Owning an RV can be a ticket to freedom. If you own one, you know having an RV allows you to roam at your leisure and explore much more than you would in other situations. One day you can be at the shore, looking at the sea, and the next in the mountains. Fantastic! One common challenge that many RV owners have, though, is a lack of usable storage space. Let’s face it, even an extra large RV doesn’t have nearly as much storage space as most people have at home. That makes maximizing RV camper storage space a must!

To help you do just that, the storage experts at NSA Storage put together the fact filled article for you, below! It’s 7 RV camper storage tips to maximize space, and make every adventure more enjoyable! To get the most out of your RV camper’s storage space and learn where to store it in the off-season, read on!

1. Declutter

One common problem many RV owners have is that they tend to collect all sorts of stuff as they travel. A cup here, a plate there, along with pillows, plaques, and other tchotchkes. That’s OK at home but, in an RV, can quickly become problematic. Drawers get stuffed to the max, cabinets start overflowing. and any extra space is completely filled.

For that reason, decluttering is the first step towards maximizing RV camper storage space. You can do that by first deciding what items you definitely don’t need, want, or use. Next, donate, sell, or throw away those items to get them out of your RV.

Once that’s done, you’ll have a blank slate to start with while you maximize your space. It might take a little bit of time and effort but, trust us, it’s worth it.

2. Organize Everything

It’s almost impossible to maximize storage space if your RV is completely disorganized. For that reason, organizing everything should be your next step after decluttering. 

You could start by sorting your belongings into categories, including essentials, seasonal, and rarely used. Then, organize cabinets, drawers, and any other storage spots in your RV. You can also be decluttering along the way!

Once everything is decluttered and organized, you’ll likely find that you have a lot more storage space to work with. That’s when maximizing your RV camper storage space really gets interesting!

3. Don’t Overlook Furniture that Also Offers Storage 

When storage space is at a premium, furniture that also offers storage is an excellent solution. That goes for your home as well as your RV camper. Any extra storage space can make your life on the road more enjoyable and comfortable.

Some good examples are benches that fold out into beds with storage underneath, as well as storage drawers underneath fixed beds. An ottoman, or foot rest, with extra storage is also a great choice.

Murphy beds with shelving (once they are lifted up) can be an excellent way to get more storage. So can lift up coffee tables with storage underneath. Foldable or nesting tables and chairs are also a great idea. If it has extra storage space and has a valuable use, it’s likely a good choice.

4. Only Take What You Need and Use Regularly

This tip refers to a situation many RV campers create for themselves: taking too much stuff on the road. If you’re going to be camping out, you’ll want to travel light. Yes, it’s high-end camping, but camping nonetheless. 

For that reason, you don’t need to bring, for example, all of your clothing or shoes. Twelve pairs of shoes? That might be a bit excessive in an RV, and will almost undoubtedly use up way too much space. You also don’t need every single gadget, like can openers, espresso machines, charging cables, and so forth. Leave the gadgets at home and life on the road will be more simple and less cluttered.

One excellent suggestion is to evaluate your trip before you leave and determine what, exactly, you’ll need. If it’s summer, for example, you certainly won’t need a ski parka, gloves and winter boots. The same can be set for winter, when bikinis, tank tops and flip-flops probably won’t be needed.

5. Take Advantage of Vertical RV Camper Storage Space

One excellent storage space that many RV owners overlook is vertical space. That’s the space on the walls, usually above your head, which is typically empty. Hanging shelves, for example, is a great way to utilize vertical space. The same could be said for nets that you can use for lightweight items. When full they work great, and when empty they take up almost no space.

You can also find adhesive hooks and other organizers in most big box stores. These are perfect for organizing and maximizing space in your kitchen and bathroom by utilizing all of the vertical space available.

6. Use Stackable and Collapsible Items whenever Possible

A lot of household items, like cookware, take up a lot of cupboard space. Collapsible cookware, however, become smaller when they’re ready to be stored. The same can be said for many other items, especially in the kitchen and bathroom. That includes, for example, collapsible measuring cups, collapsible food containers, and collapsible mixing bowls.

Then there’s stackable items, which are perfect for RV camper storage maximization. Being able to stack storage containers, pots, and other items, especially when they aren’t being used, takes up much less storage space.

7. Declutter Again

Yes, we did mention decluttering at the beginning of this article. However, if you’re like many RV owners, clutter tends to happen on its own. That’s why, every so often, you should declutter again. It’s simply one of the best ways to maximize storage space while enjoying life on the road.

Store Your RV With NSA Storage

If you need camper storage in the off-season, we highly recommend a self storage facility. The best tend to have excellent security and safety measures, as well as  facilities that are easy to enter and exit. If your HOA prohibits parking your RV camper in your driveway, parking it in a storage facility is a great choice. You’ll have full access and sleep well at night knowing that your RV is in good hands.

NSA Storage has self storage facilities across the United States and many of them provide RV storage also. Some of them also offer covered storage and, depending on the size of your RV, indoor storage. If you truly want to protect your RV investment, storing it in our secure self storage facilities is an excellent choice. With 24/7 security, easy access, and spacious parking, storing your RV in a storage facility simply makes sense. If you’d like to reserve a storage space for your RV camper, you can do so online in minutes. Once done, you can simply pull in, and the on-site manager will show you to your new spot.

We hope you enjoyed these pro tips to help you maximize the storage space in your RV camper! We wish you all the fun, excitement, and adventure that life in an RV can bring!