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Vehicle Storage Size Estimator
Tell us what you're storing and we'll match you to the right unit size.
Storage Unit Sizes by Vehicle Type
Use these guidelines as a starting point — always measure your vehicle's total length before booking.
| Vehicle type | Typical unit |
|---|---|
| Motorcycle | 5×10 |
| Standard Car | 10×20 |
| SUV / Pickup | 10×20 – 10×25 |
| Full-size Truck | 10×25 – 10×30 |
| Boat (under 20 ft) | 10×20 |
| Boat (20–25 ft) | 10×25 |
| Boat (25–30 ft) | 10×30 |
| RV / Motorhome | 12×25 – 12×40+ |
How to Measure Your Vehicle for Storage
The number to measure is the total nose-to-tail length — not just the vehicle itself, but everything that goes into the unit with it.
- Cars and trucks: Measure bumper-to-bumper. Add a foot for a front license plate bracket if present.
- Boats on trailers: Measure from the bow to the end of the trailer tongue (the part that hitches to your truck). That hitch extension typically adds 3–5 ft beyond the boat's length.
- RVs and motorhomes: Measure the full body length. For towable trailers, measure tongue to tail. Class A and C motorhomes: bumper to bumper.
- Motorcycles: Most motorcycles are 6–8 ft long. A 5×10 unit gives you room to walk around the bike and store a helmet and jacket.
Height and Door Clearance
Height is the number that catches people out. Our large units have ceilings of 8 to 10 ft, and the roll-up door opening sits lower than the ceiling. That rules out nearly every motorhome, travel trailer, high-roof van, pontoon, and wake boat with a tower before length even comes into it — which is why those vehicles belong in a parking spot.
The usual culprits are roof air conditioners, wakeboard towers, T-tops, bimini frames, ladder racks, lift kits, and roof cargo boxes. If the estimator flags your vehicle as Check door, measure its true height, then confirm the door opening at that location before you rent.
Width trips up boats and trikes more than cars. Many boats are 8 to 8.5 ft across the beam, and trikes are too wide for a 5 ft wide unit. Measure car and truck width with the mirrors folded.
Vehicle Storage Options: Enclosed, Covered, or Outdoor
Not all vehicle storage is the same. Here's how the three main types compare.
Enclosed unit
Best protectionA fully enclosed, lockable space — the same as any self-storage unit, just sized for a vehicle. Best for cars, motorcycles, and classic vehicles where weather, dust, and security are priorities.
Pros
- Full weather protection
- Locked — accessible only by you
- Protects paint and interior from UV and moisture
Cons
- Most expensive option
- Limited to vehicle lengths the unit accommodates
- Not available in large enough sizes for most RVs/boats
Covered outdoor parking
Balance of cost + protectionA roofed but open-sided parking space. Protects against direct sun, rain, and hail while remaining accessible for large vehicles like RVs and boats.
Pros
- Roof protection at a lower price than enclosed
- Wide enough for RVs and larger boats
- Easy in/out access
Cons
- Open sides — wind-driven rain and dust still reach the vehicle
- Less secure than a locked unit
Uncovered outdoor parking
Most affordableAn open parking space — no roof, no walls. The most budget-friendly way to store a large vehicle when weather protection isn't a primary concern.
Pros
- Lowest monthly cost
- Accommodates any size RV or boat
- Easy drive-in access
Cons
- No weather protection
- Sun, rain, and bird exposure year-round
- Less private than covered or enclosed options
How to Choose a Parking Spot Size
Two numbers pick your spot: overall length and width. Choose a spot at least a foot longer than your vehicle, measured from the front bumper (or trailer tongue) to the farthest point at the back. Then check width. A 10 ft wide spot suits anything up to about 8 ft wide. Pontoons, wake boats, and most travel trailers, fifth wheels, and Class A motorhomes run 8 to 8.5 ft wide, so a 12 ft wide spot gives you room to walk around them and open a door.
| Spot size | Comfortable vehicle length | Vehicle width |
|---|---|---|
| 10×20 | Up to about 19 ft | Up to about 8 ft |
| 10×25 | Up to about 24 ft | Up to about 8 ft |
| 10×30 | Up to about 29 ft | Up to about 8 ft |
| 12×25 | Up to about 24 ft | Up to about 10 ft |
| 12×30 | Up to about 29 ft | Up to about 10 ft |
| 12×35 | Up to about 34 ft | Up to about 10 ft |
| 12×40+ | 35 ft and longer | Up to about 10 ft |
Spot sizes offered vary by location. The estimator above checks your exact vehicle against every size, including a tightest-fit option if you're right on the line.
What You Need to Rent Vehicle Storage
Renting is done online, with no office visit. Have these ready before you start:
- Proof of current registration for the vehicle, boat, or trailer you're storing.
- Proof of insurance for the same vehicle.
- An operable motorhome. Motorized RVs must run and drive. Towables like travel trailers and boat trailers don't need to be operable.
- A protection plan, which is required at checkout at every location.
Every rental is month-to-month, and nearly all locations offer 24/7 gate access. Ask about special deals on available units when you rent.
Ready to find vehicle storage?
10 Federal Storage offers motorcycle, car, truck, boat, and RV storage with month-to-month leases and no long-term commitment.