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Keeping moisture out of your RV during the cold months involves eliminating its cause. This requires you to do two things:
- Reduce the level of indoor humidity
- Reduce the number of cold surfaces in your RV
Here are 12 effective ways to do just that. Plus, I reveal the best way to rid your RV of moisture when in storage.
1. Run A Dehumidifier
Dehumidifiers remove moisture from the air by drawing warm air currents into their refrigerator coils. They come in a wide range of sizes, so be sure to get one that’s designed to fit in the confined space of your RV.
Pro Breeze Electric Mini Dehumidifier
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2. Use Your Vent Fans
When things start to feel humid, put your vent fans to use. Running a fan helps distribute air evenly and evaporate condensation. If you have your windows or vent open, a fan will help the humid air escape more quickly.
3. Avoid Hanging Things To Dry Indoors
Drying clothes inside your RV raises the humidity levels. If possible, dry your towels outside and consider using laundry room dryers during the colder months.
4. Open A Window Or Ceiling Vent
If the air inside your RV is more humid than the surrounding air, opening a window or ceiling vent allows some moisture to escape. You could invest in a small RV fan and run it two or three times a day to get the air moving. That’s especially critical when doing activities that create lots of water vapor, like cooking and showering.
5. Skip The Gas Furnace
Propane heaters are notorious for emitting lots of moisture. Consider switching to an electric heater that will keep your RV nice and dry.
Heat Storm Phoenix Infrared Space Heater
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Important: If you’re relying on your furnace to keep the RVs underbelly warm to prevent freezing, the furnace should be kept running.
6. Change The Way You Cook
Avoid using the stovetop as much as possible in winter. And when you do, keep things covered to reduce the steam released by pots or pans on the stove.
Other effective options include:
- Outdoor cooking: Cooking out in the open eliminates steam issues inside your RV.
- Instant Pot: Using this electric device instead of a stovetop can significantly reduce the amount of moisture in your RV. Just be sure to release the pressure outdoors.
- RV oven: Ovens produce much less moisture compared to stoves. That said, propane ovens may produce some steam, so choosing a convection oven is a better option.
7. Raise The Temperature
Since condensation forms when warm and cold air meets, raising indoor temperatures can reduce moisture in your RV. Higher indoor temperatures raise the temperature of cold surfaces, such as your windows, thus slowing down the condensation process.
Be sure to use dry heat sources when raising the temperature. For example, your RV heat pump or an electric heater. These types of heat sources do not add moisture to the air like propane heaters.
Heat Storm Phoenix Infrared Space Heater
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8. Insulate RV Slide-Outs
Adding an extra layer of insulation under and/or around your slide seals can also make a difference in sealing any drafts. One way to do this is to tape some foam board to the bottom of all your slides. That will make a significant difference in the temperature of the air near the floor.
9. Open The Cabinet Doors
Moisture tends to build up in small enclosed spaces. Opening your cabinet doors regularly when it’s cold will help circulate air and equalize the temperatures. It will also help avoid the growth of mold and mildew caused by trapped moisture.
10. Insulate The Floor
Insulating the floors on your vehicle can help raise the temperature and help to keep your camper warm in winter. In combination with proper air circulation, this can help by warming up areas where condensation is likely to form.
Some effective ways to keep your floor warmer include:
- Skirting your RV
- Installing foam board insulation underneath your flooring
- Installing automotive insulation underneath your flooring
11. Cover The Windows
Most times, the moisture in your RV will end up on the windows. That’s because the cold air outside lowers the windows’ temperature, causing water droplets to form. Insulating the windows can help to fix the issue.
Frost King Indoor Shrink Window Kit
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Upgrading to energy-efficient, double pane windows is another great way to insulate your camper for winter and reduce condensation. If it fits your budget and makes sense in the long run, I highly recommend it. If not, then simply insulating your RV windows with a shrink kit is a good alternative.
Check our guide on how to insulate RV windows for winter living for more tips!
12. Use The Campground’s Facilities
Hot showers are among the leading causes of moisture buildup in motorhomes. If possible, skip the shower in your RV and use the campsite bathhouse as often as possible.
Bonus Tip
The best way to effectively rid your RV of condensation is to experiment with the various options above and see what combination works best for your vehicle.
And don’t make it a guessing game. Buy an indoor hygrometer and measure the humidity levels in your RV. If they are above 50%, you definitely have an issue.
ThermoPro TP50 Digital Hygrometer
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After you’ve experimented with a few of the options, check your hygrometer and see if there’s any improvement. This will help you identify what the problem was and what worked to fix it.
How To Get Rid Of Condensation In Your RV When It’s In Storage
Protecting your mobile home from condensation while it’s parked is a lot easier than reducing humidity levels while it’s in use. That’s because any activities significantly contributing to moisture production, such as showering and cooking, are no longer an issue when the rig is in storage.
Related: How to Prevent Mold in Your RV During Storage
Moreover, there’s no need to run the heater when your RV is parked, so the temperature differential between inside and outside air is minimal, making condensation less likely.
Nonetheless, there’s no harm in taking extra precautionary steps to protect your RV from excess moisture.
A simple trick is to use a moisture absorber product like DampRid.
DampRid Fresh Scent Hanging Bag Absorber
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DampRid controls humidity levels by trapping any excess moisture that forms in your RV.
Pro Tip: Hang the DampRid moisture bags inside cabinets, closets, and other enclosed spaces. Replace once the crystals have been completely dissolved.