Preventing RV Condensation

As a proud RV owner, you are tasked with keeping your camper in good working order by performing regular maintenance. But sometimes, problems arise despite your best efforts and they need to be addressed promptly to prevent damage to your RV. One common issue for may RV owners is condensation. This damp scourge can cause mold and mildew build-up in addition to warping wood surfaces and damaging your personal items with excess moisture.

Fortunately, you can do something about it! Camp Site RV, located in Cresco, is your Iowa RV dealer. Below, we’ve gathered together some tips for preventing RV condensation from forming in your camper.

Identify Sources of Moisture

First off, it’s important to understand how condensation forms. Condensation is simply the accrual of moisture in your camper. One cause may be the relative humidity of the area you live or any place you opt to camp. If you’re in a very humid climate, such as the tropical weather of Florida or the rainy weather in the Pacific Northwest, this can lead to condensation build-up quite quickly.

Another source that might impact you no matter where you are is the dampness caused by your shower or by cooking in the kitchen. Steam from boiling water can condense in the air, and your shower may cause higher humidity, too. 

Wet items that you leave lying around may also cause condensation, like damp clothing. When people come inside after swimming with wet towels and swimsuits, have them put these in the laundry or hang them outside to dry on a clothesline so they don’t generate moisture in the air.

Use Ventilation

To reduce moisture in the air, it’s important to use ventilation wherever you can. Your RV has its own vents that you should open to release moist air. This is especially important to do with your shower and your kitchen. In fact, when cooking, try to open up windows to allow moist air to escape before it can condense. You can also get some fans to blow air out the open door or your open windows. 

Get a Dehumidifier

Another way to reduce moisture in your RV is to get a dehumidifier that will help to pull moisture out of the air, condensing it and keeping it in a receptacle that you can then empty. Dehumidifiers can usually treat a room in a typical home, so you should be able to make one work for your whole RV, although if you have a much larger RV, you may want to get a second one for the rear of the vehicle or move the one you have to the back periodically.

Measure Moisture Levels

You can keep track of moisture in your RV very easily by getting a small device called a hygrometer which is designed to read the humidity levels in the air. Comfortable relative humidity is considered to be anywhere between 30 to 50 percent, depending on where you live and what you find to be the most comfortable. Try to keep the humidity of your RV within this 20-degree range for the best results.

Warm Up the Air

Turning up the temperature in your RV may also help to reduce condensation. In winter, the furnace should help to prevent condensation from settling, and in summer, you might want to turn off the air-conditioning sometimes to reduce wetness in the air.

If you still have questions about how to prevent RV condensation and lower the humidity in your camper, talk to us! Come on down to our Cresco, Iowa, location to chat with our friendly staff and take a look at our vast inventory of new and used RVs for sale while you’re here. Camp Site RV proudly serves the cities of Cedar Falls, Iowa; Rochester, Minnesota; and La Crosse, Wisconsin.