Joe DownsCEO & Co-Founder, Belrose Storage Group. Founder, Storage Moguls.

10 Vacancies - Self Storage vs Boat & RV (The Math changes Everything)

7 Apr 2026 · 1 min

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A 400-unit self-storage facility loses $1,250 monthly from 10 vacancies (2.5%), while a 100-space boat and RV facility loses $1,750 from the same 10 vacancies (10%). Boat and RV spaces generate higher revenue per unit, so the same vacancy count hits harder on the bottom line and triggers lender stress tests.

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In a 400-unit self-storage facility, 10 vacancies, that's 2.5% of your inventory. At $125 a month per unit, that's $1,250 in monthly revenue. It's real money, but it's cushioned by the remaining 390 units. In a 100-space boat and RV facility, 10 vacancies represents 10% of your inventory. At $175 per space, that's $1,750 a month in revenue loss. And that 10% occupancy hit is a number that shows up clearly in your NOI and your lender's stress test. The boat and RV facility actually generates more revenue per space than a typical self-storage unit.