Exterior RV Storage: What You Need to Know

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With so little space in our tiny home-on-wheels, we’ve had to make a point of continuously purging things from our lives. Even so, we still find ourselves with an excess of stuff. The solution? Exterior RV storage.

I love using the outside of our RV to store things, and I feel I’ve perfected the art. Here’s everything you need to know to make the most of your exterior RV storage options.

Why Choose Exterior RV Storage?

Like I said before, space is limited in an RV. This is an especially big problem when you’re living in the rig full-time.

Exterior RV storage can help you hold onto items that won’t fit into your interior storage space, so you can live as comfortably as possible on the road. It also helps free up interior space for those items you use day-to-day and keeps wet and dirty gear out of your home.

Of course, you have to find ways to safely store things on the exterior of your RV. That’s what we’re going to talk about below.

The Top RV Exterior Storage Options

Now that you understand the importance of exterior RV storage, I want to take a minute to discuss the various exterior storage options. This will help you decide which options work best for you, your stuff, and your rig.

Basement or Pass-Through Compartments

The vast majority of RVs out there have “basement” storage bays underneath the floor. These are the easiest and most obvious exterior storage options, and they might be all you really need.

I like to use our storage compartments for bulky items like outdoor mats, leveling blocks, hoses, tools, and portable grills. I appreciate that they are lockable and weather sealed, and as long as I keep them organized, the items in my storage bays are relatively easily accessible.

Bumper Storage

Some RVs have hollow rear bumpers that double as storage tubes. It actually took me a few months of traveling to realize this, but once I did, I was sure happy for the perfect sewer hose storage spot. I’ve also seen RVers use their hollow bumper to store either flagpoles or poles for mounting Starlink dishes.

It is important to note that the hollow bumper is not weather-proof, meaning anything you store there is likely to get wet.

Roof Storage

To be honest, I don’t love storing things on my RV roof. That said, if you need to carry bulky but lightweight items—such as inflatable kayaks or paddleboards—the roof can be a good option. I recommend securely installing some sort of roof rack to protect your roof, and make sure you use ratchet straps to keep things in place.

It’s important to note that storing things on the roof may affect fuel economy. You’ll also need to keep low clearances in mind, as the things on your roof will make your RV taller.

Hitch-Mounted Racks

We have used our hitch receiver to carry some things. In the case of our class C motorhome, this worked very well because it could handle a lot of weight.

That said, none of our various travel trailer hitch receivers could handle as much weight as the class C’s, meaning we’ve had to be careful about what we load there. My favorite things to store on the hitch receiver have been bikes on a bike rack, but you could also install a rack to hold things like coolers, firewood, and cargo boxes.

Whatever you choose, make sure to check your RV’s tongue weight rating before loading up your hitch rack, because overloading it can cause handling issues or damage your frame.

Ladder and Rear Wall Mounts

Another place I’ve seen a lot of RVers create exterior storage? The ladder. It’s perfect for mounting cargo racks, kayak holders, storage tubes, chairs, and more. It is important to keep weight restrictions in mind however, and remember that climbing a fully loaded ladder can be dangerous.

Under-Chassis Storage Additions

I’ve never done this, but if you’re handy with tools, you could totally install slide-out drawers or lockable boxes under the RV frame. These would be excellent for tools, fishing gear, small propane bottles, etc. You would of course want to use weatherproof boxes made from aluminum or stainless steel, and make sure they don’t hang too low to risk scraping on uneven roads or driveways.

RV Storage Accessories that Can Help

The next step is deciding which accessories you want to use to make the most of your exterior RV storage options. Below are some of the most popular accessories. Pick and choose from this list to customize your setup and make it perfect for you.

Hitch Cargo Carriers

These steel or aluminum platforms mount to your hitch receiver and provide instant cargo space. They’re perfect for coolers, totes, and firewood. Add a weatherproof cargo bag to protect items from rain and road grime.

Bike Racks

We’ve used a few different bike racks over the years. These come in hitch, ladder, or bumper-mounted versions, and the type that works best for you will depend on your setup. Make sure your rack is rated for the weight of your bikes—especially e-bikes, which can be heavier than standard models.

Roof Cargo Boxes

If you’re going to store things on the roof, you might want to invest in roof-mounted cargo boxes to keep things secure and dry. Choose a low-profile model to minimize wind drag.

Generator Mounts

We really like to boondock frequently. When we’re in a rig without an onboard generator, adding a rear-mounted generator tray is extremely helpful. Always ensure proper ventilation and secure mounting for safety.

Exterior Toolboxes

I mentioned mounting things under the frame of your RV above. Lockable aluminum toolboxes are great for this and provide a safe spot for tools, cords, and repair gear.

Storage Tubes and Hose Carriers

Consider mounting a heavy-duty PVC pipe under the frame of your RV or along the bumper. These tubes can store your sewer hoses, flagpoles, fishing rods, or even tent poles.

Organizing Your Exterior RV Storage

One of the biggest problems we’ve had with our exterior storage spaces? They get messy quickly. This is where good organization comes into play.

Here’s what has worked for us.

Use Clear Stackable Bins

I love using clear plastic bins so I can easily see what’s inside. Choosing bins with locking lids is helpful for keeping moisture out, and picking bins that stack means you can use vertical space that may be wasted otherwise.

Distribute Weight Evenly

It’s tricky, but it’s so, so important to make sure you load everything in such a way that weight is distributed across the RV fairly evenly. This is because uneven weight distribution can affect braking and handling, especially on long trips.

Try to balance everything side to side and make sure heavier items go low and near the RV’s center of gravity (ideally over the axles).

Weatherproof Everything

Something I learned the hard way? Condensation and road grime can sneak into storage bays. Because of this, I now line compartment floors with rubber mats and use Damp-Rid to reduce moisture.

Secure Before Every Trip

The stuff you store on the outside of your RV can shift during travel. This is a problem, especially when it comes to items that are strapped to the exterior of the rig. Before you move, make sure the items in your storage bays are secured in some way and check that tiedowns are tight, lids are closed and latched, and nothing is blocking your lights or license plate.

Lock It Up

Obviously, you want to protect your stuff. Use padlocks or combination locks on exterior compartments and hitch-mounted boxes. We have heard of theft in campgrounds plenty of times, but using locks has protected us from seeing anything go missing.

RV Exterior Storage Mistakes to Avoid

You may think there isn’t a lot that can go wrong when loading stuff up in and on your RV, but this actually isn’t the case. There are several super common mistakes you could make.

Overloading the Frame or Hitch

Exceeding your weight ratings can damage suspension, cause sway, or even lead to tire blowouts. Always check:

• Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)
• Tongue weight limits
• Axle load capacities

We like to use a CAT scale or an RV weigh station to confirm total weight every six months or so.

Blocking Access Doors or Utilities

It might seem obvious, but it is worth noting that you’ll want to avoid mounting gear where it interferes with dump valves, storage bays, or emergency exits. You don’t want to unstrap a kayak every time you need to dump the tanks.

Improper Waterproofing

Not all storage accessories are truly weatherproof, even if they say they are. Check seams, zippers, and lids for wear and tear periodically, and add silicone seals or waterproof sprays where needed.

Ignoring Aerodynamics

As mentioned above, roof cargo increases drag and reduces fuel efficiency. If you choose to use roof storage, keep roof loads minimal and pack wind-resistant shapes when possible.

Poor Security

Most campgrounds might feel perfectly safe, but leaving gear unsecured overnight or during travel can lead to theft or loss. I’ve seen it happen. Lock everything—especially things like generators, propane tanks, and e-bikes.

Weather and Maintenance Tips

Over time, exterior storage gear will become faded, brittle, and worn out from sun, rain, and road debris. I like to do my best to slow the wear and tear by taking some simple steps:

• Wash storage accessories regularly. Road salt and grime can corrode metal frames.
• Inspect straps and buckles. Replace any that show fraying or UV damage.
• Lubricate locks and hinges. Use silicone spray to prevent rust.
• Apply UV protectant. Keep plastic bins and bags from becoming brittle in the sun.
• Re-seal seams. Use marine-grade silicone or waterproof tape on any storage boxes showing leaks.

Safety and Legal Considerations

Of course, you’ll also want to make sure your storage methods are both safe and legal. Using the following tips will help with that:

• Don’t block your license plate, lights, or camera.
• Observe weight and length laws. Some states have specific rules about rear cargo extensions.
• Avoid flammable materials near heat sources. Keep propane tanks and fuel separate from electrical gear.
• Maintain rear visibility. Use a rear-view camera or mirror extender if your load blocks your back window.

RV Storage Tips

We rarely put our RV into storage. That said, when we do, I take measures to ensure the items that are normally stored on the exterior of the RV are safe. I empty and clean all storage bays, making sure they are totally dry before replacing the items. Soft items like chairs and bags are stored indoors, and racks and mounts get covered to protect them from weather. I also lubricate hinges and locks to ensure they work when I get back.

As you can see, there are a number of options when it comes to exterior RV storage. Making use of these options is how we manage to carry everything we need and still live comfortably in our RV. If you’re having trouble finding space for everything, I highly recommend finding ways to add exterior storage to your setup.

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