When you use your RV in the summer, you may spend some of your vacation days sweating – even when you’re just watching TV. This typically happens when the humidity in your RV rises above 60-65%, with temperatures over 20 degrees Celsius. With its fibreglass construction and the use of plastic throughout its interior, your RV is great at trapping humidity. However, there are ways to manage the humidity in an RV for a more comfortable retreat using a few simple tricks.
What is High Humidity in an RV?
Humidity refers to the amount of water suspended in the surrounding air. When the humidity reaches 100%, it rains, or dew collects on surfaces.
When the humidity is above 60% inside your RV, you won’t feel comfortable. The sheets, floors, and even the couch will feel sticky. High humidity leads to the buildup of mould and rust, and it can damage systems.
You can determine your humidity level with a battery-operated indoor/outdoor weather station with temperature and humidity options. Just hang it on the wall away from doors and windows for the most accurate reading.
Now, how do you lower the humidity in your RV?
Open the Ceiling Vents
Steam from cooking and showers wants to rise. Make sure to pop your tops as often as possible to allow fresh air to enter the RV from the windows and doors and escape out the roof.
The motion of fresh air also acts as a natural evaporator as it passes over damp surfaces.
Run Your RV Fans
If you are dry camping, your roof vents usually include a simple exhaust fan that will run off the battery. The fans will help to improve the evaporation of excess humidity by pushing air out the top of the RV.
Cook and Shower Outside the RV when Possible
Hot showers and boiling pasta will immediately raise the RV humidity level. Use your outdoor kitchen or grill to prepare meals whenever possible. Also, take advantage of the campground shower facilities. A hot shower will use up to 80 litres of steaming water. Some of that is going to get trapped in your bathroom and RV.
Hang Your Clothes Outside to Dry
When you’re camping on a hot day, everyone loves to take a dip in the campground pool, lake or ocean. The towels and swimsuits need to dry off somewhere but doing it in your RV adds more moisture to the air. Instead, run a clothesline off your ladder to a nearby tree and take advantage of Mother Nature’s free drying service.
If your RV is equipped with a washer/dryer, think about hanging the clothes outside after the wash cycle. A load of wet clothes will still have up to 10 litres of water before the dry cycle. All that humidity could be sent outside.
Use Your RV Air Conditioner for Cool, Dry Air
Air conditioners are excellent at lowering humidity. Escape the hazy, hot, humid air during mid-summer by switching on the AC. You’ll notice a little stream of water running off your RV roof as the air conditioner extracts moisture and the temperature lowers.
The big drawback of running the AC in your RV is that it uses a lot of power. You’ll need a 50 amp hookup or a 3500-watt generator to produce enough juice.
Dehumidifiers are an Imperfect Option
Most of us camp during the summer when it’s hot and humid. A dehumidifier will do a great job bringing the humidity in your RV down, but it will also pump hot air back into the space. This is a good option if you’re camping in the fall or winter when parked next to the ocean or lake.
Dehumidifiers use a little less power than an air conditioner and they cost less, too.
DampRid or Renewable Water Absorbent Crystals
Finally, when you store your RV for the winter, adding a bag of DampRid to every closet and storage bin can help control humidity. The crystals passively absorb water from the air, preventing stale odours from getting into your upholstery, carpets, and mattresses. It doesn’t provide enough absorption to make a big difference during a humid summer.
Caring for Your Camper All Year Long
Taking steps to manage the humidity in your RV is just part of protecting your home away from home. Make sure you have the right RV insurance policy so you can keep rolling no matter what the open road brings. Call 1-844-929-4768 and a Wayfarer Insurance broker will be happy to help review your policy, or provide a quote.
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