How do you stop condensation in a hybrid trailer?

In this article, we will answer the following question: How do you stop condensation in a hybrid trailer? We will discuss the main causes of condensation in a hybrid trailer, and the best ways to beat it. 

​​How do you stop condensation in a hybrid trailer?

Stopping, or completely avoiding condensation in a hybrid trailer is unfortunately not possible because we have no influence on the weather conditions. There are different ways to reduce condensation, however:

1. Ventilate. When buying a trailer, choose one with plenty of ventilation options. You can reduce condensation by using ventilation openings, for example by opening the ventilation windows or the door. Use multiple ventilation points, one is not enough. 

2. A dehumidifier can also be the solution, it is a tank with granules that absorb moisture, condensation and unpleasant odours from the air. Check below our section on the best dehumidifier for a hybrid trailer.

3. Hot climate? Keep the hybrid trailer closed during the day! Are you going to camp in a hot area of the country? Make sure to keep the trailer as closed as possible during the day and ventilate it at night when the outside temperature drops. At home, in hot weather, you also leave everything closed and ventilate only in the evening. “Evening air” contains much less moisture. 

4. Keep wet things out of the trailer. Wet clothes or other wet items cause a lot of condensation. So leave them outside the trailer. Don’t you have the option? Pack wet items properly in a plastic bag so that air from wet items does not enter the hybrid trailer.

5. Don’t cook in your trailer. At home, you always cook with the hood that sucks in the cooking vapours. When camping with a hybrid trailer, you obviously don’t have a hood. It is, therefore, preferable to cook outside. The hot air from the cooking rises and cannot come out because the polyester canvas does not breathe.

6.  Avoid gas heating. As with cooking, a radiator also emits hot air, which increases the risk of condensation forming. So avoid heaters in your trailer.

How does condensation form inside a hybrid trailer?

Condensation can have at least five different causes:

• Temperature differences. This usually happens during rain showers. During a rain shower the temperature outside has dropped rapidly and you yourself often stay in the trailer. The trailer canvas cools from the outside and the warm air from the inside condenses inside the canvas. Condensation can cover the entire surface of the roof and therefore cause a lot of water.

• Exhalation/perspiration. At night you lose moisture while sleeping: on average 0.5 liters per person. If four of you sleep in a polyester trailer, for example, that means around 2 liters of water. This water will also condense against the outside.

• Hot air. In the summer in many countries, the humidity of the air during the day is generally high. If warm air enters the trailer during the day, this air contains an extremely high amount of moisture and condenses as soon as it cools. When you cook in the trailer, you also get a lot of hot air in the trailer.

• Wet or damp clothing. Were you outside during a rain shower and your clothes and shoes were soaked? Do not let them dry in your trailer, this will also cause condensation.

• The land. The soil breathes too. If you place the trailer on a lawn, condensation/steam will also emerge from the grass. The taller the grass, the more condensation you get in your trailer.

How to remove condensation from a hybrid trailer?

Option 1: This is the most basic, use an absorbent cloth or cloth and remove condensation manually from bottom to top to prevent water from falling on the dashboard, furniture or floor, drain and repeat until the surface is complete.

Option 2: Especially for the driver’s window. Use the vehicle’s ventilation, start the engine and select the demisting on the ventilation controls (the symbol is a trapezoid that simulates the front window with arrows inside pointing upwards that symbolize the air) and select a warm or hot air temperature.

Option 3: Use a squeegee to drag the condensation onto an absorbent material.

Option 4: Ventilate the vehicle, if the outside temperature and environment are drier than inside, open the windows and/or doors and wait for the condensation to dry or evaporate.

The best dehumidifiers for a hybrid trailer (comparative table)

As we already mentioned at the beginning of this article, a dehumidifier will help prevent mould, dampness and high humidity in a trailer.  See some examples below.

Dehumidifier model	Description
ANSIO interior Dehumidifier	It is easy to use. Ideal for rooms and spaces such as kitchens, bathrooms, living rooms, bedrooms, basements, caravans, boats or garages. The first drop appears in 1-3 weeks, depending on the humidity level. Absorbs up to 3 times its own weight in water.
Qxmcov Dehumidifier	The dehumidifier is equipped with a 900ml water tank, using Peltier module condensing technology, which can guarantee 300ml dehumidification every day (80% relative humidity at 25 ° C).It can help you reduce mould growth and clean the air.
UGHEY Portable Electric Dehumidifier	The 7-colour LED light set with this product is combined with a water tank with a translucent design, which makes the amount of dehumidification clear at the same time and increases the design aesthetics.
Aidodo Portable Electric Dehumidifier	This 900ml water tank dehumidifier can absorb water up to 300ml per day from humid air at 30 ℃ (86 ℉), RH80%. Perfect for use in the home, office, and small spaces such as a trailer.
YISS VIC Portable Silent Mini Dehumidifier	The YISS VIC air dehumidifier is ideal against allergies, bad odours and viruses. It can process 99.7% of the air, which solves the air problems caused by excess humidity by reducing the humidity in the air to help improve health.

The bottom line

Besides all the above-mentioned options, there are many other tricks and tips that campers use in order to keep their trailers and condensation free. If the humidity level regularly exceeds 70%, it can cause rust, mould, musty odour and rot. To remedy this, dehumidification must be carried regularly and using a good dehumidifier might be the best investment for your trailer and your health!

If you have any comments or questions about the content, please let us know!

FAQ on ​​How do you stop condensation in a hybrid trailer?

Where is the best place to put a dehumidifier?

The best place to put a dehumidifier is in the room you need it in most. Dehumidifiers are commonly placed in bedrooms, basements, laundry rooms, crawl spaces, and indoor pool areas since these areas often have moisture problems.

Should you leave a dehumidifier on all the time?

A dehumidifier needs to be on for at least 12 hours a day to see any changes. The number of hours varies according to the size of the room, the capacity of the dehumidifier and depends on one’s needs.

How do I keep my trailer damp-free?

To keep your trailer damp-free you must keep it ventilated at all times, shower outside when possible, cook with the windows/door open, don’t dry your laundry inside the caravan and invest in a good humidifier. 

Do pop up campers stay cool in summer?

Pop up campers are not known for staying cool in summer. In fact, the vice versa is more accurate: if you are not prepared, you will start sweating in your pop-up camper every summer night.

References

• 5 ways to reduce condensation in your camper trailer tent
• condensation inside the bunk end – Forest River Forums
• 5 ways to manage humidity in an RV | Life Lanes – Progressive