Is there anybody who has a caravan cover noticed water vapour or drips from the ceiling or felt the walls damp.Please if you can, check your van as i have suffered from this, and the cover was i think one of the best.On an other post i did not recomened a cover and it would be interesting to know if youve noticed this.The only thing i can think of is that when the sun comes out it heats the van inside and when it cools causes condistion.this is not good and yes the van was ventilated..
sounds like the cover is too good at what it does by keeping water out.on the other hand it is not providing ANY ventilation to the inside,this is why you have condensation .check all your floor vents are not covered up in any way.
------------- the only silly question is the one you do not ask.
Jeff, as posted by someone else on the other thread, I can only assume your cover isn't breathable.
When I first got my van just over two years ago I noticed that after not being used for a while it did have a tendency to have a slightly damp atmosphere, so I got a couple of those small containers with the crystals in - they were checked regularly and each time they had water in the bottom. I then got a Kampa breathable waterproof cover, which is on all the time the van isn't in use, and it's made such a difference - even with the roof vent constantly open there's no damp atmosphere, no water in the crystal containers, and it's bone dry throughout.
------------- Tigermouse
I have a very temperamental personality - 50% temper and 50% mental
I have to add that I have had this problem and my cover is a 3 or 5 ply Breathable type cover. It only was a problem when the weather warmed up at the beginning of the season this year. Previously I have never used one.
I stepped inside and all the crystals were exhausted, and I had wather dripping down the wooden cabinets. I did not leave the roof lights open though as indicated above but they are MPK ones that have a constant air flow through them.
As soon as I saw this, the cover was off straight away! As the wood was expanding due to the raised humidity in the van.
I have to say I put it down to a warm up in the weather and the moist air not being able to escape fast enough from the Van or cover??
Not sure if I will now bother with a cover this winter, I'm feeling they are more bother than they are worth.
Quote: Originally posted by Chowey007 on 29/9/2010
I have to add that I have had this problem and my cover is a 3 or 5 ply Breathable type cover. It only was a problem when the weather warmed up at the beginning of the season this year. Previously I have never used one.
I stepped inside and all the crystals were exhausted, and I had wather dripping down the wooden cabinets. I did not leave the roof lights open though as indicated above but they are MPK ones that have a constant air flow through them.
As soon as I saw this, the cover was off straight away! As the wood was expanding due to the raised humidity in the van.
I have to say I put it down to a warm up in the weather and the moist air not being able to escape fast enough from the Van or cover??
Not sure if I will now bother with a cover this winter, I'm feeling they are more bother than they are worth.
sounds like the same as i had,the cover was sold as breathable it was exspensive the roof vents were just open,Every winter day is not the same some days you can feel the heat in the sun,some bitter or cold and damp.No more covers for me to much bother to put on and tie down.
Our van condensated at the beginning of the year on cold days, perhaps when you put the covers on your vans it is the only time in the winter when the temperature inside rises enough to cause condensation - in other words you are suffering from a lack of adequate insulation...
------------- Caravanning is a way of getting a cheap holiday out of an expensive hobby
I have to agree with you on that point Jeff Juke. The cover I have is a Maypole one, only purchased it end of last season so not a year old yet. And I only Had it on over the bad winter months.
I still have the box details and it states:
The Material:
Heavy duty 4-ply non-woven polypropylene fabric
UV stable ensuring long product life
Breathable - allows water to evaporate
Superior water resistance up to 1000mm
Soft non abrasive material will not scratch your caravan...
Quote: Originally posted by Rune Caster on 29/9/2010
Our van condensated at the beginning of the year on cold days, perhaps when you put the covers on your vans it is the only time in the winter when the temperature inside rises enough to cause condensation - in other words you are suffering from a lack of adequate insulation...
never heard that before rune a lack of insulation,it was a swift jura i had at the time it will be interesting if anyone with a swift caravan thinks the same..
Quote: Originally posted by michael on 29/9/2010
sounds like the cover is too good at what it does by keeping water out.on the other hand it is not providing ANY ventilation to the inside,this is why you have condensation .check all your floor vents are not covered up in any way.
Michael have a look sorry dont know how to make a link....
Specialized covers...caravan covers..yes van was well ventilated.
still think there is not enough ventilation because you are having condensation so bad inside.the cover is breathable yes but that is only to prevent mould from forming under the cover itself and does not stay wet on the surface of the van.this cannot control the humidity on the inside of the caravan.because we have the van at home i use a dehumidifier during the winter for 6 hours a day.some say i am trying to dehumidify the world but my argument is it has to do the caravan first.sounds like you need dehumidifier .
Well Well Well!!! Just been inside my caravan on drive which has only had its Protec cover on about 2wks and yup theres condensation inside. Its not dripping or anything but I can feel it on the ceiling and its visible on the glass light shades. I think I shall be investing in some heavy duty dehumidifiers, as we wouldn't want to remove the cover due to trees and blossom plus it camouflages the van from the road blending in with the high privet - but can't have that amount of condensation inside.
these could be the answer for you.before we got the electric one i used three large bowls of salt (cheap) placed on the floor.NOT ON THE FURNITURE as the gas given off spoils any finish you have on the top.
£16.13 £18.95 inc VAT Normal price £24.95
Save 24 %
Caravan Dehumidifiers (Pair) RD65 Protect your investment!
Rechargeable dehumidifier to keep your caravan or motorhome free from moisture build up. Suitable for sustained use for 3 to 4 months before any need for recharging. When it has absorbed all that it can, the indicator window on the front of the product will turn from blue to pink indicating that it requires "recharging". To recharge, simply plug into a mains supply and leave overnight to regenerate, can be recharged over and over again
Specifications: 2 x rechargeable cells containing approx 300g of Silica Gel (SiO2) also know as ‘Water Glass’ 1 x Recharge cable and plug (240 volts)
Dimensions 150mm x 120mm x 40mm approx.
------------- the only silly question is the one you do not ask.
Quote: Originally posted by FionaW1971 on 30/9/2010
Well Well Well!!! Just been inside my caravan on drive which has only had its Protec cover on about 2wks and yup theres condensation inside. Its not dripping or anything but I can feel it on the ceiling and its visible on the glass light shades. I think I shall be investing in some heavy duty dehumidifiers, as we wouldn't want to remove the cover due to trees and blossom plus it camouflages the van from the road blending in with the high privet - but can't have that amount of condensation inside.
Im glad you checked fiona and that was just 2 weeks i left mine for about a month i think.I think there are a lot of people now making their way to their van to check this i wonder what damage if any would have been caused.
welcome tell us you get on as there could be many with the same problem.i still believe a breathable cover will let the outside breath to prevent water laying on the underside,so it can evaporate so to speak.this will not afford the inside the same.
------------- the only silly question is the one you do not ask.
Having two threads running on this subject is getting confusing! I'm going to ignore the other thread.
I'm still intrigued about why some people suffer from this problem, but most don't. How's this for a theory: if the van was in a mostly shady spot that only gets the sun for a short period per day, then it's more likely to be surrounded by damp, cool air. On days when the sun is out, its warmth would be absorbed by the cover (which is a dark colour) rather than being reflected as it would by the white walls of the caravan. This effectively makes the 'van "breath in", warming moist air below and around the van and pulling it inside through vents. Once inside, the warm, moist air strikes the cold walls and condenses.
As I say, only a theory. So, where were your vans sited - in the open or in a sheltered, shady spot?
------------- * You never know where you're going 'til you get there...
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: Water vapour and covers
