Community Forums

Souljourner · 10-31-2021, 05:10 PM

The good news - my TT is quite comfortable with overnight temperatures in the mid 30s to lower 40s.

The bad news - I am waking up to lots of condensation on the windows, bad enough that it’s dripping onto the floor.

I know moisture and RVs are a bad combination. Any suggestions how to handle the condensation issue when camping in colder weather?

On a related note - if temperatures go below freezing but the inside of my travel trailer is 60° plus, do I need to worry about my water freezing? If so - what’s the solution?

UTTransplant · 10-31-2021, 05:19 PM

The only way we found to manage condensation in our previous trailers was a combination of venting and insulation. We insulated the area beneath the bed which helped with potential mold growth under the mattress. Then we just left the bathroom vent open.

WNDOPDLR · 10-31-2021, 05:20 PM

Eliminate as much water vapor as you can. When we shower, we run the bath vent fan for a minimum of an hour after we are done. We always use the fan over the cook top, which in our case, vents to the outside. If we see any signs of condensation, I will open the BR vent and sometimes even turn the fan on low speed, even though I am venting air I just paid to heat.

2cyber71 · 10-31-2021, 05:33 PM

The temperature has to go below 32f for more than 4-6 hours for freezing.
I don’t usually winterize until late November so as long as the daytime is above 40f you should be ok. If it’s below 32f for more than 6 hours you need to heat your basement somehow.
I’ve camped in 20f weather in Canada with the Rv heat. Unhook the water lines so they don’t freeze.

A good way to get rid of the condensation is to have a fan run on that window. Also, open a window to let the dry air in so the dew point (humidity) in your RV does down some.

HopsBrewster · 10-31-2021, 07:46 PM

Ventilation. Gotta keep the air flowing through.

Souljourner · 10-31-2021, 08:55 PM

Thanks for those responses. My instinct also was ventilation - but was hesitant to let in the cold air I’m trying to warm! I guess there’s no other alternative since I have to breathe and the windows are cold.

Going away tomorrow for a few nights with overnight temps in the low 30’s. I’m bringing extra blankets and will see what happens if I crack some windows or open the vent overnight.

Wonder if those pots with salt would help? I’ve used them during humid conditions. Not sure if they’d help with condensation due to cold meeting heat?

Old-Biscuit · 10-31-2021, 09:21 PM

Just crack open a roof vent
Or just crack a window open

No Need to open more then a crack

If you plan on numerous winter camping trips....... Dehumidifier

Souljourner · 10-31-2021, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old-Biscuit

Just crack open a roof vent
Or just crack a window open

No Need to open more then a crack

If you plan on numerous winter camping trips....... Dehumidifier

Thanks so much for your suggestion about a dehumidifier. No numerous winter trips - heading south to Georgia next month. Just trying to get in a few more late fall trips before I go! 😊

Persistent · 11-01-2021, 10:03 AM

Good advice above on condensation!

An R-Pod is a different animal than a motor coach. You do have to worry about frozen plumbing.

The R-Pods I looked at do not even have a belly cover. Any plumbing under the floor will freeze quickly even at moderate freezing temperatures. A full fresh tank may take a while, but pipes, pumps, water valves, and dump pipes and valves will freeze is short order.

Warranty specifically excludes freeze damage. Owner's manual will say "winterize when temp is below freezing". There are no exceptions such as "but not when furnace is running". It may be only one sentence somewhere in 30 pages, but it is vitally important.

The solution is to winterize the plumbing and use pit toilets in the campground. Carry fresh water in 5 gallon water cans. Do not use any drains.

I've been there and done that.

I wish you good luck and happy trails ahead!

153stars · 11-01-2021, 11:33 AM

Just some small fans to circulate air "not pointed at you"can make MH more comfortable keep things from sweating as much. Work well when you run ex.fan or have vent open or dehumidifier running moving more air to be dehumidified help pull moisture out of fabrics and carpet.
I like the Honeywell fans they are quite and move a lot of air for the size.

astrnmrtom · 11-01-2021, 12:04 PM

I bought some reflectix and white canvas and sewed up some window inserts. We use them in cold weather. It reduces condensation and acts as a blackout shade. Panels can be stored under the mattress when not needed. Even helps when its hot. We also have a dehumidifier but don't always use it. Slightly cracking a vent helps a little. The smaller the rig, the worse condensation can be.

fagnaml · 11-01-2021, 12:11 PM

Soujourner --

As others have stated, operate your bathroom roof vent during and after showering. Also use your stove vent (presuming is is a "through the wall vent) as the bathing and cooking are the largest sources of moisture inside your TT. When I spent two winters in the Texas Panhandle as a Project Manager for a large capital program, I had moisture accumulate in the TT I had at the time especially when outside temps dropped into the mid-teens. For those days and weeks, I used the large, four pound Damp-Rid bucket that I place in one side of the kitchen sink --> https://www.walmart.com/ip/DampRid-F...7e2cbda93996b0

The damp rid bucket is available at your favorite Walmart, does a good job removing moisture and costs much less than a dehumidifier.

sibe · 11-01-2021, 12:18 PM

always leave a window open/ cracked, use a vented or electric heat, shower venting, fan on stove when cooking, propane stove and cooking adds moist air..

if you have more than 2 people in RV, you get way more moisture,, humans dump alot of h2o,,,

I have done a few 20 degree nites, mid 30 days and sunny, no issues...with my motorhome..

Souljourner · 11-01-2021, 08:20 PM

Thanks for all your suggestions. I’m currently snuggled under a down blanket in my TT, temperature right now is 39 degrees outside, windows cracked (invigorating!), exhaust fan always used when cooking. I do have some water in my tank for this 4 day trip but with temps overnight hovering around 32 and daytime temps in the 60’s I’m keeping my fingers crossed.

For my trip from NY to GA in December when we might run into some really freezing temperatures before hitting warmer weather we’ll run without water and carry some water in the tow vehicle and use rest areas.

For the 7 weeks in NY coming up before going south, would you fully winterize with anti-freeze or will just emptying the tanks be enough?

I’ll be curious to see if cracking windows tonight helps with the condensation overnight. If the problem is no better in the morning I’ll try using some small fans that I have tomorrow night.

Thanks again!