We went camping last weekend and the temperature dropped below freezing which wasn't a problem for the furnace or us. However, upon opening a couple of the overhead cabinets and the walk in closet we found some sweating along the top edge of the walls. Has anyone had this issue, and if so, what did you do? I figure we just need to leave the doors open on the overheads and the closet, but thought maybe there was something else we needed to do. Haven't RV camped in cold weather before, but will be traveling to the mountains in the near future so need some advice. New 2014 Rockwood Windjammer.

Good question and I look forward to the opinions offered. I make sure that cooking and showering moisture is vented to the outside and that the remainder of the trailer remains above the dew point at as much as possible.

More ventilation. We have had that problem in the closet and where the bed mattress was against the wall. It would be colder in those areas and condense. We opened the fantastic vent just a little more. It loses more heat but that's just the price we pay to get rid of moisture.

It's just a by product of breathing - so maybe it's a good sign!If the condensation stops, check your pulse.

warm air hits cold surface. It means there is not enough insulation for the temps you were in. Warm air got there and moisture condensed, but couldn't heat the surface enough to stop further condensation.You have a fraction of an inch of air that is part way between exterior temps, and interior temps. This is where your sweating is occurring. Either reduce airflow to the area, and move the problem to the closet doors, or increase airflow and attempt to prevent it from happening in the first place.

Very common in cold weather camping. All that moisture is coming from your breathing, cooking, and coffee making. Takes a bit more propane for heat, but you can leave a window or roof vent open just a crack.Leave cabinet doors open and pull things away from the walls to let air circulate. If this is going to be a frequent thing, maybe a dehumidifier would be in order. I have a small dehumidifier that fits on the counter. It has a shutoff when tank gets full. I modified the tank, with a hose to drain into the sink. I still need the open doors and such.

Cold weather camping and sweating in closet | Good Sam Community

TomG2
Explorer
Jan 27, 2015
Given the porosity of a typical trailer, I wonder if a humidifier would be able to reduce the moisture much? The other suggestions will help.
Huntindog
Explorer
Jan 27, 2015
TomG2 wrote:
Given the porosity of a typical trailer, I wonder if a humidifier would be able to red uce the moisture much? The other suggestions will help.
Not on a stick and tin TT... But on a fiberglass,,,, yes and a lot. I have a meter that measure humidity, and can see the difference. That is a good thing as the stick and tin TTs don't have potential for delamination.

Wiping down the windows is NOT a solution. The same condensation is happening inside the walls... Given enough time, delamination WILL result.
pbohart
Explorer
Feb 07, 2015
I camp up in the Oregon mountains all winter. Temps drop into the 20s and 30s, but even in the 40s or 50s you need help with condensation.

Most people at the park I stay at use a dehumidifier. I bought mine at Home Depot for $150ish. I run the thing all day and all night.

I pull about 2-3 gallons of water out of the air over a typical weekend. That is moisture that would cause mold or rot.

If you are going to camp in the winter or colder months, you are going to need one.

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Cold weather camping and sweating in closet

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