Rainy outside-keeping inside spic and span

[Piggy Bank]

We finally de-winterized today. (It's been the longest, coldest spring ever)

We did this at a local campground (in the rain) just for convenience of water and sewer hookups. With the in/out/in/out we were tracking in a lot of dirt and wetness. Wet shoes, jackets, and it looked like we had been there for a couple of days and it was 3 hours.

I realized that we have always tended to camp in relative dry conditions, but know that things won't always be that way.

What are your techniques, strategies, storage hints, clothes and shoe hints, and other advice on dealing with rain and tracking in wetness and even mud when out on the road?

Where do you keep stuff? What's your strategy if you need to set up camp or break camp in a real downpour? How do you dry things out?

And what about the dog in this situation?

What ways do you use your vehicle to help with this?

What ways do you use the Airstreams heat or AC or vent fans to manage moisture and wetness?

Any good cleaning tips?

Thanks in advance.

[GMFL]

We have 3 60” hall runner type rugs. These work great for collecting the dirt/mud, straw and leaf crumbs and we are able to roll it up and stow it a swap out for a new one if needed.

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by Piggy Bank

What are your techniques, strategies, storage hints, clothes and shoe hints, and other advice on dealing with rain and tracking in wetness and even mud when out on the road?

A porous doormat outside allows one to wipe one's feet before entering.

What's your strategy if you need to set up camp or break camp in a real downpour?

Skin dries more quickly than shoes or clothing. Wear as little as you can and avoid denim and clingy T-shirts that get clammy when wet. Keep a towel in the vehicle to dry off with and clothes to change into. I find that doctors' scrubs are especially good for this.

What ways do you use the Airstreams heat or AC or vent fans to manage moisture and wetness?

In cold weather, adding heat dries the air... as long as the heat doesn't come from stove, oven, or a catalytic heater that vents propane exhaust inside. Burned propane includes water vapor as a combustion byproduct so if humidity is an issue make sure the propane heat source is vented outside. In hot weather, ventilation and dehumidiiers work best for controlling moisture. Don't use the A/C to control humidity. Cooling the air raises humidity unless you get it so icy cold that you're freeze-drying your Airstream.

Side note... A litter box full of clumping kitty litter underneath wet hanging clothes (in a closet?) can catch drips without allowing the moisture to evaporate back into the air. This is also a good temporary solution for a leaking roof vent.

[Lily&Me]

Shoes generally go off at or outside the door.

I keep a large, black bath towel folded inconspicuously into a spot near the front door, which is laid out and used for Lily’s feet when they are wet, muddy, sandy, etc....easily shaken out and returned to place, then washed when needed.

A small, handheld vacuum is kept charged, and used often.

Maggie

[mimiandrews]

I keep a small doormat just inside the door. It absorbs a good deal of the wet and dirt that I track in.

[Nomad518]

Extend your awning and keep the end farthest from your door down so rain runs off.

Under the awning, Keep an outdoor rug on the ground outside your door with a doormat on it by your step.

Cover your step with one of those AstroTurf wraps.

Put another doormat inside your door.

Slip off/on your shoes on the doormats.

Don’t wear cotton in cold rainy weather. Cotton kills. Wear synthetic material that wicks moisture from your body or sheds it altogether.

Keep towels handy to wipe your hands, face, head, glasses, etc. as needed.

Carry a big Rubbermaid tub (or brand of your choice) in your tow vehicle. When you’re done with your work outside, remove all your wet clothes and put them in the tub with the doormats and outdoor rug. Pull them out to dry and clean at your earliest opportunity.

It’s ok to roll up your wet awning but open it up again ASAP to let it dry.

If you have carpet inside your trailer, throw rugs, a vacuum cleaner and a Rug Doctor are your friends.

[Camr]

We’ve had success using shag type dog paw mats, especially placing one inside the door entrance. One brand is called Dirty Dog, and they may be available on Amazon, or for sure st any proper pet supply store. They are like a water magnet.

[Captnkirk54]

I use some of that green astroturfa long with a mat under the awning to help slow down the tracking. As far as pets we travel with either 1 or three good sized dogs. The oldest will stay put and we leave him in the trailer as we do what ever. When we have all three i will put them in the back of our truck as we have a cap on it and it normally works well as a kennel until we are ready to move the dogs in. They have learned they are going to get a rub down during reentry and enjoy it. All three are rescues and don't like being out in the rain , snow is a different thing. When it is time to take the walk they are pretty good about getting business done and back inside. Ponchos and rubber shoes of some kind that can be left by the door work for us just dry the feet and step in. If we know it will be wet we will pack lots of towels. Have fun

[LCN001]

We have a boot tray and keep it under the kitchen table.
Something like this
https://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/sto...SABEgIGBPD_BwE but I think we purchased ours from Ikea.

It really helps, you take one step into the trailer onto a rug, sit down, take off your wet dirty shoes and put them right under the table. Helps contain dirt/mud.

We also have a powerful mini vac and a collapsable wet mop from Walmart. Rainy or not, I like to keep the floor clean.

[Piggy Bank]

Wow-thanks these are great ideas.

LCN001 I like the boot tray idea.

Protag-the kitty litter as desiccant is brilliant. Great idea.

Camr, I will check out that mat. Thanks.

CapnKirk-I like the astroturf idea, and the poncho idea too.

Nomad, we get too much gusty wind here in the midwest to use the awning in the rain. Thanks for the reminder that other areas may not (I see you are from the Ireland of North America when it comes to weather)

Maggy-Black towel. Nice!

GMFL- Do you use the kind of runners that go into the wash, or the waterhog kind?

Keep them coming!!

[Overstreet]

I live in Florida. I have a dog. We have a kayak addiction. Rainy or dry wet and dirty stuff goes inside. Get rid of the carpet. Vinyl flooring is your friend. Use a mat under the door steps and one inside. Wear shorts and flip flops, water shoes, or loafers around camp and flip them off when entering.

If its raining during set up. Just wait. Most southeastern states storms come in waves and will be over in 30 minutes or less. Then set up. .......before the next one.

Use a broom often.

[ITSNO60]

mmmmm rain.........Can hardly wait till retirement so we can spend some time in places where it actually rains

Actually we do get rain here, about 6.6" a year on average. I know that doesn't sound like a lot but you wouldn't say that if you were here on the day that it falls.

[Hittenstiehl]

That description sounded so familiar had to look. Yes also in AZ. Right up the road from you.

It's amazing how used to "our part of the country" we can get. When people talk about not having air conditioning, irrigation, sprinkler system or drip systems on their plants I wonder how anything grows. Well in most places it does actually rain.

Mind you are not asking for a big storm while we're sitting in our Airstream seeing as how it still leaks but when it no longer leaks we do like the rain.