I live in Ireland, where the weather can change every few hours. Lately, I’ve been struggling with condensation in the back of my van, especially as the temperatures have dropped. It’s gotten bad enough that I’ve had to remove anything fabric-like because of mildew and mould.
Last night was particularly cold, and I woke up to find the roof inside the van covered in ice. When it melted, it was like it had rained inside.
I’m not putting wet stuff in the van, and I’ve tried cracking the front windows for airflow, but with the bulkhead, it doesn’t seem to help. I park in a communal area, so running a dehumidifier with a wire isn’t an option. The small disposable dehumidifier tubs I’ve tried don’t seem to make any difference.
The van is fitted with wooden shelves, so I can’t insulate the entire interior as some have suggested. Does anyone have advice on how to deal with this?
@Keaton
I’ve thought about installing one of those spinning roof vents, but I’ve read mixed reviews. It’s been a nightmare—today, after the sun shone on the van, it felt like it had rained inside. The ice melted and just added to the damp.
@Marshall
Ah, I see. On warm dry days, try to air everything out. If you ever have access to a covered space, leave it open with a couple of space heaters running.
How often are you in the van? Condensation usually comes from temperature differences, but if everything is generally dry and you’re not spending long periods inside, it might be worth checking for leaks.
I had to reseal the factory bolts on my roof because they were letting in moisture. You might want to inspect yours too.
@Keaton
The vent I’m considering is one of those mushroom-shaped ones that spin. Unfortunately, I don’t have access to a covered space, but I’ll try airing it out more often.
I’m only in the van for about 40 minutes a day, so it might be the temperature drops at night causing the worst of it. I’ll have to empty it soon to check for mould, so I’ll hose it down then to see if there are leaks. Thanks for the advice.
@Marshall
That makes sense. There are lots of vent and fan options out there.
If you’re not using the van much and the items inside aren’t really wet, a leak seems likely. When you inspect the roof, look closely at the seals around any bolts or joins. If you’re in a safe area, you could crack the windows and run a space heater with a fan to help dry things out. It’s not perfect but might make a difference until you add a vent.
@Keaton
I’ve definitely put in gear that was lightly rained on before, but nothing soaked. A leak does sound likely, so I’ll inspect it tomorrow. I also got a dehumidifier today to try and speed up drying things out—it’s supposed to get below freezing again tonight, so I don’t want it to get worse. I think adding a vent will be a must eventually since some of the equipment is packed tightly and doesn’t get much air circulation.
How much are you willing to spend to warm and dry the van? European camper vans often use diesel heaters, which are effective. You could also try a portable propane heater, but make sure you’ve got proper ventilation.
It might also help to check if you have a heater core leak or a clogged heater drain, as those can raise humidity levels.
@Rowan
I’m not looking to spend too much, but my father-in-law has a diesel heater in his van conversion, so I’ll ask him for advice. I’ll also look into heater leaks—though I haven’t noticed anything obvious, I wouldn’t know what to look for.
@Marshall
If your coolant levels aren’t dropping and you don’t notice a sweet smell, you’re probably fine. Check under the van for a small drain hose near the dashboard area. If the AC or windshield defroster has been used, water should drip from it. If it’s clogged, the water can end up inside instead.
@Rowan
Thanks for the tip! I haven’t noticed any drop in coolant, so that’s a relief. I bought a dehumidifier today to tackle the dampness for now. Hopefully, it makes a difference while I sort out the rest.