Cold weather camping and sweating in closet

[D_B_Travelers]

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.

[pbohart]

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.

[Huntindog]

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.

[TomG2]

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.

[D_B_Travelers]

All of these responses are appreciated. Of course we didn't have the vents open...it was cold outside! LOL! I see the point on the vents and will make sure they are open slightly in the future. Also good point to watch for window condensation as a first warning. Any type of dehumidifier you guys recommend? We plan on camping in the mountains quite a lot, so I needed to be up to speed on how to keep this from being an issue down the road. I will pick up some of the jars of dehumidifier to put into the closet also just to be safe.

Oh, and ScottG, thanks for the tip on checking my pulse! Funny!

[Halmfamily]

We leave our bathroom and kitchen vents open around two inches and this helps tremendously. We took four days this past weekend and had little issues with condensation. In the morning I wipe the window sills down if needed. Make sure the bathroom fan is being used as well as the vent over the stove while doing any cooking or baking.

[lushy]

Adding to all of the good info already mentioned, we also run a small fan or two to aid in the movement of air. On real cold days, the bunkhouse, with three exterior walls and up to three breathing teens :Z, would form some condensation on the upper corners of the walls. A small fan made a big difference and eliminated most of the condensation. The fan also creates some "white noise" inside the TT.

[Huntindog]

This is a danger sign. Condensation will cause delamination. As has been mentioned: Venting or a dehumidifier can help a lot. Running the heat at a cooler setting will as well.

I use a dehumidifier. It pulls an incredible amount of water out of the air. All that water would be on my walls and windows with out it... BTW, sweating shows up first on the windows, when you see that, take some action NOW!!. Cracking the closet doors is a good thing, no matter which method you use to control the condensation. But be sure to DO SOMETHING. My Forest River manual has warnings about this subject, I am sure others do as well.

[LynnandCarol]

We have a small dehumidifier and use damp rid. (sold at walmart) in closed spaces. We also have a couple of small fans for really problem areas. The longer it is cold the more moisture builds up. Stay on top of it or it will mold.

[handye9]

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.

[christopherglen]

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.

[ScottG]

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

[azrving]

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.

[TomG2]

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.