The Best Small Storage Unit Solutions for Recreational Gear and Accessories
A boat or RV takes up plenty of driveway space, but the gear that goes with it takes up even more. Wetsuits, coolers, tow ropes, folding chairs, tackle boxes, and camp stoves pile up fast, and most garages run out of room long before the season does. A small storage unit for recreational gear gives that equipment a home without the added cost of storing an entire vehicle.
Why a Small Storage Unit Makes Sense for Gear
If your RV or boat already has a parking spot at home or in a marina, you likely don’t need a large storage unit built for vehicles. What you need is a smaller space dedicated to the accessories that make each trip possible. Renting a compact unit lets you keep gear organized and out of the garage, while paying only for the space your equipment actually needs. It’s a practical alternative to converting a spare room or renting an oversized unit meant for a car, boat, or RV.
What Size Unit Do I Need for Outdoor Equipment?
Unit size depends on how much gear you’re working with. A 5×5 unit typically holds camping equipment for one or two people, including tents, sleeping bags, a couple of coolers, and folding chairs. A 5×10 fits gear for a family or a small boat’s worth of accessories, including fishing rods, life jackets, and water sports equipment. If you’re storing seasonal gear for multiple activities together, a 10×10 unit gives enough room for shelving to keep everything sorted. Trojan Storage’s size guide breaks down each option in more detail if you’re not sure where to start.
Tips for Storing Camping Gear in a Small Unit
Camping gear stores well when it’s organized by trip type rather than tossed in as one pile. A few habits make a real difference:
- Use stackable, labeled bins instead of loose bags, so gear stays easy to find.
- Store tents and sleeping bags loosely rather than tightly compressed, since fabric holds up better without constant pressure.
- Add a freestanding shelf if your unit allows it, so smaller items like lanterns, cookware, and hiking gear stay off the floor.
- Keep a running list of what’s stored where, especially if gear moves between the unit and home each season.
RV Accessory Storage That Keeps You Ready for the Road
Leveling blocks, sewer hoses, extra awning parts, portable grills, and folding furniture add up quickly for RV owners. A small unit built for RV accessory storage keeps all of it in one place, so packing for a trip means grabbing what you need instead of digging through a garage. Trojan Storage’s RV storage options can also house the RV itself if you’re ready to free up driveway space. For those planning a bigger trip, our RV guide has recommendations worth checking before you head out.
Boat Gear Storage Unit Essentials
Boat accessories tend to be bulkier and more varied: life jackets, dock lines, fishing tackle, water skis, and fenders all need a place to live between trips. A boat gear storage unit keeps this equipment organized, especially during the off-season when items might otherwise sit in a garage or shed. If your gear list includes surfboards or other water sports equipment, this guide to storing surfboards and beach gear covers the basics. And if you’re storing the boat, Trojan Storage’s boat storage options give both the vehicle and its gear a home in one place.
Ready To Clear Out the Garage?
Whether it’s a single tote of camping gear or a full unit of RV and boat accessories, the right size unit keeps equipment ready for the next trip instead of buried in a garage. Trojan Storage has facilities across California and beyond with unit sizes built for exactly this kind of gear.
FAQ
Most single-activity gear (camping or boating alone) fits in a 5×5 or 5×10 unit. Combining gear from multiple activities usually calls for a 10×10.
Yes. A 5×10 or 10×10 unit typically has enough length and height for kayaks, paddleboards, or similar gear, especially with wall-mounted racks.
It depends on your setup. If the RV or boat is parked elsewhere, a smaller unit dedicated to accessories is often more cost-effective than paying for vehicle-sized storage you don’t need.
Group items by activity, label bins clearly, and leave a clear path down the middle of the unit so you can reach gear in the back without unpacking everything.