condensation inside the bunk end

[artsygirl1970]

ugg!! We just went to crawl into bed and the insides of the top of the bunk ends are covered with condensation. its cold and raining outside and we have the furnace running inside (without setting off the smoke alarm for those of you who read my earlier post). i was surprised to see water droplets all over the inside of the canvas. DH says its condensation. We kicked on some fans to move air around. How do we prevent this in cooler wet temps in the future? Anyone else encounter this issue? thanks all, and happy and dry camping!

[bikendan]

There are literally hundreds of condensation posts in the Hybrid section or any other RV forum's Hybrid section.
That's why Popup Gizmos or the generic solar blankets are the #1 Hybrid mod. They and air movement are the keys to eliminating condensation.
Many newbies close up their hybrids like a submarine, which is a bad idea.
So breathing humans and furnaces create lots of trapped moisture.

Sounds like you don't have PUGs. Get them and leave roof vent cracked and a tent window flap opened. A bunk end fan can help too.

[artsygirl1970]

bikendan, you are absolutely correct. we are completely new to hybrids and we closed it up tighter than a submarine. we did try to get some air moving but failed to pop open a ceiling fan, window or unzip a bunk end. i've done all now and I ordered PUGS this morning. we'll get the hang of it with the help of good folks on the forums here like you who are willing to help point us in the right direction. Thank you very much for the reply and for your help!

Any other suggestions or a list of "must haves or must do" for new hybrid owners that the PDI/dealer may not have told us?

happy camping!
Marci

[ChooChooMan74]

Dan is our Resident Hybrid Guru. He's been doing this longer than us. I was in your boat, once. Don't be afraid to ask questions.

[Arn]

I've tried to convince people the easiest way to prevent condensation from forming is to stop breathing. For some reason I've made more enemies than friends by suggesting this method...

[Flybob]

When we had our hybrid, we put thin self inflating air mattresses under the bunk mattress. The moisture from your body will penetrate the mattress and condense when it hits the cold platform. The vinyl covering and air gap help prevent the condensation.

[MuddauberE]

Ya gotta start somewhere. You will love your hybrid!

[itat]

You'll love the Popup Gizmos in your hybrid. Well worth the cost. We always camp at sites with electricity so we used 1 or 2 portable electric ceramic heaters like this one.
Likewise Ceramic Heater | Canadian Tire

[rsdata]

I do a fair amount of driveway camping... where I live it is pretty humid for three seasons. I have to keep the ceiling vent on and the bunk end zipper open about a foot or more to "sweep" the moisture that I generate when I sleep out of the bunk end. Otherwise it will almost always create quite a bit of moisture condensation on the vinyl roof of the tent end if the evening cools off at all. Low 60's at night is enough to create condensation.

I have never camped without an electrical hookup so I use electric cubes heaters to keep warm on cool evenings. I have a 15 inch fan that I often use on low in the camper just to circulate the heated air off the ceiling. All of the slightly moving air on those rainy or humid cool nights also help with the condensation problem. SO far I have not gotten PUGS.

[dvalley]

Has anyone here tried using Cedar Breather under their mattresses?

[deartruc]

My previous htt allowed me to run heat and a/c. If you have that option give it a try. New htt has a single thermostat. So I bought a small dehumidifier. Ran it all summer with the a/c and it still pulled moisture out of the air. Next weekend will be the big test. <50 degrees and pouring rain should be a moisture challenge.

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by dvalley

Has anyone here tried using Cedar Breather under their mattresses?

never heard of it and never seen anyone use it, in the 11 years i've been on various Hybrid forums.
looks like it might be worth trying. it looks to work similar to products used on boats, under the mattresses.

any idea how much it cost?

[D. J. Schuler]

It's probably posted somewhere. We had a HB and had to clean/remove/kill the mold (mainly black) in the hinges often. When we traded up, the first place the dealer looked was the hinges, second under the mattresses, then around the canvas. All RVs have to breath - have to air circulation.

[dvalley]

Originally Posted by bikendan

never heard of it and never seen anyone use it, in the 11 years i've been on various Hybrid forums.
looks like it might be worth trying. it looks to work similar to products used on boats, under the mattresses.

any idea how much it cost?

I priced it out at $189 a roll directly through the manufacturer. Slightly higher on amazon. I found a post on it on the forums a couple of months back and can't locate it again.

[deartruc]

Originally Posted by D. J. Schuler

It's probably posted somewhere. We had a HB and had to clean/remove/kill the mold (mainly black) in the hinges often. When we traded up, the first place the dealer looked was the hinges, second under the mattresses, then around the canvas. All RVs have to breath - have to air circulation.

X2. Hard siders don't notice it since it doesn't drip on their heads while trying to sleep. But, that condensation has to go somewhere. If you see it on your windows you can bet it's in your walls. I'm sure those that have had the sides come unglued or wavy as you look down them, it's do to condensation trapped in the walls.

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by D. J. Schuler

We had a HB.

What's a HB?

[rockfordroo]

Originally Posted by deartruc

X2. Hard siders don't notice it since it doesn't drip on their heads while trying to sleep. But, that condensation has to go somewhere. If you see it on your windows you can bet it's in your walls. I'm sure those that have had the sides come unglued or wavy as you look down them, it's do to condensation trapped in the walls.

Unless your wall's insulation value is equal to your windows insulation value (i.e., almost nil - which is unlikely), you won't necessarily have condensation on your walls just because it's on your windows. The moisture condenses on surfaces which are colder than the dew point temperature. The dew point temperature changes based on actual temperature and the humidity. So unless it's REALLY cold outside, or you're running close to 100% relative humidity, your walls are probably warmer than the dew point.

I'm also assuming they've installed a moisture barrier in the walls, but I have no idea if that's true - I just hope it's true! (Vacuum-bonding MUST mean it's moisture-proof, doesn't it? )

[CNYCamper]

We do a lot of dry camping and proper ventilation has for the most part kept condensation at bay - until this past week in the Adirondacks with a waterfront site. Had 15 hours of steady rain in 55 temp and a cold front moved in overnight. Rain stopped, but temp. dropped suddenly to 34. I woke up to looking at actual large drops suspended from the canvas. Took a couple of towels to remove.


PUGS at the top of my Christmas list.

[deartruc]

Have PUGs and bought this, which has been great so far. Big test will be this weekend. Rain expected and lows nearing 40. Plus, us=4, in laws of two, niece, and two grandsons (nevermind about the 95 lb lab couch potato).

[itat]

Originally Posted by deartruc

Have PUGs and bought this, which has been great so far. Big test will be this weekend. Rain expected and lows nearing 40. Plus, us=4, in laws of two, niece, and two grandsons (nevermind about the 95 lb lab couch potato).

deartruc, are you planning to use the propane furnace for the weekend? If you use a ceramic heater or two instead of the propane furnace they won't add to the moisture problem like the furnace. The dehumidifier should be helpful either way with that many people in the trailer.