Kampa rally awning, condensation problems

Tjdo replied on 05/08/2018 05:57

Posted on 05/08/2018 05:57

does anyone have problems with condensation in a Kampa air awning. We own a Bailey motor home and decided to purchase an awning and annex to give us some extra space when our grandson and his mum and dad come with us.

We used this as a bedroom this week however we are plagued with condensation, waking up in the morning to it dripping all over us making bedding etc wet

Has anyone had the same experience or are we doing something wrong.

We have only just come back to Caravanning after  a few years break, we have never had the problem in the past.

suggestions/solutions would be appreciated

Trevor Downer

richardandros replied on 05/08/2018 06:35

Posted on 05/08/2018 06:35

Trevor - condensation in a lot of modern awnings isn't restricted to Kampa - any awning made of an impermeable fabric will suffer from it and it just has to be managed - or alternatively go for an awning made of a breathable (cotton) material - but then these can have other problems.

The 2018 Kampa instruction book acknowledges the problem and does give some advice as to how to minimise condensation.  Such things as using a waterproof groundsheet (where allowed) - but mainly making sure there is a good flow of air through the awning by opening vents etc.  We also tend to leave the tops of doors open slightly.

A roof lining will help considerably - not only by providing a small level of insulation below the roof but also by stopping those drips on your head.

In addition to our Kampa 390 Grande, we also have a small lightweight Sunncamp Swift which we tend to use in winter and we get exactly the same problem with condensation with that one.

replied on 05/08/2018 06:50

Posted on 05/08/2018 06:50

Does the annex not have a breathable inner tent for sleeeping? 

JVB66 replied on 05/08/2018 07:20

Posted on 05/08/2018 07:20

It is a well documented fact with awnings made of man made fibres as most are not breathable,the onl way to minimise it is ensure there is plenty of ventilation,and if useing it for sleeping in, a cotton if possible inner tent 

replied on 05/08/2018 07:49

Posted on 05/08/2018 07:49

An inner tent definitely makes a difference JVB. Along time ago (45 years) I worked away from home for 6 months going home Friday afternoon and back on the Sunday night. I didn't want to disturb folk by arriving at my digs in the early hours and did not want to leave home much before midnight. I adapted an inner tent to fit the rear of my estate car with rear seats folded. It had a carpeted floor and the back of the rear seats was also carpeted. I was cosy enough from start of April until start of October. I would crack the rear side windows slightly and very little condensation on windows.

(I would park overnight on a local transport cafe car park, get up at 7 for a bacon butty, mug of tea and a wash before work on a nearby site. I did that for two 6 month sessions. My dad also used it on a tour through France and Spain in his estate car.)

johnathome replied on 05/08/2018 08:58

Posted on 05/08/2018 08:58

Best solution my wife and I found was to buy one of those pop up tents. We use a 3 person one as it gives a little more room for 2.

fold up and put away during daytime, spring into action just before bed and a couple of sleeping bags ( job done and drip proof).

This is all done inside of the awning of course.wink

markflip replied on 08/08/2018 19:08

Posted on 08/08/2018 19:08

A plus one for using an inner tent, our second hand kampa 'pole' awning annexe has one to fit it, and before that we had a cheap 'standard' inner tent that we put up inside the full awning (or we have used a cheap pop up tent like johnathome).

We have had heavy condensation, particularly under the roof of the annexe itself, but the inner has always prevented it falling onto the bedding etc.  If you are using an inner and it's not preventing the drips, perhaps give the roof of it a spray with a suitable waterproofing/Scotchguard?  I also wonder if the roof of the air awning is a bit less sloping and prone to drips too??

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