Getting rid of winter moisture

[ae6black]

I built my TD for Winter camping. Very easy to heat and comfortable even when it's very cold outside. A problem I've noticed with winter camping is that when it's really could out, especially below O, I tend to pick up frost and condensation around my metal doors and window. This really becomes a problem in cold weather when the foam mattress freezes to the TD Walls near the floor where my little electric heater can't heat the wall due to the mattress being in contact with the wall. I've noticed some discoloration of my interior wood siding below the door. It's got Polyurethene on it but apparently this isn't enough to keep the moisture from the door and window metal surfaces from entering my interior siding which is only made out of luan that has been polyurethaned. What I have just tried to allieviate this problem has been to cut my mattress into thirds so when it's in storage, the mattress parts can be stacked in the center of the TD, so that air can get to the walls where the mattress had prevented air circulation. Does anybody else have any ideas?

Art

[BrwBier]

The moisture comes from breathing, so if you could stop that, problem solved. Or better ventilation is the best answer. Some fresh air near the head end will help but not completely stop the moisture. That's the best I got right now.
Brwbier

[Kharn]

Put a 100w lightbulb under a coffee can in the trailer.
The light will heat the can and drive moisture out of the trailer.

[48Rob]

Art,

Your post is somewhat confusing...

You state that you have a moisture problem when camping, but are trying to correct it while it is in storage?
Do you have the problem when it is in storage, or when you are camping?

As Brwbier suggests, the majority of cold weather condensation in a small enclosed area like a camper comes from the occupants.
Cooking and showers and the contribute as well, but in a teardrop without them breathing alone will do it.

Ventilation is the key to solving the issue.

The other possibility is to isolate the metal/cold exterior surfaces from the interior ones...very difficult after a structure is built.
If you did isolate them, then you may have air leaks around them which are causing them to become colder than the other interior surfaces.
The condensation occurs because your warm moist breath is contacting the cold surfaces.
The two choices are; have no cold surfaces, or get the moisture out.

I don't know how you varnished your wall panels, but most built the trailer, install the windows, and varnish what they can see/will be seen.
The problem with this is that the condensation will find its way under the metal window frame and seep into the untreated end grain/edges of the paneling.
If there is enough moisture present, it will get behind the paneling condense on the siding and soak it from behind (since most give little to no thought to using a vapor retarder if using stick frame construction) and in some cases will travel through a lightly varnished surface.
Using a single sheet of plywood for the walls is an easy way to build, but is not a good choice for cold weather camping.

Leaving the roof vent cracked open, along with a window slightly cracked open will generally solve the issues.
(for air to get out, it needs to be replaced, thus two holes, an inlet and outlet)

Rob

[ae6black]

Rob you are right, the moisture is coming from when there are occupants in the trailer in cold weather. Frost actually forms on the metal surface of the door and on the inner walls where the mattress keeps the heated air from getting to the walls. My problem and I think you may have identified the issue as being the moisture is being drawn behind my 1/4 inch plywood inside wall covering which probably wasn't sealed as good as it should have been on the inside before installation. I did treat it with something that was supposed to retard growth of mold and what not for fifteen years, but didn't use poly on the inside because it was too cold for it to properly set up when I built my unit. I did use poly on the inside walls later after that phase of construction when it warmed up. Another problem may be I initially used a water based polyurethene because being ashmatic, I didn't want to smell the stuff for months after application. What I was thinking about was drying up the trailer once the camping is over. I think this would take care of the issue now that it's being stored inside an unheated garage when it's not being used. Thanks for responding.

Art

[ae6black]

That light bulb in a coffee can sounds doable and a fix I hadn't thought of. Lets make sure I have the concept down. Basically the coffee can is like a metal light shade that will heat up which in turn will draw moisture from the "closed" trailer? How long would you leave the thing on and in there to drive out the moisture after each camping trip?

Art

[Kharn]

Boaters leave the bulb on continuously to keep their cabins dry.
The heat pushes the moisture out of the trailer and makes air flow since the bulb isn't at the highest point in the ceiling.

[ae6black]

thanks!

[abqlloyd]

If you have electric heat you have electricity. Maybe some heat tape in the dead zones. Just tape them up and plug them in.

[nevadatear]

We also you a reusable moisture reduction device. It plugs in to recharge, then soaks up some of the moisture in the air while camping and afterwards.

[jstrubberg]

You could also use a coupe of containers of Damp Rid, as long as the temps aren't below freezing.

[ae6black]

Thanks regarding the light in the can, is this sort of what you mean? Hope the picture posts, I am not real good at working with pictures.

Art

[johnnail]

I think I'd buy a "golden rod" Gunsafe heater. the lightbulb deal doesn't look too safe to me

[Rainier70]

If you already have an electric heater running, an extra lightbulb "heater" probably isn't needed. Open a vent to vent some of your moisture out. The dehumidifier is also a good idea.

I also meant to say that you might try putting some thin spacers between your mattress and the walls so that moisture can get out.

[Kharn]

Thanks regarding the light in the can, is this sort of what you mean? Hope the picture posts, I am not real good at working with pictures.

Art

They put the can upside down so the light doesn't illuminate the cabin.