Moisture!

[Adam G 1330]

Any good suggestions on reducing the moisture factor during winter? Im in the process of making thermo wrap window insulation and lining ceiling, sides etc but I guess a large contributer to moisture is a lack of ventilation? (I have a sunroof i open whilst cooking ). Would installing an air vent in the roof help much? Or is it better to sleep with a side window a little open? I imagine the extra heat lost through a window would be worse than the moisture ( i wake up with wet hair!)

[jamesandtheopenroad]

I'm gonna try getting one of the moisture trap thingies - you know, with the sorts of crystal you get in those sachets in your shoes.

They do big ones for kitchens and bathrooms. Might work.

[Ian Hulley]

These are available from c*****n accessory shops ... so I'm told other peeps use a bowl of salt. I just drive mine instead

Ian

[silverbullet]

For control of storage damp, a bucket of dishwasher salt works wonders (I got this trick of father-in-law, a white shed-dragger)
Plus it can be dried out again in the oven. Not sure about it's application for overnight moisture though...

[kevtherev]

Those moisture traps will try to absorb the entire water content of the planet...unless your van is hermetically sealed from the outside atmosphere.

[jamesandtheopenroad]

These are available from c*****n accessory shops

Ooh, what are these - the ***'s make it sound naughty!

[Ian Hulley]

These are available from c*****n accessory shops

Ooh, what are these - the ***'s make it sound naughty!

C*R*V*N*
*A*A*A*S

No I just can't type the 'C' word

Ian

[Plasticman]

S'bullet sums it up rather eloquently
mm

[LittleMissSunshine]

Would rice work??

[kevtherev]

in a paella yes..

just not in a van

[Plasticman]

Dry heat, gas fires give out too much moisture, get a cheapo oil filled radiator type thing, I have one its up to about 1kw, I set it about half way and the stat does the job,
that said,insulation and holes filled up helps but at the same time you need a bit of ventilation. just use the van,thats easiest.
mm

[zed]

I have loads of holes in my van so air circulates year round

The moisture traps and dishwasher salt does work but they will fill up quick if your van is well ventilated like mine. I have used them in project cars in the past.
I drive my van every week or two or put the blown air heating or electric fan heater on for an hour or two.

[jamesandtheopenroad]

I think I've got the wrong end of this thread. I presumed you meant for winter camping - to stop the old condensation in the morning.

My kitchen grill works as ventilation and I drive it all year. Just got into winter camping, so will still get a moisture trap to try and reduce the morning moistness.

[Ralf85]

If as you say you are sleeping in the van the oil filled rad ploy works, if you have electric hook up. I would always leave the upstairs vent slightly open to help dissipate the moist air you breathe out during the night because it is you that is causing the problem. Alternatively if you are hard core you could sleep outside to prevent the problem arising. Can't think of any other remedies. Sorry.

Patrick