Outback 250rs Rear Slid Condensation Issues
when camping in colder weather wifey likes her heat, she also does a lot of cooking on the stove and uses the oven occasionally. We experience a lot of condensation on the windows to the point the sil...
Forum Discussion
Well, ChooChooMan beat me to it....this could be posted on the hybrid side of RVNet except that it's not a true hybrid, it's an expandable with some of the same issues.
Forget boiling water inside later in the day. Air circulation is absolutely crucial and if you need to add a portable fan, so be it. Opening a window a bit has always been one of the suggestions for hybrids, but DH had no thought of letting that happen when he was trying to get warm, not let cold air in. Something to think about, though.
The problem comes with the fact that the bed area is just sort of hanging out there and not sealed in the main part of the trailer...the temp difference causes condensation and there ya go.
One thing we did with our hybrid and while it was not a 100% fix, it did help keep the mattress bottom dry - if you haven't checked yours you need to do so as it's likely damp - is to add a product called HyperVent, I think. It's used in boating applications a lot so if I'm wrong about the name, you should be able to find it. It lifts the mattress off the deck about an inch and allows a bit of air flow. It's not inexpensive....we bought it in '07 and for the queen size bed was about $106, so I'm sure it's higher now. Again, it is not a complete fix, but does lift the mattress above the bottom moisture.
Our ROO had heated mattresses, which were wonderfully warm, but added to the temp difference. You could try a heated mattress pad or electric blanket for your DW, but the difference is still there.
I have seen folks attach a heavy vinyl fabric along the edge of the slide and drops to the ground level, keeping out some of the cold in that area. Do not know how successful it was, but maybe worth a try.
So the main things are no cooking on the stovetop with water based items in the evening, turn on the vent fan for as long as possible and with a window just slightly cracked, do your best to keep the mattress bottom dry and check it every morning - just wiping the deck dry with a towel will take care of the moisture on the deck, but we had some times before the HyperVent when we set a few cans of food under the mattress to allow it to dry out.
One other suggestion that's similar to the Pop Up Gizmos we used with the hybrid is to make a stop at HD or Lowe's and check into a sheet of reflectix that could be temporarily attached to the top of the slide to insulate a bit more. The PUGS are made from a similar product and work wonders. Doubt that you should try to close up the slide with it attached, but maybe you could come up with a way to fold it or roll it up for storage.
I doubt that you're doing permanent damage to the trailer, but until you have this under more control, suggest you wipe down the walls and windows in that area daily. FWIW, I have heard that many folks with 5ers have this problem if there is not enough space between the bed and the floor - again, temp difference. Good luck.
Forget boiling water inside later in the day. Air circulation is absolutely crucial and if you need to add a portable fan, so be it. Opening a window a bit has always been one of the suggestions for hybrids, but DH had no thought of letting that happen when he was trying to get warm, not let cold air in. Something to think about, though.
The problem comes with the fact that the bed area is just sort of hanging out there and not sealed in the main part of the trailer...the temp difference causes condensation and there ya go.
One thing we did with our hybrid and while it was not a 100% fix, it did help keep the mattress bottom dry - if you haven't checked yours you need to do so as it's likely damp - is to add a product called HyperVent, I think. It's used in boating applications a lot so if I'm wrong about the name, you should be able to find it. It lifts the mattress off the deck about an inch and allows a bit of air flow. It's not inexpensive....we bought it in '07 and for the queen size bed was about $106, so I'm sure it's higher now. Again, it is not a complete fix, but does lift the mattress above the bottom moisture.
Our ROO had heated mattresses, which were wonderfully warm, but added to the temp difference. You could try a heated mattress pad or electric blanket for your DW, but the difference is still there.
I have seen folks attach a heavy vinyl fabric along the edge of the slide and drops to the ground level, keeping out some of the cold in that area. Do not know how successful it was, but maybe worth a try.
So the main things are no cooking on the stovetop with water based items in the evening, turn on the vent fan for as long as possible and with a window just slightly cracked, do your best to keep the mattress bottom dry and check it every morning - just wiping the deck dry with a towel will take care of the moisture on the deck, but we had some times before the HyperVent when we set a few cans of food under the mattress to allow it to dry out.
One other suggestion that's similar to the Pop Up Gizmos we used with the hybrid is to make a stop at HD or Lowe's and check into a sheet of reflectix that could be temporarily attached to the top of the slide to insulate a bit more. The PUGS are made from a similar product and work wonders. Doubt that you should try to close up the slide with it attached, but maybe you could come up with a way to fold it or roll it up for storage.
I doubt that you're doing permanent damage to the trailer, but until you have this under more control, suggest you wipe down the walls and windows in that area daily. FWIW, I have heard that many folks with 5ers have this problem if there is not enough space between the bed and the floor - again, temp difference. Good luck.
