Condensation Cures

We try to use the van every month of the year whatever the weather which certainly helps a lot. Always take tins home with us because they get so cold then give out a lot of condensation when warming up. Just keep things open and aired, modern vans do cope well if they are free from damp problems. Winter caravaning is a real joy once you get into it, very different from the summer but every bit as enjoyable.

Not sure what is meant here, metal cans cannot be colder than the ambient temperature and all the other materials in it. Also, metal does not absorb water and cannot give it out. It is a good conductor of heat mind and condensation is more readily noticed forming on it.  It is the materials in the van which absorb the water and as such largely 'hide' it from vision, like cushions and curtains for example, and retain it which causes much of the issues. Unfortunately these materials will show little indication of moisture retention until the tell tale signs show.

I do agree that winter 'vanning is fun mind and provides opportunities to 'air' the interior.

Other than a couple of years ago when I had the dusty type mould which just wipes off I have had no problems.  I have no idea why this stuff appeared and it was once only after a mild winter.  Secret is to ensure good ventilation.  I leave interior cupboard doos open to help but this spring noticed that the cupboard door to the front locker above the window had warped a little - it is now clamped straight in my garage to, hopefully, correct it.

I was in Aldi yesterday and bought a number of items for my motorhome and toyed with the idea of buying crystals but decided against it.  I am glad that I didn't waste my money as the consensus on here seems to be that they don't work. My Eldiss Autoquest van is 14 years old and last spring I found a few small mould patches on the wall of the van, above a shelf so this winter I left the blinds up at the side and rear, both of which let the sun in which warms the van up on sunny days and this year, even though we have had lots of rain there are no mould patches so maybe that helps.  A friend of mine has a fairly new caravan and has had problems with water ingress so I can't help but wonder how common the problem of damp and water ingress is?

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I'm surprised that the original question was asked by a member of staff........ as if this is a 'normal' part of caravanning.  Our caravan is now eighteen years old (as I said earlier) It's now still completely damp free (at the most recent service) and each Spring when we open it up again is just as dry and fresh smelling as it was when we put it 'to bed for the winter'.  We don't have misty windows, or wet worktops and I would be very worried that there was a real problem if we did.

Gone are the typical caravanning days back in the nineteen fifties when a night in a caravan resulted in wet drips from the aluminium rails over your head, damp sheets and pillows, streaming drops down the windows, and pools of moisture on window bottoms to be wiped up each morning!

Never had a problem with condensation. Just open the door and all the windows every few days when it's sunny and dry. Only takes a few minutes but is well worth the effort.  The car is parked in front of the van on the drive so security is not a problem. 

K 

we have a dehumidifier that lives permanently in the van when not in use. I switch on for a couple of days a month and have no problems