Nervous about condensation in your campervan, motorhome, caravan or RV? You’re in the correct place- we’ve received all the perfect suggestions and methods to cut back your vanlife damp woes.
Don’t neglect to seize your FREE motorhome winter guidelines beneath that can assist you bear in mind every part.
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Condensation in Campervans & Motorhomes- The Downside
I really like highway tripping out of season. Campsites are quieter, the roads are much less busy and you’ll go to some AMAZING locations with out queuing for hours.
HOWEVER- cooler climate brings one actually annoying companion… condensation.
Whether or not you’re in a motorhome, campervan, caravan, RV or boat- it is advisable to discover methods to cease or cut back condensation or damp. In any other case, out-of-season touring goes to grow to be fairly depressing.
(Alternatively, simply run away someplace heat, like these 7 warmest locations in Spain in winter!)
I lived on boats for 14 years earlier than we received a motorhome, so have been doing battle towards condensation for a REALLY very long time. On the plus facet, I’ve grow to be actually good at managing/ stopping that annoying moisture throughout your home windows, particularly within the morning, to not point out the damp in your cabinets.
Whether or not you’re new to motorhomes and campervans or been doing it for some time, listed here are 15 of the perfect tricks to cease condensation in your motorhome or camper, which we hope will show you how to get pleasure from journeys in your van all 12 months spherical.
Shutting down your motorhome/ camper for winter?
Seize your FREE winter shutdown guidelines right here
Condensation in a Motorhome- What Causes It?
Don’t panic- I’m not going to get technical on you.
In (very!) fundamental phrases, condensation is brought on by the amount of water within the air rising (actually because we’ve breathed it out!) This air, now filled with water vapour, touches one thing chilly, like a window.
The air is then cooled down too rapidly and may’t maintain the moisture in it anymore, so the vapour turns to liquid on the chilly floor it’s touching.
You’ll discover the most condensation within the coldest a part of your van, which for us is the entrance cab home windows as we don’t actually warmth that.
So, there are two essential methods to eliminate campervan condensation (or no less than cut back it!).
First is to cut back the quantity of water vapour within the air. Second is to cease that air getting chilly. Simples.
Tricks to Cut back Damp and Condensation in your RV, Motorhome & Caravan
The next suggestions will show you how to both cease condensation and damp utterly, or offer you methods to cut back and cope with it if it does happen. Not all suggestions will work for each motorhome or campervan- give all of them a try to see what works for you.
1- Hold your motorhome heat
That is my most popular resolution to cease condensation in my motorhome and it really works, though it is going to improve your prices.
Heating your motorhome or campervan and conserving your area at a cushty temperature stops the air cooling down sufficient to trigger condensation. I ought to level out that when it will get REALLY chilly outdoors, this now not works so properly. 🙁
You need to use an oil stuffed radiator in case your van is plugged into mains power- these work rather well and are secure to go away on for lengthy intervals, though it’s possible you’ll want to put it on a timer to cut back prices.
2- Open a window
A easy resolution, particularly in the event you’re residing in your motorhome, however not all the time enjoyable if it’s freezing/ raining!
Getting some recent air into your motorhome permits air with much less water vapour to enter, lowering the humidity and due to this fact lowering the extent of condensation which may happen. Simply be sure you decide your moments.
There’s no set rule on how lengthy you need to have it open for- clearly the longer the higher! We all the time open a window or a vent every time we’re cooking.
I do know, this appears to contradict level one, however heating from cooking usually entails steam, which accommodates… you guessed it = moisture! That’s why one thing like a low-wattage sluggish cooker or an air fryer is a good suggestion 🙂
For a similar causes as above, when you’ve got an extractor fitted both in your toilet or kitchen, use it to clean up the air, particularly after a bathe/ whereas cooking.
Showers are the hardest- a lot scorching, moist air which must go someplace.
I depart our vents open for a few hours after a bathe and maintain the lavatory door shut as a lot as doable in order that air doesn’t get out into the remainder of the Motorhome.
4- Get a Handheld Window Vacuum cleaner
These items are GENIUS! Battery operated, simple to scrub and work rather well to take away condensation for home windows in simply a few minutes!
I had by no means heard of them earlier than we received a Motorhome- now I’m undecided how we ever lived with out one!
A window vac positively one of many best methods to take away condensation from Motorhome, RV, Boat or camper home windows.
My favorite model is Karcher, however there are different sorts on the market- verify them out right here (UK)
5- Use Campsite amenities if out there.
I really like wild tenting in our motorhome. I. LOVE. It. Just about another web page on this web site will inform you why wild tenting is preferable to campsites for me.
BUT, in winter, we use campsites much more.
I additionally use their amenities extra, each for showers and for laundry/ drying garments. (See beneath.)
6- Don’t grasp up moist garments/ towels to dry
A technique I avoid wasting cash throughout summer season is use a laundrette to clean my garments, then grasp them up within the toilet to dry in a single day. It really works nice.
However don’t do that in winter in the event you can keep away from it.
All that additional moisture within the air will trigger havoc to your condensation ranges.
7- Can you utilize a dehumidifier in a motorhome or campervan?
I don’t use plug-in dehumidifier’s on the motorhome, I exploit stand-alone, disposable packets, like they’ve labored very properly. I even have hanging ones, to cut back moisture within the wardrobe.
In case you are in search of a dehumidifier, I’ll share a number of the finest ones beneath.
NOTE- a dehumidifier will NOT take away mildew. As soon as that has began, every part wants a radical cleansing with disinfectant, after which all of it must be dried totally and left with enough airflow.
8- Create airflow round your camper
One factor I sometimes endure from when residing on the boat is mildew/ mould- brought on by not permitting sufficient airflow into our cabinets/ drawers/ wardrobes. (Often after it had been vacant for per week or extra.)
For that reason, I usually depart every part open/ ajar when going travelling- it stops the mould. You are able to do one thing comparable on the motorhome- both minimize small holes or match a vent to permit airflow to cabinets which don’t have already got them.
Or don’t put garments in cabinets which don’t have airflow into them. Having mentioned that, mildew additionally impacts paperwork and books, so watch out what you allow onboard while you’re not utilizing your van.
9- Keep in mind cushions and seats want love too!
You want airflow round your cushions and seats- so make sure that to drag them out a little bit so that you simply don’t come again to seats lined in horrible inexperienced spots- which is damp/ mildew.
I usually take away our cushions if we’re not utilizing the motorhome for some time.
10- Put a protector over your home windows
There are a number of methods to do that, and it really works precisely like double-glazing; you have got a buffer between the chilly floor and the nice and cozy air contained in the motorhome. I attempted it when residing on a ship and it labored…okay.
However it appears to work significantly better on the motorhome. Our coldest half is our cab, so silver or thermal screens on the outside cut back the issue. It doesn’t cease it utterly, but it surely does cut back it.
You may also get enjoyable ones with eyes right here.
NOTE- the pull-over fitted screens contained in the cab are nice for privateness, however don’t cease condensation because the air simply circulates round them.
11- Hold issues clear and dry
Whether or not you’re utilizing your motorhome all through winter or not, conserving your cabinets clear will certainly assist to cut back damp. Damp is brought on by condensation (or different moisture) sitting unchecked for too lengthy.
It might trigger severe issues for each the car and your well being. You possibly can cut back the probabilities of damp/ mildew by rising airflow, cleansing out cabinets and drying them totally after cleansing. Your campervan storage will get simpler too.
Do NOT put something into your cabinets/ wardrobe which is damp. This consists of coats and footwear. Should you’re packing a motorhome, attempt to not put something damp again into the cabinets.
12- Test for leaks in your campervan
It’s in all probability frequent sense, but when your van is leaking, you’re going to get extra moisture into your area. Moisture= condensation when it’s warmed up, so make sure that there are not any leaks.
I carry a tube of silicone with us- simply in case!
Widespread locations which leak are across the motorhome television aerial, the van wifi antenna or something you’ve drilled, like a photo voltaic panel or awning.
Can You Use an Electrical Dehumidifier in a Motorhome?
For some motive, individuals appear frightened about utilizing an electrical dehumidifier in a motorhome. It’s completely secure, so long as you comply with the producer’s directions and bear in mind to empty it recurrently.
Personally, I wouldn’t depart an electrical dehumidifier switched on within the motorhome for a protracted time period (whereas on a driveway for instance), particularly if I wasn’t there to keep watch over it. Nevertheless, it’s definitely not an issue in a single day whilst you’re there.
You possibly can add it to your Christmas checklist, together with these different good motorhome presents!
Professional’s of utilizing an electrical dehumidifier in a motorhome
- Secure round pets! It is a large one for us- disposable dehumidifiers are dangerous to animals if ingested.
- Simple and environment friendly to make use of
- You don’t want to fret about shopping for replacements
- In all probability kinder to the setting, as there may be much less plastic wastage.
Cons of utilizing an electrical dehumidifier in a motorhome
- You want 12v or mains energy & one thing dependable to plug it into.
- It’s essential to bear in mind to empty it.
- It takes up area.
There are many dehumidifiers available on the market. Make SURE the one you might be ordering has an computerized shut off when it will get full and a plug acceptable to your nation (you’d be amazed what number of don’t include a plug!)
See my suggestions beneath.
What’s the BEST 12v Dehumidifer for a Motorhome or Campervan?
I’ll be trustworthy (as all the time!) and inform you that we’ve REALLY struggled to discover a dependable 12v dehumidifier for my motorhome. I’ve tried a number of models- and so they’ve all both failed inside a couple of days or not made any distinction in anyway.
That’s why I choose containers or sachets like these.
Nevertheless, I’m actually happy with the electrical dehumidifier that we used use on the boat. They work nice within the motorhome too, however clearly, you want mains to run them on.
RANDOM Bonus Tip to Cease Condensation in your Motorhome!
Okay- full disclosure- I haven’t tried this however I believed I’d share it in case it helped anybody out.
APPARENTLY, in the event you put a very skinny coating of washing up liquid over the within of your home windows/ windscreen, it stops condensation.
My guess is the washing up liquid creates a barrier between the chilly glass and heat air= lowered condensation! It sounds a bit odd to me- certainly the washing up liquid smears and obstructs your imaginative and prescient?? And cleansing it off have to be a ache.
Should you’ve tried it, let me know if it really works!!
So there you go, the perfect suggestions that can assist you cease condensation and damp in your motorhome or camper. I hope they show you how to get pleasure from journeys in your van all 12 months lengthy.
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