7 tips for reducing condensation
Most campers experience condensation in their awnings from time to time. Here are 7 tips on what you can do to minimise it.
You automatically produce condensation when you're inside your awning. There are also other sources of moisture that cause condensation in your awning, such as wet footwear, wet clothing, dogs, cooking and warm air (which is more humid than cold air).
Condensation almost always appears on the roof, collecting around the poles. This is why people often make the mistake of thinking their awnings are leaking. You can eliminate condensation problems by:
- Using a waterproof underlay inside the awning. Place a ground sheet under the carpet inside the awning. This will help to keep moisture in the soil away from your awning. See Isabella’s layer upon layer flooring concept.
- Making sure you ventilate inside your awning. Use the ventilation options in your awning (and that includes when it's raining). Allowing the air to circulate well reduces humidity inside your awning.
- Storing wet items outside the awning. Wet towels, boots, swimwear, etc. Keep wet things out of your tent.
- Not cooking inside your awning. Cooking releases large amounts of moisture into the air.
- Turning off heaters. Heating the air inside your awning will increase water vapour in the air, as warm air supports more moisture.
- Not pitching your tent too close to water. Rivers, lakes, etc. increase humidity. Make sure to stay a little further away from water sources in order to reduce condensation.
- Bringing extra towels along. It's almost impossible to avoid condensation in some weathers. You can reduce condensation by using the tips above and carrying a few extra towels with you to wipe away condensation.