Zachary Urow April 22, 2025
Introduction
RV and boat ownership surged during the pandemic, and in 2025, demand for these vehicles remains strong. The RV Industry Association reports a 21.9% increase in shipments year-overyear as of January, while the National Marine Manufacturers Association notes continued strength in popular boat segments like pontoons and personal watercrafts.
This growth is driving a parallel need: secure, high-quality storage. Unlike traditional selfstorage users, RV and boat owners are often storing six-figure assets. They’re looking for covered or enclosed facilities with wide access lanes, premium amenities, and a higher standard of care, especially when vehicles are stored seasonally or used for long-haul travel.
Enter Class A RV and boat storage. These resort-style facilities ofer more than just parking. They serve a diferent type of tenant, one that values convenience, protection, and full-service features. As more investors start looking at this asset class, it’s becoming clear: Class A storage isn’t just a niche, it’s a growing piece of the future storage landscape.
National Trends in RV, Boat, and Truck Sales
The pandemic-era surge in RV and boat ownership has transitioned into a more stable, but still elevated, market in 2025. Rather than fading, the lifestyle shift toward recreational vehicle use appears to be holding strong, with early 2025 data signaling renewed interest across RV, boat, and pickup truck segments.
RV sales show this trend clearly. After record highs during the pandemic, the market saw a temporary correction, but the recovery is now gaining strength. In 2024, total shipments rose by 6.6% year-over-year, and that momentum has accelerated into 2025 with January shipments up 21.9% from the previous year and February growing another 6% month-overmonth.
Boat sales remain strong by historical standards. While new powerboat sales declined modestly in 2024 to an estimated 230,000-240,000 units, the industry is expected to return to growth in 2025, supported by steady consumer interest and new product innovation. U.S. boating expenditures are projected to rise by 3% to 5% this year, signaling continued engagement in the recreational marine space.
Pickup truck sales, needed for towing both boats and RVs, continue to rise. Cox Automotive reported full-size pickup trucks experienced the best year-over-year performance among all truck and vehicle segments, with a 14.5% increase in sales from January 2024 to January 2025.
Altogether, these trends paint a clear picture: Americans are still buying and using recreational vehicles, and they continue to need reliable, long-term storage for them. But unlike traditional storage users, these owners aren’t storing boxes, they’re storing high-value, seasonal vehicles that require space, protection, and convenience. As a result, more owners are turning to storage solutions that ofer the space and features their vehicle requires.
Demand Drivers for Class A RV & Boat Storage
Traditional self-storage investors are increasingly entering the RV and boat storage space, drawn by growing demand, strong returns, and limited competition. While historically fragmented and dominated by mom-and-pop operators, the sector is evolving quickly as vehicle ownership levels remain elevated and many regions remain underserved.
The global RV and boat storage market is projected to grow from $2.6 billion in 2024 to nearly $6 billion by 2032, a 12.5% compound annual growth rate. These assets often generate higher revenue per square foot due to oversized unit pricing, while operating costs tend to be lower than conventional storage. Combined with lower delinquency rates and reduced turnover, RV and boat storage is emerging as an attractive option for investors seeking diversification and long-term yield.
Oakley Executive Boat & RV Storage
As ownership of large, high-value recreational vehicles and boats continues to climb – often exceeding $100,000 in value – so too do expectations around the quality of storage. Class A facilities are purpose-built to meet these expectations, offering wide drive aisles, canopy or enclosed units for protection from the elements, and an array of upscale amenities. Fullservice features such as dump stations, wash bays, air pumps, electrical hookups, showers, ice machines, and solar-powered infrastructure are increasingly considered standard in top-tier developments.
Average Value of Goods in Traditional Storage vs. Class A RV & Boat Storage
Solar energy, in particular, is catching on fast as both a cost-saving and an eco-friendly differentiator, especially in states where sustainability initiatives align with investor priorities. These features not only improve tenant satisfaction but also improve a facility’s marketability and NOI.
Location strategy is another key differentiator. Unlike traditional self-storage, RV and boat storage is often a “50-mile business”, with tenants willing to travel farther for secure facilities near travel corridors, national parks, lakes, or coastal access points. High-demand states include Florida, Texas, Arizona, the Carolinas, and lake regions throughout the Midwest and Southeast.
Adding to this trend is a growing number of RV users who live part-time or full-time in their vehicles. For them, Class A storage fit right into their lifestyle by offering a reliable, well equipped stopover between travels. As this mobile lifestyle becomes more normalized, the demand for facilities that offer both protection and convenience will only continue to grow.
Recent acquisitions of canopy-style Class A RV and boat facilities in high-growth corridors further validate this trend. These facilities, often fully leased and featuring solar integration, covered storage, and full-service infrastructure, are beginning to set new benchmarks for pricing and cap rate compression in their respective markets.
A recent transaction in California’s Central Valley involved a stabilized, solar-equipped facility with a high amenity mix, reflecting the sector’s growing appeal to institutional investors.
The Road Ahead
As of early 2025, the RV and boat storage development pipeline remains active. Nearly 1,800 dedicated facilities now exist across the U.S., with 56 under construction and 162 more in planning stages. Even with new projects in progress, only 4.4% of total space was completed last year, showing demand is still outpacing supply and encouraging more Class A developments.
In the near future, Class A RV and boat storage is expected to continue growing, fueled by several key trends. The aging Baby Boomer population, with more disposable income, will drive demand for premium storage options for high-value recreational vehicles and boats. Meanwhile, younger RVers seeking adventure and the flexibility of remote work will contribute to the expanding consumer base for these high-end facilities.
Shifting zoning regulations are opening new opportunities for Class A storage, particularly in suburban and outskirts areas that provide easy access to travel corridors, national parks, and coastal areas. Institutional capital will keep flowing into this sector, strengthening the longterm potential of premium storage assets. As demand rises, the focus will remain on ofering
high-quality amenities and security features, making sure these facilities continue to meet the needs of RV and boat owners.
About Urow Real Estate
Urow Real Estate is an elite, boutique investment sales firm exclusively focused on selling selfstorage facilities across the country. We are based in Tampa, FL and have team members located throughout the United States. We combine the sophistication of investment banking firms with the knowledge of top storage operators.
Oakley Executive Boat & RV Storage
In 2025, Urow Real Estate successfully brokered the sale of Oakley Executive Boat & RV Storage, a landmark Class A facility located in Oakley, California. This 546-unit, 273,105 NRSF property set a new standard for large-vehicle storage in Northern California, featuring:
- 20 solar-integrated canopies
- Extra-wide drive aisles and angled pull-through parking
- Top-tier amenities including trickle charging, dump stations, restrooms, showers, and an on-site conference room
- 35+ security cameras, gated keypad access, and a 14-foot perimeter fence
- On-site solar infrastructure generating over $695,000 annually in additional income
The property is strategically positioned in a high-barrier-to-entry Bay Area market, benefiting from strict zoning, rising land scarcity, and persistent undersupply. With 87% occupancy at the time of sale and solar-enhanced NOI, the Oakley facility represents the next generation of institutional-quality RV and boat storage.
Contact
For more information about Class A RV and boat storage opportunities, reach out:
Zachary Urow
Founder & President, Urow Real Estate
201.572.4021
zachary@urowrealestate.com
Sean Ruhlman
Senior Associate, Urow Real Estate
727.504.1237
sean.ruhlman@urowrealestate.com
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