How to Reduce Moisture and Condensation in Your RV
When you’re heading out for an adventure in your RV or travel trailer, there’s a lot of things to consider — packing up your supplies, making sure your rig is ready for a long trek and plotting out your course on the open road. However, all RVs are in danger of a sneaky adversary that you may not be aware of: moisture.
Why You Want to Minimize Moisture in Your RV or Travel Trailer
There’s a lot to consider before embarking on a road trip in your RV, yet the risks of moisture are probably not the first things you think of. In fact, you may see it as charming when condensation builds up on your windows, allowing you to draw smiley faces or write messages to passersby. However, moisture can seriously impact the living conditions inside your rig and may even cause damage.
Cooking, showering and even breathing deeply as you sleep creates moisture inside your RV. When left unattended, this can cause this small space to become damp over time. Once dampness creeps in, it can be difficult to get it out, and it impacts every part of your RV’s living area, including the wood, walls, mattresses, curtains and cushions. Some RVs experience thousands of dollars worth of damage, including:
- Mold and mildew growth
- Damage to interior components
- Wood rot
- Corrosion of metallic parts
Even when you’re in the process of buying an RV, you should get a habitation check to ensure moisture levels aren’t too high. Normal humidity levels are between 30 and 50 percent. You can invest in a portable, wireless weather station for your travel trailer with a built-in hygrometer that can measure the moisture in the air.
Tips for Reducing Moisture and Condensation in Your RV
Even though moisture and condensation present real problems for your RV, you can prevent these dangers by following a few simple tips, such as these three.
1. Get a Dehumidifier
A small dehumidifier can be used to pull moisture out of the air and reduce condensation. This easy solution usually prevents all the problems associated with moisture damage. Just be sure to empty the dehumidifier’s moisture tank frequently. Most have a light that turns on when the tank is full. One of the only downsides is that these appliances take a lot of energy to run, so you need to be sure you have the power necessary to keep it going.
2. Invest in Moisture Control Products
Moisture-removing crystals, like Damp Rid, are an inexpensive solution to drying out the air in your RV without having to plug in an appliance. These are usually stored in a container which you can place out of the way. However, some people don’t like this solution, as it involves the use of chemicals.
3. Be Aware of Activities That Produce Moisture
You perform everyday activities around your RV that unknowingly produce condensation and can lead to excess moisture buildup. By exercising a little precaution, you can dramatically decrease moisture in the air. Here’s how:
- Use exhaust fans or crack windows while cooking or showering to let out steam
- Increase the temperature in your RV by a few degrees
- Cover pots and pans while cooking, or cook outside
- Leave a window cracked while you sleep to let out CO2
Keep Moisture and Condensation Away
These tips are easy to follow and will play a huge role in cutting down moisture and prolonging the life of your RV. With one less thing to worry about, you can hit the open roads without a care.
