Condensation - Enough that it seems there is a leak

[islandr]

We were out for our first trip with our 05 17b.

The cool moist nights and one night of hard showers, with two people and two dogs breathing, the inside windows, the bathroom walls, and possibly the walls were covered in water droplets. Enough that it made the edge of the bed moist. Not sure if it filled the window sill then ran down.

The windows are only single pane and not the thermal versions. We were at the National Park so the were no hookups. Besides the noise I think running the MAXX fan would run down the battery especially with the furnace coming on during the night. We had some windows open just a crack

As a newby am I freaking out unnecessarily, is this a normal? Should I spray the trailer with a hose to check for a leak?

Please tell me your experiences.

Just saw the search feature and will read and learn.

 

[escape artist]

Hi: islandr...We Too have no thermal windows and only single layer insul. We always keep the MaxxFan open even without the fan running to let the warm moist air escape. We keep a synthetic chamois in a ziploc baggie for wiping the windows if needed. It's to hard to try and not breathe to prevent the condensation...so it just happens!!!
Make sure the drain slits and the track at the bottom of the windows are very clean and dust free to allow the rain water to flo out too!!! Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

 

[Hokie Escape]

Good advice from Alf! I remember getting the same thing with our Casita, even to the damp mattress edges. The key is limiting moisture as much as possible (don't cook inside...like boil, coffee, etc.) ... just don't stop breathing...ruins your weekend! The second key is getting rid of as much moisture as possible, ie. crack the windows and at least open the MaxxFan vent, and bath vent, but better, run it on low. Third key, when you can, replace the windows with double pane. Have fun!

 

[vermilye]

With the double pane windows & extra insulation and only one breathing human, overhead ventilation is still necessary if you want to prevent condensation. Even if I'm running the heat (electric or gas) I keep the Maxx fan cracked but don't run it. By the way, I've run the Maxx fan on low all night in hot weather without excessive draw down on the batteries - I have 2 6V & recharge them during the day with the solar option.

If you are going to spend any length of time without hookups, I suggest changing the lighting to LEDs. Makes a big difference.

 

[islandr]

Thanks for the tips everyone. After speaking to other RV ers at work as well it seems people breathing in their trailers in the fall is a common concern.

The more days we use our Escape the more we will find out about its characteristics