How to Monitor & Prevent Condensation in Your RV this Winter!

How to Monitor & Prevent Condensation in Your RV this Winter!
Tips for keeping moisture out of your motorhome or travel trailer.

By: GoLife Staff

While moisture can be a problem any time of year, cooler outside temperatures can make you even more likely to experience condensation inside your motorhome or travel trailer. That’s why it is important to take some steps to prevent it!

[Note: This is an update to a previously published article from the Winnebago Service Team.]

Why Limiting Condensation is Important

One of the places you will probably first notice moisture is on the inside of your RV’s windows and walls. Many daily activities generate this moisture, including simply breathing! Add cooking, bathing, washing dishes, and doing laundry, and it is easy to see that a lot of water vapor or humidity can be introduced into a coach in a relatively short amount of time. 

Imagine the effects of this moisture accumulation over several days if not dealt with! Condensation-related issues within a motorhome can range from foggy windows to water literally running down the walls. Items stored in enclosed spaces such as cabinets and drawers can actually become damp and musty. If left unattended, mold and mildew can form.

In more severe cases, you may develop dry rot or structural damage to the wooden components in the coach. This type of damage often goes unattended, as it may not be readily visible and is usually quite expensive to repair.

How to Monitor and Prevent Condensation in Your RV

Monitoring and controlling relative humidity within the RV is one of the most important steps to minimize the risk for moisture-related damage. Ideally, relative humidity should be at 60% or less. It can be monitored utilizing a portable hygrometer, a small device that measures temperature and relative humidity. Hygrometers are available at electronics or building supply stores for about $30. 

The most effective way to deal with condensation is to ventilate your coach. Removing any moist air is the best way to prevent condensation from forming. Many people will utilize a small fan to increase circulation within the living quarters. There are also small mechanical dehumidifiers that do an excellent job of deterring the buildup of condensation.

In order to help guard against the effects of condensation in your motorhome we have complied the following list of “dos” and “don’ts”:

DO -

• Be conscious of activities that generate moisture and humidity. 
• Open a window or roof vent slightly when camping in cold conditions. 
• Use your range hood fan when cooking. 
• Open your bathroom vent when showering. 
• Avoid generating unnecessary steam from boiling water or running hot faucets. 
• Check enclosed areas, such as cabinets and wardrobes, for signs of moisture accumulation. 
• Wipe up damp or wet areas as you find them. 
• Check washer/dryer vents frequently. 
• Thoroughly clean any areas of mold or mildew. 
• Avoid drastic thermostat setbacks.

DON’T -

• Bring unnecessary sources of moisture into the coach – snow on shoes or wet clothes. 
• Put items in storage when they are damp or wet.
• Hang wet laundry to air dry inside the RV.
• Allow condensation to dissipate on its own.
• Overfill storage areas with little air circulation.
• Park over wet or muddy surfaces that may increase moisture levels within the coach.

Here are some more tips for preventing condensation! And this article is another great resource.

We hope this article helps you create a plan to limit humidity in your RV. Taking steps to minimize condensation and its effects in your motorhome or travel trailer will help to prevent costly damage and make your time spent camping during colder conditions more enjoyable!