Newbie question

[ktackel]

Hi just found this site about a week ago and it seems to be a great resource. Anyway, we just bought a "new" 05 Rockwood Premier 2516G And took it out for a 2 night getaway because we could not wait to use it!

We have camped with Friends and I would stay in a tent with my 2 daughters and my wife stayed in our friends camper with our 3yr old boy, we did this a few times and we were hooked.

Well on to my question, the first night we went we had the air conditioner on and some windows cracked and a fan blowing into each bed area but our sheets and pillows were very damp. I looked up a few things on this forum and saw people talking about Damp-rid so I picked up some on the afternoon of the second day and opened a few more windows a few inches each, still damp. What am I missing? I feel like I have done everything, I can't imagine that this is just the way it is... Is it?

In my head I think if I open windows any further then I am just letting more humid air in. Do I need to suck it up until we can afford a travel trailer and a larger truck to tow with? I am all for a new truck but really want to make this popup work.

Any help is appreciated!

[wavery]

Hi just found this site about a week ago and it seems to be a great resource. Anyway, we just bought a "new" 05 Rockwood Premier 2516G And took it out for a 2 night getaway because we could not wait to use it!

We have camped with Friends and I would stay in a tent with my 2 daughters and my wife stayed in our friends camper with our 3yr old boy, we did this a few times and we were hooked.

Well on to my question, the first night we went we had the air conditioner on and some windows cracked and a fan blowing into each bed area but our sheets and pillows were very damp. I looked up a few things on this forum and saw people talking about Damp-rid so I picked up some on the afternoon of the second day and opened a few more windows a few inches each, still damp. What am I missing? I feel like I have done everything, I can't imagine that this is just the way it is... Is it?

In my head I think if I open windows any further then I am just letting more humid air in. Do I need to suck it up until we can afford a travel trailer and a larger truck to tow with? I am all for a new truck but really want to make this popup work.

Any help is appreciated!

Air conditioners are designed to operate in a fairly air tight environment. When there is no new outside air introduced, it does an excellent job of removing moisture.

Opening your windows with the AC on is not a good idea. In fact, you should look around for openings and stuff towels, dirty socks or anything else that you can find in them. I always run duct tape along the crack between the body of the camper and the door frame.

[AustinBoston]

Well on to my question, the first night we went we had the air conditioner on and some windows cracked and a fan blowing into each bed area but our sheets and pillows were very damp. I looked up a few things on this forum and saw people talking about Damp-rid so I picked up some on the afternoon of the second day and opened a few more windows a few inches each, still damp. What am I missing? I feel like I have done everything, I can't imagine that this is just the way it is... Is it?

In my head I think if I open windows any further then I am just letting more humid air in. Do I need to suck it up until we can afford a travel trailer and a larger truck to tow with? I am all for a new truck but really want to make this popup work.

First, welcome to PUT!

Opening the windows and running the a/c should be an either/or thing.  Even if the windows are only open a small amount, they can let in more moisture than the a/c can deal with.  I would close the windows completely when the a/c is running; the a/c output air is dryer than what is goming in through the windows.

Turn off the a/c and open the windows when cooking in the pop-up, or better yet, don't cook in the pop-up in hot, humid weather.

Make sure other gas burning appliances (such as the hot water heater) are venting outside and not leaking exhaust into the pop-up.  Sometimes the first indication of trouble with exhaust from these devices is that everything "dews up."

Damp-rid is usually used to prevent condensation during storage.  It takes time to work, and will be overwhelmed by a pop-up that is in active use.

Austin

[ktackel]

First, welcome to PUT!

Opening the windows and running the a/c should be an either/or thing.  Even if the windows are only open a small amount, they can let in more moisture than the a/c can deal with.  I would close the windows completely when the a/c is running; the a/c output air is dryer than what is goming in through the windows.

Turn off the a/c and open the windows when cooking in the pop-up, or better yet, don't cook in the pop-up in hot, humid weather.

Make sure other gas burning appliances (such as the hot water heater) are venting outside and not leaking exhaust into the pop-up.  Sometimes the first indication of trouble with exhaust from these devices is that everything "dews up."

Damp-rid is usually used to prevent condensation during storage.  It takes time to work, and will be overwhelmed by a pop-up that is in active use.

Austin

Thanks for the replies,

I agree and that is what I thought but it was after having the air on in the evening with windows closed that we felt the dampness when we were going to bed, that is when I cracked a few windows thinking maybe I still need to do that for some fresh air (going against my judgement of what an air conditioner does.)

Maybe I just need to be more diligent on checking for spots where outside air can get in. Of course a popup will not be air tight but I can double check next time it is up.

So what you are both telling me is, I can reasonably expect to have dry sheets for the most part unless we are in rain or extreme humid conditions?