planning

Thorough pre-planning, including clear communication with planning and zoning boards and vendors, is not just a key step; it’s a crucial foundation to avoid common mistakes in RV storage facility development. This proactive approach can help prevent delays and additional approvals, giving you a solid start. 

You must check whether the land permits vehicle storage construction, or you’ll need conditional approval or a zoning change. However, conditional permits and rezoning requests may be denied or take several months, and this lengthy process can delay your land purchase agreement. 

It is also essential to include contractor specifications and a solid construction plan to ensure that construction is done correctly and within budget. Development projects often take longer than anticipated, so account for land acquisition, weather, site planning, building design, approvals, financing, labor shortage and construction.

Additionally, developing a storage facility requires professional expertise, and if you’re not an expert yourself, it’s wise to have a development team on board. This includes taking advice from seasoned professionals in real estate, commercial property law, finance and construction.

No Mixed Unit Sizes

Self-storage feasibility studies and market analyses recommend offering a range of unit sizes to meet demand and maximize profits. It’s essential to consider factors such as location and demand when determining unit sizes rather than solely relying on what your competitors are offering. 

Offering a variety of unit sizes at the start—or adding larger units to an existing self-storage facility—can lead to faster lease-ups and increased revenue. The ideal average space for units ranges from 90 to 140 square feet. If you’re developing a hybrid site, you might consider incorporating 5x5s and 5x10s for traditional storage clients, rounding out the mix with plenty of 10x20s, 10x30s and 10x40s for toy storage clients. You might even consider widening some unit spaces to 12 feet to accommodate larger rigs and give tenants ample space to maneuver in and out of the unit.

As for the height, generally, self-storage units reach 8 feet high, but they can go up to 12 feet to accommodate bigger rigs. It’s always best to consult with feasibility experts when determining unit mix, because they will evaluate your area’s existing unit supply to identify what mix will address shortages or overages specific to your locale.  

Neglecting Site Location

When selecting a site location for a facility, assessing the property’s buildable area and unique features is important. These unique features could include existing structures that can be repurposed or natural elements that enhance the facility’s aesthetic appeal. 

Consider utilizing relocatable self-storage units to expand revenue on existing built-out sites. Factors such as uneven surfaces, easements, setbacks and power lines should be factored in when designing the site layout to ensure easy traffic flow and customer accessibility, especially for moving vans, RVs and boats. 

Complying with local zoning, building and ADA regulations is crucial when designing the facility to ensure it is compliant with zoning regulations. Additionally, tailor your units based on location, target market and competition. As mentioned previously, it is imperative to research the rental rates, occupancy and unit sizes offered by competitors in your area to make informed decisions.

Preferably, choose a location on the route to recreational activity areas like campgrounds, beaches, lakes, national parks and other attractions that draw RV travelers and boating enthusiasts. Proper signage and visibility on highly traveled roadways will also bump up your facility’s potential for success. 

Bear in mind that location will make or break your business, and if you want construction costs to pay off, you must choose wisely, especially in terms of long-term renters.

Unaware of Surrounding Demographics

Demographic information determines the optimal unit mix for a storage facility. Factors such as homeowners’ tendency to rent and keep larger units longer, compared to renters who move around more frequently and require less space will influence the unit mix tailored to local demand. 

The types of items people in the area store, such as sports equipment, boats and RVs, also impact the facility’s design. Considering age, income, marital status and family size will also help to design a site layout that meets the diverse needs of potential clients. 

For example, the RV Industry Association suggests that an average American RV owner is a 40- to 50-year-old married homeowner with a household income of $62,000, however more and more young outdoor enthusiasts are embracing RV travel. Sometimes building near established neighborhoods can guarantee greater development success, but building near newer tract housing may be your best bet, especially where HOAs restrict parking RVs and boats in driveways and backyards. 

Again, it’s best to default to a feasibility expert to steer you toward meeting demographic needs when speculating on where to build. The cost is definitely worth it.

Skimping on Security

Facility owners often make common mistakes such as limited security measures, insufficient site lighting, misaligned access keypads, high-def cameras and improperly installed gate-safety trip wires. 

You must ensure that access keypads are appropriately aligned with gate limits to facilitate easy access for drivers. Also, installing gate-safety trip wires under the final pavement course is important to prevent deterioration. Similarly, the facility must be well-lit, including powerful LED lights near the entrance, gates and general perimeter. 

All these measures are essential for maintaining a secure and well-functioning facility. Considering an RV costs approximately $35,000 to $300,000, owners dearly safeguard their investment, which reflects in which storage facility they choose. As a result, a facility with poor security features will lose customers.

Unplanned Layout and Design

When designing a storage facility, you must make the most of your space, choosing the right design and smart layout construction. To begin with, consider the standard RV sizes, such as travel trailers, motorhomes and fifth wheels.

Considering the impact of narrow drive aisles, ceiling heights and door width on these RV sizes is crucial because inadequate access aisles can limit functionality. Similarly, units not visible from the road may hinder customer attraction. 

Placing larger units on the perimeter can provide extra maneuvering space and reduce the risk of vehicle damage. Additionally, avoiding dead ends within the facility is essential to avoid inconveniencing clients. 

It’s also wise to steer clear of odd-sized buildings, as they can be costly and impractical due to increased material waste. Lastly, adding “show” units near the office can facilitate site tours and help clients determine their unit requirements.

Having easily accessible but smaller storage units also benefits smaller vehicles like boats on trailers, campervans and utility trailers. Some clients will also want extra storage for their gear and other items, and a mini unit will undoubtedly appeal to them.

Unwelcoming Facility Presence

During the initial phase of setting up your facility, ensuring that the office space is well designed is crucial to avoid potential issues. A lack of office space can lead to difficulties during the lease-up period and may result in rent reduction. 

However, once your facility is up and running, it must be in presentable condition to attract customers. So, an adequate office sales area and appealing landscaping can positively impact first impressions and rentals. 

Refraining from regular cleanliness and upkeep is a major red flag for potential clients; this includes dust accumulation, structural issues, pest infestations, etc. Maintain an appealing environment by keeping a strict maintenance schedule. 

Don’t forget about the outdoor area because the curb appeal of your facility is one of the first things anyone will notice. This means having defined pathways, mowing and edging, weeding and watering plants. If you don’t want to invest too much in the garden upkeep, use commercial-grade landscaping cloth to control weed growth and prevent soil erosion.

You should also consider onsite amenities because RV owners prefer having access to water and flat fee or metered electricity. Similarly, they will also appreciate the presence of dump stations to empty their tanks as well as air and water stations to fill their tanks with fresh water and ensure proper tire inflation for their next trip.

It’s also important to prioritize easy navigation to the office, bathrooms and units to maintain convenient access for a customer. Furthermore, having a 4-foot main gate is essential for the convenience of site walks and chore management.

Conclusion

Storing an RV is way more than just parking it in an empty unit; it requires general care and many other considerations to ensure you get more clients while keeping the existing ones happy. Using the guidelines spelled out above will help you avoid critical mistakes when designing your facility and build it correctly for a long, successful investment. 

Benjamin Grennan is a passionate DIY enthusiast with a knack for home improvement. He loves transforming spaces, both indoors and out, with his green thumb and innovative projects.

Toy Storage Nation