Cold and damp

[viv]

We took the Romahome out this weekend and stayed as usual in our son's back garden. They did offer us a bed but we wanted to see what it was like in the winter in the van with no hook up.

Usually we only take out the bedding after trips and leave the van stocked up with all the other paraphernalia. Well the van had not been out for a couple of months and we had left clean towels in there, they were dampish so had to change them (quite obvious really). When we went to bed the cushions felt really damp. We usually leave the TV in there as well and his has highlighted that perhaps for the Winter we should keep the van empty and fill up only if we actually go away. I think this includes loose seat covers as well.

Next time we go in bad weather we will run a fan heater from the house for a few hours before we go off, just to dry it out a bit. We will also run the heating for an hour or so before we go to bed. Things like the kitchen rolls and tea towels were all damp as well. Also our clothes felt damp in the morning but half an hour with the heating on should have helped with this.

I am glad we did this as a trial run as I know for next time what would be helpful. The only other problem was the condensation on the windows and extra kitchen roll would sort that. Apart from that there seems to be no problem with the damp weather for a day or so but would only go to a campsite with hook up being available.


Viv

[cil]

I went camping this weekend - it was lovely; you'd never have guessed it was January!

It gets driven daily as it is my only vehicle, and it will have to do about 20,000 miles a year through work and leisure use. That's probably what keeps it dry and aired. So far the only damp problem I have had was when I overfilled the watertank and didn't put the inside cap back on properly (it is a bit of a bu**er) so it overflowed when I went round a sharp corner! The van smelt a bit nasty - wet carpet nasty- for a week or so until it dried out.

Perhaps you could use yours more in the winter for odd trips to the supermarket etc with the heating on?

By the way... Happy New Year to you both! Hope to see you in the Spring.

[yamaha]

Viv

I know what you mean about damp this time of the year - last winter I used a mains powered dehumidifier in our Hylo several times - I was lucky enough to have a drive to park it on, and access to mains.

They certainly are effective at removing excess moisture, and they seem to have come down in price somewhat since we bought ours - I recon I extracted about 1 litre each time I used it - so they do work!!

Mike

[viv]

Hi Yamaha
thanks Yamaha
Roughly how much are these things? I can't bear to think I could be sleeping on 1 Ltr of water when I am in bed. Actually Iwas warm enough but it was probably damp and not so good at Terry's age.
So you use it before you go and for how long.
Any suggestions as to where to get on from economically that is?

Viv

[viv]

Hi Cil,
Happy New year to you.
I suppose I could use it more but I have to say it is easier just to use the Focus. Also I have to turn it around in the drive and I am a bit lazy and it is easier to do a three point turn in the drive in the Focus!! I don't like reversing out of the drive in the van, too many maniac drivers round here.

Anyway it will certainly be used at the Spring meet along with our new awning I hope.!!!

Viv

[yamaha]

Hi Viv

Well, a quick look in the Argos catalogue shows one at £80 - suggest trying B&Q - Focus - Homebase type stores also. You may come across some cheap units that use silica-gel type crystals - avoid like the plague - they are useless and very messy!

It is possible to hire one if you're on a tight budget - but they are a very useful piece of kit for the house, also - drying out carpets when they've been cleaned, or if you happen to have a room that's a bit damp.

Mike

[viv]

Thanks Yamaha

Useful info about the silica gel ones.

I will have a look but it depends I suppose on how much use I will make of it as I do not intend camping in the wet and cold a lot. I don't think our house will ever get damp as we have to have the heating on full pelt 24 hours a day sometimes even in the summer as Terry feels the cold badly.

I have to say though that thinking about how damp the van was it was never going to dry out just by having the heating on and it is obviously not good to sleep in the damp even though it did warm up.

[Derek]

Hi All

Got me stirred up now, the little oil filled rad is out in the camper. Bit of condensation on the inside of the screen this afternoon so things were a little damp, not too bad though. We drive it out every couple of weeks to keep things moving, charge the batt, etc. Give the heater a good blast this time of year as well. We keep the awning in there but take out the bedding, clothes and towels, most of the other kit stays in there. No probs up to now.

Derek

[Jack]

Hmmm, This problem of damp in the members' Romahomes bothers me. I use my Romahome every day as a second vehicle, my wife taking our Renault Clio to work, I get water in the rear well after rain, don't we all, but not damp, seems to me there is a lack of ventilation in the vehicles. C15 owners can always leave the dashboard vents open, can't speak for the Berlingo, but ventilation will help stop the damp. Check the roof vents for any leaks, always use a non-drying mastic around the seals,check that the windows are fitting tightly, check for signs of rain ingress on the side wall upholstery. Ant, from Avon MC, told me about the rear door seal, make sure it fits all the way round and is in contact with the corresponding black plastic beading on the door itself. Shame about the windy weather, we were going to go up to Shepton Mallet this week-end, to the first of the RV shows, we'll go to Truro instead, I think. Nice to have a choice, with nice accomodation,,,,,,J&P,Cornwall