How to Inventory Your Camper Before Storage (Fast, Simple, Free)

Five months is a long time to remember what’s in every cabinet of your camper. If you get the dreaded call from a storage facility in March, your best friend is the photo album you made back in October. Here’s a quick, practical method to document your RV before storage in Michigan or Ohio.

Why bother? Photos create a time‑stamped snapshot of what you had and what condition it was in before storage. If there’s a break‑in, vandalism, water issue, or a mystery in the spring, you won’t rely on memory. You’ll have clear images to guide next steps and conversations with your agent or storage facility.

What to photograph

• Exterior from all four corners, roof if safely accessible, and the VIN/serial number plate

• Interior wide shots of each room/area

• Inside every cabinet, drawer, and storage bin

• Exterior compartments and pass‑throughs

• Any high‑value items you’re leaving (grill, portable generator, tools, electronics)—include serial numbers if possible

• Tires, hitch, seals, and any pre‑existing scrapes/dings

How to organize the photos

• Create a single folder in your cloud storage: “RV Storage – [Year]”

• Subfolders: Exterior, Interior Rooms, Cabinets/Compartments, High‑Value Items, Receipts

• Snap photos in sequence (walk clockwise outside; move front‑to‑back inside) so it’s easy to follow later

• Add quick captions on notable items/areas if your phone allows

What to remove before you lock it up

• Valuables: laptops, tablets, cameras, drones, tools you care about

• Personal data: mail, documents, old hard drives

• Temptations: fishing gear, high‑end coolers, e‑bikes (store batteries per manufacturer guidance)

• Food: all of it—dry goods, spices, and snacks included. It’s rodent bait.

Insurance notes to keep in mind

• If you’re considering storage‑only (comprehensive‑only), confirm what comprehensive covers on your policy and what it excludes. Rodent damage is often excluded.

• If the RV is financed or leased, check lender requirements before changing coverages.

• Share your storage location and setup with your agent—home, relative’s garage, marina, or storage lot.

Quick checklist you can screenshot

• Photograph exterior, VIN, and roof

• Photograph each room, cabinet, and compartment

• Photograph serial numbers and save receipts

• Remove valuables and all food

• Winterize, lock it up, and save photos to the cloud

• If switching to storage‑only, set a spring reminder to restore on‑road coverages before you move the RV

Bottom line A 15‑minute photo session now can save hours of frustration later. If you want a quick pre‑storage insurance check for Michigan or Ohio, we’re happy to walk through it with you.