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Some RV Storage Facilities Are Now Banning Rigs Over 10 Years Old

Published on May 19th, 2023 by Lynne Fedorick

old RV, feature image for RV storage facilities
Classic RVs could face bans at RV storage facilities.

RV Storage Facilities Are Now Banning Rigs Over 10 Years Old

Most RVers are aware of bans on older RVs at RV parks. However, some RV storage facilities are joining many RV parks in banning rigs that are more than 10 years old. In a thread on Forest River Forums, RV owners expressed shock at this increasing trend. Why would an RV storage facility have a 10-year rule?

It’s easy to understand why more high-end RV resorts choose to ban older RVs. Some older RVs that haven’t been well-maintained can become real eyesores. Because of this, having a lot of older RVs in an RV park can negatively affect the ambiance of a park. It’s safe to say no RV park wants to become known as a destination for derelict older RVs. Aside from that, high-end RV resorts want to attract a demographic that’s ready and willing to spend money on a luxury vacation. Allowing older RVs could detract from this target clientele’s perception of the RV park as a place of luxury and prestige.

Sometimes the reasons for bans on rigs over 10 years old in RV parks can be understandable. However, similar bans at RV storage businesses can be perplexing. In this article, we’ll unpack the reasons for the 10-year rule at RV storage facilities.

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Why is there a 10-year rule?

To fully understand what’s going on, let’s have a look at the storage industry, and more specifically, the RV storage industry. The storage industry has been doing remarkably well in the last two years, with vacancy levels at an all-time low. More people have more stuff to store than ever before.

RVs are sometimes stored for years on end. While many RVs in storage facilities are well-loved, maintained, and used seasonally, others are never used. After a while, the owners often stop doing repairs and maintenance on these RVs, and they are left to rot. Sometimes these older RVs are abandoned. When this happens, the storage facility is left to sort out what to do with them. Not only that, in such cases, storage rental fees frequently remain unpaid. When this happens, the storage facility is faced with collecting storage fees from owners who may have disappeared.

Abandoned RVs at storage lots

Most people who put a new RV into storage will take care of it. They’ll make sure repairs are done and routine maintenance is performed. It’s pretty rare for newer RVs to be abandoned. In the unlikely event an RV under 10 years old is abandoned due to some unforeseen event, it won’t have depreciated much. Therefore the RV storage facility owner will still be able to recoup any unpaid rent. He’ll also be able to cover the expenses associated with getting rid of the RV.

On the other hand, RVs that are more than 10 years old are more likely to become dilapidated and then be abandoned at an RV storage facility. Not only that, but by the time they’re obviously abandoned, these RVs will often have depreciated so much that it will cost the storage facility money to get rid of them.

With historically low vacancy levels, some RV storage facilities are taking measures to ensure that they aren’t left with unpaid rent and abandoned RVs.


See what other RVers are saying

One of the best parts about RVing is engaging with the community of traveling enthusiasts. iRV2 forums allow folks to chat with other RVers online, and get other perspectives on everything RVing, including products, destinations, RV mods, and more.

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8 thoughts on “Some RV Storage Facilities Are Now Banning Rigs Over 10 Years Old”

  1. I have had that problem when a repair company refused to work on my 2002 motorhome. And in AZ I had a couple campgrounds tell me I wasn’t welcome due the the age of my unit. As far as I’m concerned I hope with all my heart these companies go broke.

    Reply
  2. A well maintained and used RV should be allowed to stay in storage. The people run ing the storage facility should set rule that stated the RV’s stored there must be in running, well maintained and used condition. Basically they cannot just be stored there for months on end, winter exception, without being used.

    Reply
  3. I’m in an RV and other stuff storage lot. 80% of the vehicles, trailers, boats stored there never move, and many have not be registered in years. I guess they finally get moved when the renter dies and stops paying the monthly rent. I can see why some storage facilities are adopting a 10 year rule.

    Reply
  4. We owned a storage facility one time and we did have 1 RV that in the end was handed over to us as it deteriorated. However what the storage facilities and RV parks should do is question the shape the RV is in. Here is why . Our 2008 Hilo we had it toral reconditioned in 2021. so basically it is only 2 years old.
    The government tried something similar to this several years ago that if a vehicle was over a certain age that it could no longer be driven. I believe it was so more new cars would be sold. New Hampshire does not issue titles for vehicles that have a model year of 1999 or older. See the web page link for that.

    Reply
  5. I can see the issue. But I do not have that concern. Right now working on a camper conversion of a 1997, long wheelbase, high top van, with well under 200,000 miles, and in good condition. Once the camper is finished, during the non-camping months it will be at home, not in a storage yard. Any needed maintenance will be done there, or at a local garage. And it will be used, if my primary vehicle needs to be in the shop, and it will be used on weekends for day trips, fishing trips, and similar. It is all in how you look at things. I prefer it my way, and not parked somewhere and it could take hours to get back home when it is needed in an emergency. Hell, I would do the same thing if I had a larger, and newer, rig. Keep it handy if you want to, or need to, use is, and park for free. And I find it a lot less trouble doing maintenance at home than it would be having to travel for who knows how many miles to do it in storage.

    Reply
    • That’s all fine and dandy till you live in a neighborhood with a HOA that won’t allow RV parking of any kind in driveways, yards or anywhere on your property. What to do then? Pay to store it at a storage facility.

      Reply
  6. While I understand the basis for wanting to control older, poorly maintained RVs from cluttering nice RV parks and storage facilities I feel this rule is discriminatory to those who meticulously maintain their rigs for many more than 10 years! Our rig is six years old now, still looks like the day it came out of the factory and we will continue to maintain it so it does. I do not think we, or anybody else, who continues to maintain their RV properly should not be able to stay in any RV park or storage facility. What do others think and how do you deal with this??

    Reply
    • I have checked into parks with a ten year limit in my 2005 Pace Arrow, which still looks like a fairly new vehicle. I believe most parks have the rule Jo they can keep junky looking rigs and do not check age unless the coach looks bad.

      Reply

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