What size RV storage do you need? Choose a unit that is 3 to 4 feet longer than your RV's true overall length, then confirm that the door height clears your tallest point. Length gets most of the attention, but door height is the measurement that most often rules a unit out. Below is how to measure your rig for RV storage, what typically fits where, and the real unit and door sizes at Carefree Covered RV Storage's enclosed garage locations in Chandler, AZ and Wylie, TX.
The Three Measurements That Decide RV Storage Fit
An RV storage unit has to work in three directions at once. Check all three before you rent, because passing two out of three still means the RV does not go in.
1. Overall length, not the number on the brochure
Manufacturers often list the box length of a trailer or the floor length of a motorhome. What matters for RV storage is the full bumper-to-bumper length, including everything that sticks out. On a travel trailer or fifth wheel, measure from the tip of the hitch coupler to the rear bumper or ladder. On a motorhome, include any rear bumper cargo carrier, bike rack, or tow hitch. A trailer listed at 28 feet is often closer to 32 feet once the tongue is counted.
Then add working room. Leave about 3 to 4 feet beyond that overall length so you can walk around the front and back, pull a power cord, and open a rear door without squeezing past a wall.
2. Height, measured at the tallest point
Measure to the highest thing on the roof, which is usually the air conditioner, a satellite dome, a vent cover, or a roof rack. Most travel trailers, fifth wheels, and motorhomes run roughly 10 to 13.5 feet tall once roof equipment is included, and Class A coaches and fifth wheels sit at the top of that range. Compare your number to the door height of the unit, not the ceiling height inside. The door opening is the lowest clearance the RV has to pass under.
3. Width, with slides in and awnings rolled up
Unit widths and door widths are not the same thing. A 14-foot-wide unit can have a 12-foot-wide door, so check the door opening first. Measure your RV at its widest point with slide-outs retracted and the awning rolled in, and remember that mirrors can add several inches beyond the body on a motorhome or tow vehicle.
Typical RV Lengths and the RV Storage Size They Usually Need
Exact dimensions vary by manufacturer and floor plan, but the ranges below are typical for each vehicle type. Use them to narrow your search, then confirm with your own measurements.
| Vehicle Type | Typical Overall Length | Unit Length to Look At |
|---|---|---|
| Boat on a trailer (recreational) | About 16 to 28 ft | 20 to 30 ft |
| Class B camper van | About 19 to 24 ft | About 25 to 30 ft |
| Compact or bumper-pull travel trailer | Up to about 26 ft | About 29 to 30 ft |
| Class C motorhome | About 24 to 33 ft | About 30 to 36 ft |
| Larger travel trailer or toy hauler | About 28 to 38 ft | About 32 to 42 ft |
| Fifth wheel | About 28 to 40+ ft | About 35 to 45 ft |
| Class A motorhome | About 30 to 45 ft | About 35 to 50 ft |
Ranges are general industry norms, not a guarantee for any single model. Always use your own measured overall length.
Why a longer unit does not always mean a taller door
Fifth wheels and Class A motorhomes are both long and tall. A unit that is long enough for one of these rigs can still have a door that is too short for the roof equipment, especially at locations where door height is set by building, not by unit length. Always check length and door height as a pair.
Real RV Storage Unit and Door Sizes at Carefree's Enclosed Garage Locations
Door size is set by the building, not by the generic "small, medium, large" label, so it helps to look at each location's actual inventory. Here are the enclosed units that fit RVs and boats at Carefree Covered RV Storage's Arizona and Texas facilities:
| Location | Enclosed Unit Sizes (W x L) | Door Opening (W x H) |
|---|---|---|
| Chandler I-10, AZ 1575 S. Nelson Dr. Location details |
12 x 29, 15 x 34, 15 x 50 | 13 ft x 14 ft |
| Chandler Kyrene (L-202), AZ 1000 S. Kyrene Rd. Location details |
14 x 35, 14 x 40, 14 x 45, 14 x 50 | 12 ft x 14 ft |
| Wylie, TX (Osage Lane) 3883 Osage Lane Location details |
12 x 30, 12 x 36, 13 x 50, 12 x 60 | About 12 ft x 13 ft |
| Wylie, TX (Bargain Storage) 3151 Parker Rd. Location details |
12 x 20 up to 12 x 42 (many sizes in between) | Varies by unit: 10 to 14 ft tall |
Door size can vary by unit within a location, particularly at Wylie Bargain Storage, where door height does not track unit length. Confirm the door of the specific unit before you commit. Carefree's Apache Junction, AZ garage is built for cars, trucks, motorcycles, and specialty vehicles rather than RVs, so it is not included above.
What this means in practice
- Mid-length travel trailers and Class C motorhomes have the most choices. The 12 x 30 to 15 x 34 range in Chandler and Wylie covers most rigs up to roughly 26 to 32 feet.
- Tall fifth wheels and Class A coaches need the 14-foot door heights at the two Chandler locations, or a confirmed tall door at Wylie Bargain Storage. A 13-foot door is marginal for a rig that stands 13 to 13.5 feet with roof equipment.
- Boats and trailers are usually the easiest fit on height, since most sit well under 10 feet. Measure the full length including the trailer tongue and any outboard motor in the tilted position.
- Wanting to park a tow vehicle too? The 50-foot and longer units exist for that purpose. A 14 x 50 or 15 x 50 unit fits a large rig plus a truck behind it.
How to Measure Your RV in Five Steps
- Park on level ground with slide-outs in, awning rolled up, and any bike rack or cargo carrier attached the way you will store it.
- Measure overall length from the very front point to the very rear point, including the hitch coupler or a front bumper accessory, and any rear ladder, spare tire, or carrier.
- Measure the full height to the tallest roof item, with the roof air conditioner, satellite dome, and vents all in place. Antennas that fold down should be folded.
- Measure the width at the widest point, usually across the body with mirrors folded in if they fold.
- Write all three numbers down, then add 3 to 4 feet to the length before comparing to RV storage unit sizes. Compare height to the door opening, not the ceiling.
Common RV Storage Sizing Mistakes to Avoid
The most frequent error is using the listed trailer length instead of the real overall length with the hitch. The second is forgetting roof equipment when comparing height to a door. The third is choosing a unit that fits on paper but leaves no room to open the rear door or plug in a power cord. Sizing up one step often costs far less than the frustration of a rig that scrapes the door frame or cannot be opened fully once parked.
Still wondering what size RV storage you need? A quick call to the facility settles it. Staff can pull the exact door dimensions for the specific unit and confirm availability in the length you need.
FAQ: Choosing the Right Size RV Storage
What size RV storage do I need for a 30-foot RV?
For a rig with a true overall length of about 30 feet, look at RV storage units around 33 to 36 feet long so you keep 3 to 4 feet of working room. Then check that the door height clears your tallest point, which for a 30-foot motorhome or fifth wheel is often 12 to 13.5 feet.
How much extra room should I leave in an RV storage unit?
A good rule of thumb is 3 to 4 feet beyond the RV's overall length, plus enough width to open doors and walk the sides. This gives you room to plug in power, access the rear, and avoid rubbing walls.
Does the door height matter more than the unit length?
They matter equally, but door height is the one people forget. A unit can be long enough and still be unusable if the door opening is lower than your roof air conditioner or other rooftop equipment. Always compare your tallest point to the door opening.
Will a Class A motorhome or fifth wheel fit in an enclosed garage?
Often yes, but they need both length and height. Look for units around 35 to 50 feet with a door that is at least as tall as your rig. At Carefree Covered RV Storage, the Chandler locations offer doors 14 feet tall, and Wylie Bargain Storage has some units with 14-foot doors.
Can I store a boat in an enclosed RV garage?
Yes. Boats on trailers are typically shorter and lower than RVs, so they fit a wide range of unit sizes. The two Wylie, TX facilities have units suited to boats and RVs. Measure the full length including the trailer tongue.
What if my RV is between two unit sizes?
Choose the larger size. The cost difference is usually modest compared to the added working room, and a longer unit lets you add a bike rack, cargo carrier, or tow vehicle later without having to move.
Where can I rent an enclosed RV garage in Chandler, AZ or Wylie, TX?
Carefree Covered RV Storage offers enclosed units in Chandler, AZ at 1575 S. Nelson Dr. and 1000 S. Kyrene Rd., and in Wylie, TX at 3830 Parker Rd. (with an Osage Lane lot nearby). Bargain Storage in Wylie also has enclosed units at 3151 Parker Rd. You can compare every option on our locations page.
See Real RV Storage Sizes Near You
Browse enclosed garage sizes and door dimensions, then check rates and availability at the location that fits your RV or boat.
Still deciding whether enclosed is worth it for your rig? See our covered vs. enclosed comparison, or read the cost breakdowns for Arizona and Texas.
Note: RV dimensions in this article are typical industry ranges and vary by manufacturer and floor plan. Unit and door sizes are based on current inventory at Carefree Covered RV Storage locations and may change by unit and availability. Always measure your own vehicle and confirm unit and door dimensions with the facility before renting.
