Forum Discussion

PNWtruckCamper's avatar
PNWtruckCamper
Explorer II
Mar 29, 2024

Mold on dinette frame under cushions

We recently purchased a new-to-us 2020 Adventurer 89RB, used all of 6 times by the original owner. While looking in all the nooks and crannies to get to know our new truck camper, we discovered surface mold on the wooden seat base under the cushion of the left-hand dinette, along the outside wall and a little into the corner by the fridge. Unscrewing the panel uncovered mold along the top and bottom of the wood frame structure that the wooden seat base sits on, in the same areas (along the outside wall and onto the fridge wall). The cavity underneath that dinette seat holds the hot water heater and a duct from the fridge. Close inspection shows no watermarks on the window or wall above that area, nor signs of drips or pooling underneath or around the water heater. 

Could it be that the water heater itself is a source of condensation in that area? 

Has anyone else had mold in that area and know what caused it? 

The goal is to address whatever the source of it is and prevent it from recurring in the future...

  • I believe that having so much mold after only being used six times isn't likely due to camper usage. It seems more probable that water seeped in from outside.

    Water usually doesn't cause mold unless it stays for a long time or gets repeatedly wet. Even if it was condensation from the heater, which I've never seen, it doesn't add up, especially considering the limited usage by the original owner.

    I suspect water might have entered through a window, running behind the walls or elsewhere without leaving visible marks. Water needs to come into contact with wood multiple times or soak in to leave a visible mark.

    Again based on my experience, I find it hard to believe that such mold would result from only six uses of the vehicle.

    Second thoughts -
    COULD it be from the original owner leaving something wet in there (folding kayak, skis, etc)  OR leaving a window open and water getting in that way, or is a cap missing on the roof for the fridge???

     

     

    • Grit_dog's avatar
      Grit_dog
      Navigator

      There could be a localized source of additional moisture/humidity, but just as likely simply my previous reply. 
      kill the mold and leave that seat/panel open when in storage. (and keep some active ventilation going in it during the wet season)

      If you’re storing it outside in the wet season,  a breathable cover will do wonders. 
      May not eliminate the need 100% to keep the air moving in it, but stored a RV outdoors here and in SE AK too for a few years and the cover kept all condensation and moisture away. Never had to run fans if they had breathable covers on them. 

    • MORSNOW's avatar
      MORSNOW
      Navigator II

      Looks to be moisture from above to me.  The water heater is a sealed and insulated unit that looks dry and mold free on its bottom area, that we can see anyway.  Water can and will enter at any exterior penetration like marker lights, vents, windows, etc. and also can travel along framing members until able to run downwards.  I'd start by cleaning and resealing every exterior penetration.  

      • StirCrazy's avatar
        StirCrazy
        Moderator

        the only issue I see with "from above" is the mold stops at the hight of the seat cushions.  it makes me think there was some sort of high humidity/storage type thing going on..  or direct moisture under the seat.  but ya it could have been leaking down the inside of the wall and just coming out at the bottom. 

  • is the area vented?  warm humid and no ventalation is a recipie for mold.  if you can find a way to add a couple vents to the area so there will be some air movment that should reduce the issue.  

    • Photomike's avatar
      Photomike
      Explorer III

      In a new unit, used only six times, there has to be a source of moisture/water. The water heater is a sealed unit.  There should be zero moisture being introduced to that are to cause the need for ventilation.  If there is moisture in there it is better to eliminate the cause then to vent.

      • nickthehunter's avatar
        nickthehunter
        Nomad II

        In an RV in the PNW used only 6 times in 3 years the source of the moisture is the high humidity typical of the PNW. The unit likely suffers from the lack of being opened up regularly to dry out - hence, it molds.

    • PNWtruckCamper's avatar
      PNWtruckCamper
      Explorer II

      Not really at all, no. And the previous owner stored the unit was stored with all doors shut, so the one hole in the under-bench storage cubby that gives access to the hot water heater was closed in quite tightly.

      We plan to cut holes in the top panel to better ventilate going forward.

  • When I look at your photos, it helps to narrow down the possible issues. Based on what I see, it looks like picture number one reveals what was under the seat cushions, and picture number two shows mold on both sides of your hot water tank enclosure. BUT it also seems like there's mold higher up.

    If that mold is indeed higher and your hot water tank was sealed in with the plywood AND cushions, I suspect water came from above. Is there any way to use a camera or cell phone to see what's behind that wall board?

    If the mold was just under the seat, it could suggest a leak in one of the lines to the hot water tank, spraying water around. But if there's no mold on the floor under the seat or signs of water, like disturbed dust with a trail, and the mold is higher up, it likely came from above. This would prompt me to inspect the roof for any damage or missing parts, like a cap for a fridge vent.

  • What do the tips of the screws look like? Less rust, more rust, or about the same as the area near the head? If there is less rust towards the tip, that may indicate that the wall itself is dry and the source of the moisture is somewhere in the camper interior.

    Of course that only works if the screws are threaded into wood. But I believe there is still a lot of structural wood in the newer Adventurer campers.

    • joerg68's avatar
      joerg68
      Nomad III

      Suggestion, if you have not been able to localize a leak or additional damage:

      Clean the affected areas. Remove mold as good as you can. Let it dry, then treat with an anti-mold agent.

      Replace rusted screws with identical new ones.  Personally, I do not use stainless - the rusted screws can be a good indicator for moisture where it is not supposed to be, like in your case.

      Use the camper and monitor for re-occurrence.