Argh - not a happy camper!I dragged my TT out of storage for the first time this year to go camping for the Victoria Day long weekend. I hooked up, did a cursory check inside, closed the fridge, things like that and got home to load for the weekend. It was then that I looked at the ceiling and saw mold and mildew all over the place. Further examination revealed the same disgusting mess everywhere, in my tub, toilet, kitchen counter, walls - you name it. Ugh! simply Ugh! I was so disgusted with it all. I keep the TT stocked with a large amount of extra bedding, blankets, towels, clothing, undies etc. etc. When I park the thing I strip the bed and put the bedding on the sofa and stand the mattress on edge so it can air out. Well, the bedding on the sofa was moldy. My pillows have to go straight to the garbage - they are covered in huge mold stains. I opened the wardrobes and everything stunk and much of it had mold on it. Geeeeeez - not impressed, and I only had a few hours to get ready to leave. So I closed the wardrobes, laundered the bedding and towel I was going to use, did a quick cleanup and left. All weekend, nice and warm out and the place stinks.I got home and pulled EVERYTHING out, 3 huge garbage bags full and I'm still in the process of bleaching and laundering it all. What a task!OK, I'm done whining......What do you guys do with your RV's when stored for months over a very wet rainy winter to prevent this stinky moldy situation?I always make a point of storing it with the 3 roof vents open about halfway for the winter. They have covers and it rains a LOT here in the winter.But I think I may have left them closed for 2 or 3 months and opened them on one of my monthly checkups of the rig. Don't remember for sure - CRS strikes again!I have heard of some device you put in the unit that attracts moisture and drains it to a pan or bucket.It can't be just me!

Since mine is at home I run a dehumififier all winter

Been using multiple of those giant DampRid buckets that are ready to go, simply remove the lid and leave in place. If power is available, there's a little marine air dryer unit you can get that basically is a small heating element and a blower, ya basically stick it in your sink and leave it running.

I live in the same climate you do, O.P., but I'm lucky enough to have the old time jalousie windows that shed rain on all four sides of my trailer. I leave each one "cracked" a bit all winter long, and never have mold problems. It's been my hard-won experience that roof venting isn't enough- one needs crosscurrents.If your rig is parked undercover you could do the same thing with sliders, that is of course assuming you're not worried about security. But even then, the ol' stick-in-the-track would work to prevent anyone from opening the window farther than the inch or so you've left for ventilation.

I've read on hear of many people putting a tub or two of Damp Rid Link With these tubs the water collects in the tub and you have to pour it out from time to time.If you are looking for something with a drain hose you would probably be thinking dehumidifier and those require 120v power. Although you might be able to figure out how to rig up a drain hose from a tub of damp rid. Are you sure though that you don't have a leak that is causing all this mold?

Gosh, that's not good....:(I stick one of these in during storage (rainy Northwest). After a couple of weeks the catch pan is always full of water.Walmart. Dri-z-air LINK

Moldy interior of TT - disgusting! | Good Sam Community

27 Replies

BuckBarker
Explorer
May 23, 2013
Either open the roof vents that are covered with Max Airs or run a dehumidifier. Being it's stored away from home I guess you are stuck with the first option.
BobsYourUncle
Nomad
May 23, 2013
The TT is stored in the open on a large property.
There is no power available so plugging something in is not an option.

Yes, it does have a leak and the back end is badly rotten in the floor, however, it has been like that for a very long time and I have never had an issue before. I know it is damp inside. In previous years, it only smelled a little damp in the spring when I first used it but everything was as clean as the day I parked it. I would crank up the heat with a few openings cracked and all was well.

Although I leave the roof vents open, I never thought of cracking a window. I have the jalousie windows so can do that without too much risk of water entry.

Security is not an issue - I could probably leave it unlocked and wouldn't have a problem.

Due to the rot, I am actively looking for an affordable replacement but until that time I have to use it like it is.

Thanks for the suggestion about the Damp Rid and Dri-Z-Air. I will check it out for sure.
downtheroad
Explorer
May 23, 2013
Gosh, that's not good....:(

I stick one of these in during storage (rainy Northwest). After a couple of weeks the catch pan is always full of water.
Walmart.

Dri-z-air LINK
opnspaces
Navigator II
May 23, 2013
I've read on hear of many people putting a tub or two of Damp Rid Link With these tubs the water collects in the tub and you have to pour it out from time to time.

If you are looking for something with a drain hose you would probably be thinking dehumidifier and those require 120v power. Although you might be able to figure out how to rig up a drain hose from a tub of damp rid.

Are you sure though that you don't have a leak that is causing all this mold?
Francesca_Knowl
Explorer
May 23, 2013
I live in the same climate you do, O.P., but I'm lucky enough to have the old time jalousie windows that shed rain on all four sides of my trailer. I leave each one "cracked" a bit all winter long, and never have mold problems. It's been my hard-won experience that roof venting isn't enough- one needs crosscurrents.

If your rig is parked undercover you could do the same thing with sliders, that is of course assuming you're not worried about security. But even then, the ol' stick-in-the-track would work to prevent anyone from opening the window farther than the inch or so you've left for ventilation.
JoeChiOhki
Explorer II
May 23, 2013
Been using multiple of those giant DampRid buckets that are ready to go, simply remove the lid and leave in place.

If power is available, there's a little marine air dryer unit you can get that basically is a small heating element and a blower, ya basically stick it in your sink and leave it running.
donn0128
Explorer II
May 23, 2013
Since mine is at home I run a dehumififier all winter

Forum Discussion

Moldy interior of TT - disgusting!

27 Replies

About RV Tips & Tricks

Related Content

I have a disgusting problem… HELP!!!

Amazed and Disgusted

Moldy roof

Interior lights

Moldy clothes smell