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kooblekidz · 01-15-2003, 05:18 PM

Hi all,
We are in a cold climate full timing in our 345 MH and finding that when we life the bed it is soaked underneath. No, it's not anything that a case of depends would fix, so we're not sure what to do. I skirted the outside perimeter and put a light under, we have heat on at all times and all windows are covered with plastic. Anything I missed? All suggestions appreciated.
Eric in No. Georgia

thenewkid64 · 01-15-2003, 07:01 PM

I would suggest that you get some additional air movement under there. It may require a opening or two to be cut into the base of the bed and covered by a metal vent grille. The other question is are you havving cold air leaking in from a compartment door that is allowing the under bed area to get that much colder? Other than running a heat outlet into the space in question I can't offer much more than to get some air movment.

kooblekidz · 01-16-2003, 04:49 AM

There is a compartment door that opens right under the bed. It's not airtight, I suppose that I could put plastic over that also. As far as a fan what would you think about placing an exhaust fan of some kind at the foot of the bed to pull air out from under it?
Eric

thenewkid64 · 01-16-2003, 05:53 AM

If the door is not airtight creating a negative pressure under the bed will just draw in more cold air. I would say a fan would work, but I would have some way for it to draw air thru the space with a way to pull air into the underbed space from inside the coach. Possibly a couple of small openings oppisite the the location of the fan to get a good draw thru the space?

Jabba · 01-16-2003, 06:25 AM

What about putting foam weatherstripping on the compartment door to seal the compartment and give the air under the bed a chance to warm up (create an area that isn't outside or interior temp but somewhere in between, think how a thermopane window works)? If you keep moving cold air over a warm object aren't you still going to be creating condensation? It would only cost a couple bucks to give it a try. Don't know if it'll work, only a suggestion.

RoadKingMoe · 01-16-2003, 06:36 AM

The cold from the unheated compartment chills the plywood. The mattress does a great job of insulating the plywood from the warm air inside. The moisture inside that's also condensing on the cold windows goes right through the mattress to the cold plywood and condenses. So does the extra moisture from sleeping on it. To try to stop the moisture you'd have to have the whole mattress in an airtight plastic cover... not good for sleeping on.

You need to do two things. Insulate the plywood on the bottom to keep the cold compartment from chilling it. Staple foil bubble wrap to the bottom, glue foam insulation board, something like that. Both would have to be trimmed to not get between the plywood and bracing structures of the frame below.

You also need to get the mattress up off the plywood so moisture can escape and warm air can get to the top of the plywood. Fastening 60" long 1/2" X 1/2" wood strips spaced 1/2" apart all the way up the plywood is one way.

It's early, I haven't had coffee yet LOL! and I'm positive someone else will come up with some better ideas.