Inside of TT covered in mildew

[campntime]

We have a 2011 Jayco Jayfeather EXP 26P. Had a planned camping trip this weekend and the state park we were staying we about 30min from where we had the TT stored so we packed up truck and headed to get the TT and hookup and straight to the campsite. By the time we got there it was dinner time so we parked camper and head to town for dinner and supplies. It was 9pm when we got back and prior to that I did not really spend any time in camper other than to walk in and out to get something really quick. Anyway we get back and walk inside and me and he DW notice mildew EVERYWHERE. It is on the cabinets parts of the wall and on the bunk mattress and dinette seats, couch, a wooden bowl on the table, hats, everything... We just stared in disbelief. Luckily we were only camping an hour + from home and decided it was not worth staying in the camper and possibly getting sick so we packed up and went home. We will start the cleaning process today and will most likely toss a lot of things but wanted to see if anyone has run into this before and any suggestions in cleaning and sanitizing the TT and what could have caused this to try and prevent it in the future. The TT is only 2 -3 years old and we got it new and have never seen anything like this with our last TT or this one. We are in the Atlanta area and has been a wet spring/summer and the only thing I can think is that upon storing it after last use 2 months ago I left the bathroom vent open and maybe the moist air got in through there and couldn’t escape. It is stored under a pole barn and there are no leaks. If the bathroom vent was the problem I don’t get how the bathroom as little to no mildew in there but the rest of the TT is covered.

[snowshoe]

Along with the above suggestions, we use Damp Rid gallon buckets year round to keep the humidity down. Walmart carries these for ten dollars a bucket.

[CincyGus]

You don't say if there is electric available at the pole barn but if there is, plug in your camper to keep the battery charge and turn on the bathroom vent fan and crack a window on the opposite. End of the trailer. Will force air through the camper.

If not, just cracking each of the windows and opening the roof vents after covering with max air vents should provide pllenty of equalization of the moisture with outside air.

Good luck and sorry your going through this. Has to be disappointing.

[I_am_still_wayn]

Since it was parked under cover, that eliminates an undiscovered leak. I live about 30 miles North of you and know well the humidity levels we are experiencing. After the clean up, you should open the roof vents all the way. Installing Max Air covers would eliminate any chance of blowing rain entering. Next you should open every window just a little to allow air to enter and then exit the RV. I have done this for years in 4 different RV's in this climate without any problems.

[the_bear_II]

Based on the bathroom having little mold compared to the rest of the TT, it sounds like a ventilation problem like others have indicated. The bathroom vent opened prevented mold build up in the bathroom.

[Bucky_Badger]

Do you keep any vents open for airflow?

[eabc5454]

I'm sorry to hear about your mold issue. Bleach works for mold removal if applied properly, but likely would cause considerable damage. Try Microban. A gallon will cost less that $35. It's used by hospitals and other environments for mold and odor control, and is safe for many surfaces that would be damaged by bleach.

I have used dessicant canisters before, and use several during winter storage. In addition to using fans as recommended above, I would use dessicants or a dehumidifier for a while.

[BurbMan]

If you don't have them, get some of the MaxxAir vent covers for the ceiling vents. I leave the LR and bath vents open, having two open allows natural airflow by convection and you don't have to worry about rain, etc.

[RoyB]

I'm guessing that having some air move around might reduce this in the future...

We are fortunate here where we live to keep our trailers at home when not in use. We camp in our two trailers all the time... Great get-away sometimes...

Roy Ken

[DougE]

The problem may be that the new trailer has less infiltration than the old unit. You need to provide adequate ventilation while stored. Crack open several windows and ceiling vents and the problem should go away. Last resort is to put a bucket of desiccant in there to keep the humidity low.