Forum Discussion

brholt's avatar
brholt
Explorer II
Sep 12, 2015

Running a dehumidifier after camping

I've taken to running a dehumidifier after taking a camping trip (camper is plugged into 110 from the garage). Take Labor Day. It was cool and damp most of the weekend and only turned sunny on Monday (figures). We spent a lot of time in the camper because of the weather. On coming home I put in the dehumidifier (50 pint model), set it to 35%, close the drains and vents, open all drawers and cupboards, and run it.

I am constantly amazed at the amount of water it pulls out. Usually I can get a lot of water out in the first few days and then not much thereafter. For example this time the tank, two gallons, was full and the dehumidifier off when I checked on it three nights later.

I'm not sure where all the water is coming from since this may be a large truck camper but it is still pretty small in the scheme of things. I do suspect the mattress and bedding contribute a fair amount of water. I know it's not coming from outside or the storage tanks because after the initial burst the water collection drops off dramatically. Usually after the drop off in collection I turn off the dehumidifier and open up the vents and leave the camper stored that way.

I'm not sure how much good I'm doing but since water is "the enemy" I figure it can't hurt. I'm curious if others do anything similar or have any thoughts.
Truck Campers
  • fcooper's avatar
    fcooper
    Explorer
    Sep 13, 2015
    donn0128 wrote:
    Run it 24/7 when wt home. I run one all winter with a drain hose outside. Amazing how much water drains out.


    x2. In our coastal Georgia humid climate, I have a dehumidifier sitting in the kitchen sink with the hose centered in the drain. The grey tank valve is left open so it can drip into the gravel below.

    If you go out to buy a dehumidifier, most of them today have electronic controls. Not all of them have the auto restart feature if the power fails. It's a desirable feature.

    Fred
  • billyg's avatar
    billyg
    Explorer
    Sep 13, 2015
    Hi we use a domed container with crystals like damprid in our camper and boat year round. Dampness gets in year round but its real bad in the summer. Our camper is in storage without power. The crystals last a good long time in the winter but are gone in no time in the summer. The collection of water actually firms up like ice then thaws when I dump it. Quite amazing. This process keeps us high and dry. Bill :)
  • Vinsil's avatar
    Vinsil
    Explorer
    Sep 13, 2015
    Christl wrote:
    Vinsil wrote:
    Anyone use these? Seems like a good choice when using the camper...


    You have my attention and want to hear more on there use after a camp outing or between camp outings and also during some particular wet weather periods during camping. Do you put them in a plastic bag to preserve them for later use? Cheers Christl


    I haven't used them but ordered one to try out.
  • creeper's avatar
    creeper
    Explorer
    Sep 13, 2015
    Christl wrote:
    . Has anyone run a dehumidifier in areas of the country while there is freezing temperatures? I am assuming these TC's are stored in heated garages? Setting the percent humidity to 35% seems to be on the low side? Is that necessary? Cheers christl


    Humidifiers are useless in freezing temperatures or under 65 degrees for most normal dehumidifiers, if you want to go colder you need a Low temp de-humidifier and then expect to pay mucho $$$$$. Cold weather normally has low humidity anyway.
  • Stars101's avatar
    Stars101
    Explorer
    Sep 13, 2015
    I have the Eva Dry Petite dehumidifier - 16oz. reservoir.

    I have a big house sized one for before/after camping, but I want to experiment with the small one this fall/winter.

    We are planning on numerous fall trips and winter snowboard weekends. I plan on putting the Eva Dry in the shower with all the wet clothes and see if it makes a difference in drying time overnight. Running the Fantastic fan in the shower is great for drying during summer but much too cold in late fall/winter when boondocking.

    I know if we have shore power that it will keep the condensation down overnight in the TC (2 adults, 1 kid, 1 dog).
  • Deb_and_Ed_M's avatar
    Deb_and_Ed_M
    Explorer II
    Sep 13, 2015
    I'm taking notes. I don't even want to think of how much water ours has sucked up in 6400 miles of rain.....
  • coolmom42's avatar
    coolmom42
    Explorer II
    Sep 12, 2015
    2 gallons in 3 days at 35% setting is not really a lot of water. You can get that much in 1 day at 50% in Tennessee in the summer.

    50% is recommended as the optimum for not supporting mold but also being comfortable.
  • brholt's avatar
    brholt
    Explorer II
    Sep 12, 2015
    Christl wrote:
    I had never thought of plugging in a dehumidifier as a precaution. Has anyone run a dehumidifier in areas of the country while there is freezing temperatures? I am assuming these TC's are stored in heated garages? Setting the percent humidity to 35% seems to be on the low side? Is that necessary? Cheers christl


    In winter we get below freezing at times. Coming back from a trip I put a 750 watt oil heater in the camper along with the dehumidifier (which adds heat itself). The camper is outside but the inside stays warm enough for the dehumidifier to work (it also has an "anti-freeze" system.)

    I put it to 35% because I am trying to drive out all the excess water out of the interior. Note that this is for after camping, not while we are using it. After a couple of days when I stop getting much additional water I shut it down.

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