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RanCar
Forum Family Vacation Camper
Joined: 15 Aug 2009
Location: Middle TN
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Posts: 131
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Topic: condensation Posted: 06 Nov 2009 at 1:27pm |
We went camping twice when we needed the furnace. The temps were in the 40s. The condensation was terrible, running down the windows and into the bedding. Nothing like crawling into a damp chilled bed at night. Now we need to figure out how we're going to solve this problem.
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2008 ZT19RD
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papa2
Forum Full Time Camper
Joined: 27 Aug 2007
Location: Michigan
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Posts: 715
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Posted: 06 Nov 2009 at 3:28pm |
Did you keep the vents cracked open? No matter the outside temps it's important to have ventilation, which reduces or eliminates the condensation.
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Al & Karyl
'08 Sunset Trail ST29RL
Equal-i-zer hitch
'05 Ford F250 v10
Teknonsha P3 brake controller
K&N Air Intake
Flowmaster exhaust
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fhenn
Forum Full Time Camper
Joined: 13 Jul 2006
Location: Jackson, Ms
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Posts: 1199
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Posted: 06 Nov 2009 at 4:03pm |
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Get the Plastic bubble wrap, wet down the windows put it over the windows. This will give it all most the same r value as a double pane window. We learned this last year on my son's houst that was built in the 1930's. We use it in our cruiser
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Frank and Janet Henn
2008 CF32Bl pushing a 2005 Dodge
CDT with a six speed.
Traveling with Hoover and Rainbow the wonder dogs.
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mwebber78
Forum Full Time Camper
Joined: 16 Jun 2008
Location: Maine
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Posts: 874
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Posted: 06 Nov 2009 at 4:56pm |
With two adults in a smaller camper the combination of cooking, breathing, showering and perspiration is enough to overwhelm the area you have. It is critical to leave windows slightly cracked, vent slightly cracked, ventilate the bathroom when showering, remove wet towels from the trailer, use the cook stove vent fan, etc....
Good luck!
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Mike
http://community.webshots.com/user/mwebber78
www.webberstravels.blogspot.com
2008 Chevy 2500 HD
09 Cruiser 31SB
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ThreePutt
Forum Family Vacation Camper
Joined: 24 Nov 2005
Location: Flushing MI
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Posts: 207
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Posted: 06 Nov 2009 at 7:18pm |
I use a small dehumidifier at night and that takes care of the problem.
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Larry & Karen
'05 28CK
'03 Silverado 8.1 Allison Trans
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Stan
Forum Full Time Camper
Joined: 09 Apr 2006
Location: Oak Harbor, WA
Online Status: Online
Posts: 861
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Posted: 06 Nov 2009 at 9:04pm |
Cut back on the Heavy Breathing at night.
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Stan and Terri
Oak Harbor, WA
2008 Chevy 2500HD D/A
2007 Cruiser CF30SK
Glide Ride Pin Box
Reese 16K Slider
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papa2
Forum Full Time Camper
Joined: 27 Aug 2007
Location: Michigan
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Posts: 715
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Posted: 06 Nov 2009 at 9:22pm |
This is my second trailer and I've never had issues with condensation. I camp here in Michigan well into mid to late October. Night time temps into the 20s. I've cracked a window or two, but it generally isn't necessary as long as the overhead vents are cracked. I know it sounds like backwards logic to crack open vents or windows when you're trying to heat the trailer, but it really does work.
I ordered the insulated glass on this trailer. However, on my old 25 footer I did use the plastic over the windows. Definitely helps to keep it warmer longer. The new upgraded windows serve the same purpose.
However, when using your furnace the best advice I can offer is to make sure you don't run out of propane. That was one of many small misadventures on my last trip. Nothing like waking up freezing in the middle of the night and the furnace is not working. Worse, wake at 5:00 a.m. and realize the furnace is fine but you have two empty 30lb propane canisters ... and you won't be able to refill until after 9:00 a.m. 
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Al & Karyl
'08 Sunset Trail ST29RL
Equal-i-zer hitch
'05 Ford F250 v10
Teknonsha P3 brake controller
K&N Air Intake
Flowmaster exhaust
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RanCar
Forum Family Vacation Camper
Joined: 15 Aug 2009
Location: Middle TN
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 131
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Posted: 07 Nov 2009 at 12:02am |
Originally posted by papa2
Did you keep the vents cracked open? No matter the outside temps it's important to have ventilation, which reduces or eliminates the condensation. |
We had 2 windows open about an inch (one at each end) since it was raining on and off. Rain comes in the ceiling vents. Tomorrow we're getting those covers so we can leave them open when it rains or drizzles. So yes, there was air movement.
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2008 ZT19RD
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RanCar
Forum Family Vacation Camper
Joined: 15 Aug 2009
Location: Middle TN
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 131
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Posted: 07 Nov 2009 at 12:09am |
Originally posted by fhenn
Get the Plastic bubble wrap, wet down the windows put it over the windows. This will give it all most the same r value as a double pane window. We learned this last year on my son's houst that was built in the 1930's. We use it in our cruiser
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I have bubble wrap left over from my greenhouse. Did you put the bubble side against the window? No need to wet the windows since they're wet as soon as the temp drops and the heat comes on. That's sure an ugly way, from outside and inside to solve the problem though and would block the outside view.
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2008 ZT19RD
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RanCar
Forum Family Vacation Camper
Joined: 15 Aug 2009
Location: Middle TN
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 131
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Quote Reply
Posted: 07 Nov 2009 at 12:31am |
Originally posted by mwebber78
With two adults in a smaller camper the combination of cooking, breathing, showering and perspiration is enough to overwhelm the area you have. It is critical to leave windows slightly cracked, vent slightly cracked, ventilate the bathroom when showering, remove wet towels from the trailer, use the cook stove vent fan, etc....
Good luck! |
Two windows were slightly open, more because of the strange smell when the furnace runs than for any other reason.  I suppose it's not broken in yet. It's not a propane smell. There's too much of a cold draft if the windows are open more than 1/2 to 1". The Zinger vents can't be opened when it drizzles or rains until we install those vent covers. It pings off the roof, hits under the vent covers, and drips down into the trailer.  We didn't cook or shower since it was only short weekends from Friday afternoon to Sunday morning. I just made drip coffee those 2 weekends. We almost never cook indoors no matter the weather. I have an outdoor set-up under the awning or in the screen room where I cook supper when we camp.  We don't eat breakfast. As for lunch, we have sandwiches. The stove and oven are still virgin.  I always carry one of those yellow wash-lines and hang anything damp outside. The condensation was from our bodies and breath alone. One cat was with us. Had we showered and cooked inside Zingie, we would have really had a problem with condensation way beyond what we could control. As it was I went through several towels and the rest soaked into the new curtains I just hung.
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2008 ZT19RD
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