Hi All: Trust all are preparing for the holidays and tucking away their Scamps for the season (Of course, excluding those living in warmer climates) still I think we might all be experiencing the issue of condensation. It appears to be a periodic problem with our ever changing weather. So what are you all using to keep the condensation in check? Water and dampness is definitely a problem I want to have a handle on. Your input would be sincerely appreciated. Even specific dehumidifiers you have used. Thanks, Barb
Thu, 11/17/2016 - 14:26
#1
Dehumidifiers and Scamps
Storage tips. Keep the trailer out of direct sunlight if possible. The direct sunlight on the shell cause the big temperature swings which causes condensation. If you have an external cover over your vent keep the vent open. This helps equalize the inside and outside temperature and provides a little air circulation. Leave all cabinet doors and seat compartment lids open. Either remove your cushions or stand them on edge in the trailer. I stored a trailer in a barn with the trailer closed up and still had condensation issues in the spring and fall until I started opening things up. In the barn I also open up a couple of windows. If you keep the inside and out side temperatures the same it really helps reducing condensation.
Eddie
I have used silca gel, in a can
Our climate in N California is rather dry and after a few months last winter the pellets still were not turning pink, indicating time to dry them out in an oven. Good feature is it can be dried out in oven and reused.
I did not have any problem with moisture in the trailer.
Doug O
I tried a dehumidifier in my 16'. The humidity was as high as 86% (I had a leak around one of the vents on the roof and the inside got very wet; not real happy with Scamp) but the dehumidifier collected almost none of the moisture despite running continuously for more than 2 days. I gave up on dehumidifiers and bought a small electric heater and set the thermostat at 65. The humidity in my trailer is now down to 34% after being heated for 3 weeks. I am going to keep it heated for the entire winter to avoid the problem. Fortunately, I have a shop in which to store my trailer over the winter.
ejt
I am a full-time RVer in a 16 Scamp who is currently a volunteer camp host for Washington State Parks. Needless to say it rains a lot in Washington. Last year I learned the "everything grows mold" lesson the hard way. Another RVer introduced me to DriZair, which works great. I also use a whole array of DampRid products. The hanging moisture absorbers are great in the bathroom and closet area You can purchase disposable containers at the Dollar Store and put one in every cupboard, nook, and cranny. No molded this year.
The park rangers put the disposable containers in their trucks when they are locked up or several days or weeks,
Researched getting a dehumidifier, but since the disposables work so well, I can eliminate one more electric appliance to haul around.
I know a horror story about a volunteer couple that left a room hearer running in their enormous deluxe motor home that started a fire that burned the 40ft RV mansion to the ground in less than 45 minutes. Fortunately, they were gone. Other RVers who watched the inferno meltdown are still telling the story. Last spring I occupied the host site where the tragedy occurred and the asphalt told the tale. Maybe I've just become hyper sensitive about leaving electrical appliance running unattended.
Doug O, gonna try those canisters. Looked at them on Amazon.com. I think the rangers would like those because they're resusable.
Krestine
KReed:
I do worry a bit about the heater starting a fire. I am going to look into the chemical dehumidifiers you mention after I am sure the trailer is completely dry from the water leak. When the humidity levels out and will go no lower I am probably there. Another way to look at it: When you are gone from home do you unplug your clocks, fridge, freezers, the furnace, TV set, etc? I certainly do not. I have an electronic clock that has been running continuously for 40 years. I rarely shut off my SiriusXM and DirecTV receivers and all TV sets are on 24/365 even when you "shut it off" (that is how the instant ON works). We depend on a lot of things to operate properly. The most common ways for electric heaters to start a fire are from tipping over and inadequate wiring. I checked the wiring for over heating several times a day for a week to be sure it was OK and the heater is not supposed to be able to start a fire even if it tips over because there is nothing in it that gets hot enough. I still check everything twice a day to be on the safe side. I understand your point though.
You mentioned you are a full time RVer in a 16' Scamp. I live in Oregon and the climate in both states are nearly identical. How do you keep the water lines from freezing?
DJDemarco
ejt