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Deb_and_Ed_M's avatar
Deb_and_Ed_M
Explorer II
Sep 07, 2015

Preventing condensation?

Granted, since we've arrived in the pacific Northwest, it has been rainy and wet every day; and cold at night. Knowing that condensation would be a problem with 2 humans and 2 dogs all sharing one small camper, I always leave a window and the vent cracked open.

But it RAINED (inside) on us one night when Ed bumped the overhead vent shut and I didn't know it. All we had open was the little window under the cabover - cracked open about 2". Clearly, it wasn't enough because every metal surface was dripping by the morning; the vinyl popup portion was damp; and there was water dripping from the overhead vent frame (I'm assuming from the metal vent casing?). I use an electric heater, so it doesn't add to the problem. (We don't have an A/C, although Ed would think I was insane to want it running with night temps in the 40's)

How much fresh air do you folks add to prevent condensation??

11 Replies

  • You should open the vents at least an inch and run a quiet fan to circulate air within the camper. The kind of condensation you are describing causes mold to form quickly. The NW has mold spores in the air just waiting to grow.

    Get an electric blanket and put it UNDER you... on top of the mattress. Then place several layers of blankets on top of that... turn your electric blanket on and it will heat the mattress and the blankets. You will barely need any other heat in the truck camper. Turn off the electric blanket when you go to bed. There will be plenty of heat just from the mattress to keep you warm. The windows should be cracked in the sleeping area unless it is raining so badly that rain comes in.

    If you have condensation on the windows ... doing this routine...
    1. you need more air circulation... Get an air purifier/air cleaner.
    2. run the furnace to dry out the camper in the morning while you shower
    3. run your vents while you shower - get that humidity out of the camper.
    4. get faster drying towels.
    5. be sure to run the fan in the vents when you cook
    6. Get rubber backed curtains on the windows