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MonaxLisa · 10-29-2010, 11:07 AM

I discovered today that the entire front wall of my trailer (inside the little corner table and behind the little couch) is condensating something awful. It's soppy wet, mildewy and the floor is showing signs of getting wet along the wall since there's so much dripping down. There's condensation around all the windows too (which are mildewing) but that's not as serious as the wet floor. Does anyone have any suggestions?

tpi · 10-29-2010, 11:21 AM

I'm going under the assumption the trailer is occupied, not leaking, and in a humid climate.

I'd get a dehumidifier. But I'd carefully rule out leakage as a source.

Foiled Again · 10-29-2010, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tpi

I'm going under the assumption the trailer is occupied, not leaking, and in a humid climate.

I'd get a dehumidifier. But I'd carefully rule out leakage as a source.

VERY apt advice about leakage!

Happycampers · 10-29-2010, 12:30 PM

Hello .. We have a Soleus dehumidifier and love it ... no condensation on the windows with the furnace running all night... no damp feeling either... very quiet and it is surprising how much moisture is pulled from the air..

Airslide · 10-29-2010, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Happycampers

Hello .. We have a Soleus dehumidifier and love it ... no condensation on the windows with the furnace running all night... no damp feeling either... very quiet and it is surprising how much moisture is pulled from the air..

I use the same one.. its amazing how much moisture it pulls out. After a wet trip I leave it in the trailer for a couple days running with all the cabinents open and rear bed in the up position and I have to empty the bucket twice before everything is dry and I dont think I have any leaks going on anywhere..

dkottum · 10-29-2010, 03:05 PM

Condensation happens when moist air is cooled to its dew point, or the temperature that the air can no longer hold its moisture as vapor. This occurs on the interior surface of windows and exterior walls, or other surfaces that are cooler than the interior air. Ventilation of the trailer is essential, such as cracking a window or two. Also take steps for extra ventilation when creating excessive humidity such as cooking, washing dishes, or showering, by running bath and range hood fans.

RangerJay · 10-29-2010, 03:37 PM

In addition to what has already been said - if the insulation in that wall has been damaged, by either a current leak or an old one, then that wall's interior surface will be cooler - making it even more susceptible to condensation in humid conditions.

Jay

MonaxLisa · 10-30-2010, 08:47 PM

I don't have any leaks, and there aren't any visible signs of damage anywhere. I have a fan on for now which is helping about 90% of the problem, but it's keeping it cool (bad) so I'll check out the dehumidifier. Not sure where I'll put it though! Thanks everyone!

ROBERTSUNRUS · 10-30-2010, 11:59 PM

Hi, Marvin & Annie, and Vinnie; What size and model number of the Soleus Dehumidifier do you have. I did a quick check on Amazon and they seem quite large and pricey for a trailer.

Happycampers · 10-31-2010, 09:17 AM

Hi Bob,

We paid 125.00 I think or close to that.

Amazon.com: Soleus Air CFM-25E 25-Pint Dehumidifier with Humidistat: Kitchen & Dining: Reviews, Prices & more

CanoeStream · 10-31-2010, 10:28 AM

MonaxLisa -- you haven't said -- are you sleeping in the trailer a lot? I'm with dkottum. When sleeping, open a window slightly and prop it on a turned up latch. Or whatever it takes to have one window open 1/4-1/2". I do this at the end opposite where we sleep.

MonaxLisa · 10-31-2010, 12:10 PM

I'm full time in it, and I'd freeze if I opened a window! It gets pretty chilly at night and I have a heater in the bathroom and one in the kitchen area and it still gets down to the low 60's inside by morning.

pmclemore · 10-31-2010, 02:49 PM

If you see condensation on your windows, there is also condensation where you can't see it. Everywhere. You gotta solve the problem. Good luck.

Pat

RangerJay · 10-31-2010, 05:40 PM

Although people do it - your trailer wasn't meant to be a four-season home in areas where there is a real winter.

Your answers are pretty much contained throughout the thread. Your problem is not condensation - it is humidity - cool/cold weather and a damp environment will create condensation problems in any small space that houses all the functions of a full-size home.

In summary - your toolkit to help deal with this includes:

always use your exhaust fans liberally when showering, cooking or doing any activity that will put moisture into the air.
keep a window cracked for fresh air - particularly at night
keep air moving - especially in those spots where there is unlikely to be natural movement.
use your furnace to supplement your electric heat and help keep air moving on cold nights.
if you still have problems then use a de-humidifier to keep your humidity levels down.

Good Luck.

Jay

CanoeStream · 10-31-2010, 08:31 PM

MonaxLisa -- the furnace (and not space heaters) has ducting that runs under cabinets where the plumbing lies. And that also is ducted down to your tanks. Only the furnace can give some margin from freezing up -- though conditions last winter during one cold snap across Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi & Alabama could put a challenge to that in otherwise warm areas!

During active camping I am comfortable down into the mid-teens with my Airstream's furnace running. My backup position? If the furnace went out I'd better be prepared to do a full winterize in half a day and just use the Safari as an aluminum tent -- without water. No way I can keep it from freezing up with just space heaters.

We use good, warm bedding. Good sleeping conditions lead me to set the thermostat low enough that the furnace is not on constantly -- usually something in the mid- to low-50s will accomplish this. I'm tucked in. I can read (not long, mind you... zzzzz). No trouble getting up to the bathroom. This is not a cozy house after all. The first one of us up in the morning turns the thermostat up to 65 or so. That's the way I set it up and having a window cracked open at the opposite end of the trailer does not change my general comfort with this plan.

How is your window condensation in the morning? I have a metal interior -- part of the newer Special Edition features. I see plenty of condensation on the interior skin if I seal up too tight -- and know that an older Airstream's mouse fur interior would conceal but potentially be just as moist. Consider the small interior volume of an Airstream compared to an apartment or house. Our moist exhalation amounts to a lot of volume before the night is done. That is much more concentrated when living in such a small volume -- and needs to be compensated for. Cracking a window at the other end of the trailer is my solution in early spring & late fall camping.

Mike Leary · 10-31-2010, 09:08 PM

We've been using liquid-filled radiators front and rear for years, only running the propane furnace in the morning and the roof-air heat strip to keep the moisture down. When it gets crazy moisture, as the PNW does, we'll use small heaters in the stern where the tanks and water pump/lines are. Unless you are a heavy breather, I can't imagine the moisture situation you have with normal living aboard. I'd be trying to track down the source of most of the wetness and check for either a inside or outside leak.