What is Toy Storage Nation?
Whether you are speculating on entering this exciting self-storage niche or looking to amp up operations to achieve greater profits, Toy Storage Nation has the tools to assist you on your journey. Toy Storage Nation (TSN) is a media-education brand that aims to accelerate the expertise of RV and boat storage developers, owners, operators and investors via curated content on its website, special reports, a growing library of podcasts, a membership program and exclusive nationwide workshops.
Our TSN Advisory Board features a composite resume of 200-300 years in the storage industry and more than 100 years in RV and boat storage alone, representing all disciplines: development, design, construction, feasibility, financing, management, technology, security, marketing and more.
Known as “the voice of the RV and boat storage industry,” Toy Storage Nation advocates for development and management of Class A facilities, setting owner/operators/investors up for the greatest short-term and long-term success. RV and boat owners invest heavily in their outdoor-rec toys, and they need a standard of storage service that guarantees them the highest level of protection along with customer conveniences to maintain their tenancies long into the future.
To achieve Class A status, an RV/boat storage facility must offer the following:
- Full perimeter fencing,
- Secure gate access,
- Fully paved surfaces, and
- Canopied, covered or enclosed units.
In addition to safely securing tenants’ investments, Class A standards elevate the RV/boat storage community as a whole. No longer must outdoor-rec toys rely on chain-linked parking lots with little to no protection from the elements to store their prized possessions! Toy Storage Nation is helping to shift the perception away from old-school RV/boat storage, encouraging developers to construct high-quality businesses that complement community goals. In doing so, we are helping to diminish planning and zoning concerns, making the industry more attractive to lending institutions, while ensuring a procession of tenants for Class A operators long into the future.
What makes RV and boat storage developing and investing so attractive?
Many owner-operators of RV and boat storage have stated it’s the best business they’ve ever been in. Here’s why:
- Future Growth: Self-storage experts predict the best years are ahead for toy storage. In fact, they have speculated that RV and boat storage is poised to grow much like self-storage started to soar 25-30 years ago–before facilities began popping up on street corners throughout the U.S.
- Return on investment: Whereas traditional self-storage requires a lot of steel material, which can be very expensive, toy storage only requires about half the overhead.
- Lower liability: Tenants are responsible for insuring their own RVs and boats, making insurance premiums less expensive.
- Difference in clientele: People storing boats and RVs are excited about their next adventure when they arrive at the facility. Plus, they are willing to pay a premium to protect their high-priced toys. Most importantly, they rarely default on their rental payments.
- Marketing: Because it’s in such high demand, it can be much easier to gain tenants and fill the facility.
- Renewable energy: RV and boat storage facilities are ideal for solar power installation that benefits the community and can be sold back to a local utility company to buffer the budget.
- Franchises: There are currently no huge franchises to stifle local family operated facilities.
What’s the fastest way to learn all about every step in the process of developing, owning, operating and investing in toy storage?
Toy Storage Nation conducts accelerated workshops four times a year across the country to educate developers, owners, operators and investors about succeeding in this niche asset. This is the single-best opportunity to learn about all angles of getting into the industry.
What is a Toy Storage Nation Executive Workshop?
Our one-of-a-kind TSN Executive RV & Boat Storage Workshops are hosted four times a year in different locations across the country. Presentations are led by the most experienced professionals in the industry, who will guide you through every step of the process to successfully develop, own, operate and invest in RV and boat storage.
You’ll get the tools you need to:
- Find the perfect site,
- Conduct feasibility studies,
- Render site plans,
- Find lenders,
- Get the most recent data to strengthen investment opportunities,
- And much more.
Workshop registration includes information-packed presentations, a tour of a nearby Class A RV and boat storage facility, vendor visits, time to meet one-on-one with experts to ask your own questions, breakfast, lunch and a hearty cocktail reception to mingle with like-minded entrepreneurs and workshop presenters.
Our workshops are designed to be intimate, with limited seating, for the most personalized experience. They’re hosted on Fridays in great locations so you can end your week with a bang and then zip off to enjoy your weekend!
How can I find out about upcoming Executive Workshops? →
To learn about our next upcoming event, click on EVENTS in the menu at the top of our website. You can also visit here to learn more about what to expect at the workshops.
What are the benefits of the Toy Storage Nation Membership?
TSN Membership benefits include the following:
- Access and digital download to the TSN publication, The Guide to RV and Boat Storage
- Huge discounts for member products and services,
- A Membership Certificate to display in your facility lobby, showing tenants you are dedicated to offering them the highest-quality storage experience,
- TSN Membership window cling to display in your office or vehicle window,
- Digital TSN logo for use on your website,
- A 20% discount to TSN RV & Boat Storage Workshops (exclusive of the Las Vegas event hosted at the Inside Self-Storage convention, and
- 10% of all membership proceeds are donated to Wounded Warrior Outdoors
Is there a high demand for RV and boat storage?
Yes! Through research, Toy Storage Nation has revealed that the demand for RV and boat storage is five times higher than what currently exists. At the same time that consumers continue to purchase boats and RVs, more HOAs across the country are cracking down on storing them in backyards and driveways.
Currently, nearly 25 million households own an RV and/or a boat. (Note: Many newcomers to the industry were compelled to build RV and boat storage because they discovered there was nowhere for them to store their own expensive rigs.) Finally, storage industry professionals believe that toy storage is in the same position as self-storage was two to three decades ago–before it grew exponentially.
What makes an RV and boat storage facility a Class A site?
Toy Storage Nation advocates for development of Class A sites for a very good reason: If you build a high-quality storage facility at the get-go, you are less inclined to lose business in the future as more developers enter the market.
RV and boat storage facilities must incorporate the following features to achieve Class A standards:
- Full perimeter fencing,
- Secure gate-access,
- Enclosed or canopied storage units, and
- Paved or concrete surfaces throughout the site.
How much land is needed for successful RV and boat storage and how do I save on costs?
Pioneers in the industry prescribe 7 to 10 acres for developing toy storage. Developments of this size are best suited for rural areas, because land is less expensive outside of a city, where finding an appropriate lot is next to impossible. In addition, tenants seem to prefer to pick up their RVs and boats on the way to their destination, saving on gas, so it can make better sense to buy land outside of urban areas.
What are the different types of RV storage?
There are five storage design options: open parking, standard canopy, three-sided canopy, fully enclosed and the condo concept. Some facility owners incorporate a variety of these into their facility design, while others choose to offer only enclosed units. Although open parking and standard canopy designs aren’t as expensive to develop, the rental rates for them are not as high.
Developers must consider what type of storage facility to build based on their market. In addition, they need to evaluate how weather conditions (snow, rain and intensity of the sun), along with natural disasters (hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes and flooding) will impact structures and the security/protection of RVs and boats.
How much does it cost to develop RV and boat storage?
According to MakoRabco, standard canopy design with metal building installation, including engineering, roofing, framing and labor, will cost around $11 to $15 per square foot (2023 numbers). This is usually about 25% of the turnkey budget. This averages to $44 to $60 per square foot for a canopy build, which includes budget for site work, caissons, asphalt, concrete and building, site electrical and labor to install, excluding permitting/inspecting fees.
When adding enclosed walls around the canopy, a developer should budget approximately $3 to $5 more per square foot for the metal building portion, in addition to open canopy budget numbers. Turnkey budget for enclosed construction can be $75 to $95 per square feet, with doors. Condo costs vary widely, but budgeting $85 to $115 per square foot is a good starting point.
How do I attract tenants to my site?
The marketing plan can be as important as the design, amenities and location of a facility and its success. Facilities must have a website that informs tenants of features and amenities offered, along with assurance that their expensive RVs and boats will be safe and sound. Social media and other forms of digital marketing can also play a big role in attracting tenants. Proper signage is imperative. It’s a great idea to team up with an RV and boat storage marketing firm to ensure you address all angles of marketing to ensure your site’s visibility and long-term success.
What about zoning?
Zoning for RV and boat storage can be tricky. Many jurisdictions don’t understand how it differs from self-storage. Developers often have to educate local planning and zoning teams to obtain permitting or changing zoning restrictions. The best idea is to contract a well-versed developing company, which specializes in RV and boat storage to streamline the process, and to invest in Class A design features.
For more information about Toy Storage Nation workshops, sponsorships and membership programs, contact Amy Bix at amy.bix@toystoragenation,
602-909-3910.
