caravan parked up for 3 months

[darren_5041788]

Hi all just a quick question. Parking van up for 3 months and i have put a oil filled rad in on frost setting to try and min moisture during the lay up. Will be changing tyres end of March so not removing them. Just would like your thoughts
Daz

 

[RogerL]

For nearly 30 years our caravans have been parked up from November to February - we never remove upholstery, apply any heating or dehumidification but never had a problem with moisture/damp.
Others have problems with moisture but it's far more likely to be water ingress, ie leaks, rather than the natural moisure in ambient air.

 

[GeorgeandAde]

Ive always used a couple of those moisture crystal collection thingys.
Try to get to van and open it for airing for an hour or so every 2-3 weeks.
Never had a problem with damp or condensation.
Adrian

 

[Damian]

Roger is quite correct, if your van does not have any leaks, there is no need for any artificial "drying" agents.
The air is constantly changing inside the van due to the fixed ventilation so heating is a waste of money and moisture traps just take some of the water from the air, only to be replaced very shortly after by new air.......and on and on and on.

We , as Roger, never remove upholstery or mattresses and use no "aids" other than the vans own fixed ventilation and have never had any problems.

 

[GeorgeandAde]

Little bit confused..........If moisture traps just take "Some of the water from the air"......isnt this a good thing?

 

[Damian]

Quote"Little bit confused..........If moisture traps just take "Some of the water from the air"......isnt this a good thing"

It is neither good or bad, just totally innefective and a waste of money and time.
The "possibly" drier bit of air does not stay inside the van, it is replaced by fresh air every few minutes, so the moisture trap is very inadequately trying to dry the whole universe.

 

[Lutz]

I can only go along with Roger's reply. Having heating on throughout the lay-up period, albeit on frost setting, is rather a waste of energy and an unnecessary expense, at least so long as nothing is left inside which could freeze up. If at all, I would only consider putting heating on a day or two before the next caravanning season. This should be enough to remove a clammy feel inside when using the caravan again for the first time.

 

[Willi-Wonti]

I totally agree with Lutz.
We have taken all clothing & beding out of the van, stood the seat bases on their edges with the bed boxes open, internal lockers open so that air can circulate and drained all the water & left the taps open.
On nice sunny days I will open the door to air the van & when we are ready to go out again, put the heating on for a couple of hours to warm the van up ready for the clothes & beding