We went to check the caravan today. We went about 5 weeks ago took out seats and bed matresses. Opened every thing and left one of our windows on vent due to finding the mirrors steamed up and it feeling very damp / cold. I also put in two containers of salt and one with moisture crystals .
In our last van ( a coachman ) we had a cover made for it . But found that when checked in the winter it was very moist inside. Even our step was damp . We took the cover off and I was too afraid to use it again . We never had another problem with that caravan. I think there were a lot of vents in there. I did used to bring the seats cushions home .
Our van today seemed ok we haven't had lots of rain until recently . The salt in the rear of the van was quite damp . The crystal fine and the salt at the front of the van was still dry. I have left my window on vent and the blinds half way with curtains drawn . I think this van is not so well ventilated as our last van . I may be wrong but this is my opinion . It is a worry in the winter . But we do have a long warranty so hopefully it will ok. I still feel that we must try and do everything we can to hopefully prevent damp.
Is anyone else as neurotic as we are.
Not really neurotic, but very keen to protect our hard earned assett!
We do do things a bit differently to you, the cushions stay inside the van, and we never leave the windows on vent. The salt bowls have a tough task keeping the air dry inside the caravan, withought adding more damp winter air from outside, and theres enough natural ventilation through the caravans perminent vents as it is. Ours is also left with the 500watt setting on frostguard, and fingers crossed it will stay fine like that until the spring.
Julia
------------- Just love to be out amoungst Nature and Wildlife
Celebrating 37 years of Caravanning in 2019, Recently Considered Retiring, but Totally Addicted for Life!
I don't worry about it too much. We use a good protec cover and haven't had any problems yet and its just over three years old. It will get cold in winter but will get heated when we start using it again.
We also have good protec cover, take seat cushions into house and just add a couple of little rechargeable dehumidifiers. This is our third winter doing this and no problems so far.
Every year my vans felt damp due to condensation but not this year as we left the curtains open and the blinds up.
My theory is,any condensation disappears when the sun..if we get any,heats the van during the day.I will continue to do this as ive noticed a big difference.
On Friday 27th Dec, Aldi's are doing a Mini Dehumidifier that would be ideal for caravans. £34.99.
https://www.aldi.co.uk/en/specialbuys/friday-27th-december/product-detail/ps/p/midi-dehumidifier/
I can't see why folk worry about their 'vans interior feeling damp over winter. The interior will be no where near as damp as when van is being used, cooked in & slept in. One only needs to worry about a damp interior if it is caused by water ingress through leaking seals not if the circulating air is damp. Provided bodywork is sound & caravan reasonably well ventilated then there is no need for dehumidifiers.
Quote: Originally posted by johnks on 20/12/2013
All you do with a dehumidifier is to draw damp air in from the outside imo.
When I use a dehumidifier in my van, I block up all the vents in both the roof and the floor.
As to whether you actually need to use a dehumidifier or not will depend on what you are trying to do with your van and the reasons that you are trying to dry it out.
We don't all have modern dry vans!
Indeed, from what I have read on here, even some "modern" vans need the use of a dehumidifier.
But decent dehumidifiers are expensive and I was merely pointing my fellow readers to a dehumidifier that looks as if it would be ideal for a caravan yet at a reasonable price.
We empty the van of food / clothes etc.
Stand the cushions up in the middle of van and make sure all vents are clear and not blocked .
Come the spring we open all the windows and door (if weather is fine)
Dehumidifiers, salt trays, crystals etc all a waste of time in my opinion. In winter the air contains a lot of moisture. That's why it rains a lot more. That air is inside the caravan with the moisture in it.
to try to dry out the air in a tin can the size of a caravan using little portable dehumidifiers and small trays of chemicals is a pretty daunting task and more so when that giant can has ventiliation built into it.
If soft furnishings are removed what harm does this moist air do? None in my view. You do need to avoid it getting stale and creating any mould. That's why the van is ventilated.
The reason why people ask about dehumidifiers and other forms of removing dampness from vans is that they have a problem.
Those that do not have damp problems can and probably do, not take any actions with regards these units and a ventilated van should remain damp free.
My recently purchased van had a fairly rough life prior to us purchasing it and therefore had damp problems.
When you spend a considerable amount of money on a van and are then faced with the choice of paying for a professional repair costing thousands or investing in a dehumidifier and a low wattage heater, then common sense says DIY and the cheaper option.
I have completely cured the damp in one section and am now working on the other damp section.
The point I am trying to make is that IF you have a damp problem then it can be cured by your own hand if you invest in the proper equipment.
There is loads of information out there and a bit of searching, time and patience and you will end up with a van that will give you many years service.
For those who do not have a damp problem, then ventilation is the way for you.
After all, most Farmer's Barns are open on most sides and only the roof is there to prevent things becoming damp.
If it works for a Barn then it will work for your Van.
If the caravan is damp because it is leaking then an electric dehumidifier is worthwhile to help dry out interior after it has been repaired. Once repaired & watertight you don't need a dehumidifier, just ventilation. If the caravan has water ingress it needs repairing.
A dehumidifier cannot be a substitute for a damp repair, the water will be still getting into the structure & rotting it. One needs to understand the distinct difference between a bit of condensation inside caravan which is harmless & will happen more so when caravan is in use..& damp in the bodywork caused by water ingress which should be repaired soonest.
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Topic: Went to check caravan today
