Keeping Your Van Dry in Winter

 
 
 
 
 
 
Vertico
Love's the Craic
Avatar
Gender:
Location: Boyle roscommon
Age: 51
Posts: 120
Registered: 09 / 2019
My Motorhome: Ci Riviera 181
Base Vehicle: Transit 2001
Subject:

Re: Keeping Your Van Dry in Winter

 · 
Posted: 15.10.2019  ·  #41
Something like that


Ally
Founder
Avatar
Gender:
Location: Muckamore, Antrim
Age: 55
Homepage: motorhomecraic.com
Posts: 32599
Registered: 08 / 2011
My Motorhome: Lunar Roadstar 780
Base Vehicle: Fiat 2.8 JTD
Subject:

Re: Keeping Your Van Dry in Winter

 · 
Posted: 15.10.2019  ·  #42
Yeah. Although ours is a lot thinner and half the watts nearly.


TommyS
Eat's Sleep's craic
Avatar
Gender:
Location: Co Armagh
Age: 20
Posts: 2094
Registered: 10 / 2017
My Motorhome: EuraMobil
Base Vehicle: Fiat
Subject:

Re: Keeping Your Van Dry in Winter

 · 
Posted: 15.10.2019  ·  #43
In the really cold weather I run a 300 watt greenhouse heater in the double floor and leave the trap doors open and never had a problem with damp.


sprinter
Eat's Sleep's craic
Avatar
Gender:
Location: Co Wicklow
Age: 92
Posts: 7387
Registered: 01 / 2015
My Motorhome: Matilda 2 Pilote 703FP Explorateur
Base Vehicle: 3ltr 318 Sprinter Automatic
Subject:

Keeping Your Van Dry in Winter

 · 
Posted: 16.10.2019  ·  #44
Was that a 3pin to 2 pin adaptor in one of the photos ?
You will have to check the wiring feeding the back of the socket ,a bad connection could cause the same thing.


sprinter
Eat's Sleep's craic
Avatar
Gender:
Location: Co Wicklow
Age: 92
Posts: 7387
Registered: 01 / 2015
My Motorhome: Matilda 2 Pilote 703FP Explorateur
Base Vehicle: 3ltr 318 Sprinter Automatic
Subject:

Re: Keeping Your Van Dry in Winter

 · 
Posted: 16.10.2019  ·  #45
Quote by Vertico

 



That looks like a 3 pin x 2 pin adaptor with a 3 pin heater plug? is your van fitted with euro two-pin sockets?
Have you checked the adaptor was capable of taking the load drawn by the heater?
It would be advisable to check the socket it was plugged into there may be burning damage there also and a bad/ loose connection could have caused the whole problem.


Eyore
Love's the Craic
Avatar
Gender: n/a
Location: Co Clare
Age: 63
Posts: 152
Registered: 08 / 2018
My Motorhome: Homebuilt Campervan.
Base Vehicle: Citroen Relay
Subject:

Re: Keeping Your Van Dry in Winter

 · 
Posted: 16.10.2019  ·  #46
Quote by Droffats

We always use a domestic dehumidifier that is powered from the house mains and time used to switch on for four hours per day. It does a super job - everything bone dry. If purchasing a dehumidifier make sure that it will come on without pressing the button on the machine. The newer ones tend to be digital and will not switch on from timer. We found dehumidifier a lot better than a heater. A heater will not remove moisture.


Agree entirely, that works for us too.


Vertico
Love's the Craic
Avatar
Gender:
Location: Boyle roscommon
Age: 51
Posts: 120
Registered: 09 / 2019
My Motorhome: Ci Riviera 181
Base Vehicle: Transit 2001
Subject:

Re: Keeping Your Van Dry in Winter

 · 
Posted: 16.10.2019  ·  #47
Yes a 3 pin plug into a 2 pin adapter... I'll check it out later


sprinter
Eat's Sleep's craic
Avatar
Gender:
Location: Co Wicklow
Age: 92
Posts: 7387
Registered: 01 / 2015
My Motorhome: Matilda 2 Pilote 703FP Explorateur
Base Vehicle: 3ltr 318 Sprinter Automatic
Subject:

Keeping Your Van Dry in Winter

 · 
Posted: 16.10.2019  ·  #48
Something went a bit haywire this morning it timed out before the post submitted now it shows multi posts please remove.


Ally
Founder
Avatar
Gender:
Location: Muckamore, Antrim
Age: 55
Homepage: motorhomecraic.com
Posts: 32599
Registered: 08 / 2011
My Motorhome: Lunar Roadstar 780
Base Vehicle: Fiat 2.8 JTD
Subject:

Re: Keeping Your Van Dry in Winter

 · 
Posted: 16.10.2019  ·  #49
You can delete your own posts, use the drop down list.


The Rambler
Eat's Sleep's craic
Avatar
Gender:
Location: Galway
Age: 50
Posts: 2346
Registered: 07 / 2017
My Motorhome:
Base Vehicle: Vauxhall Movano 2.5 CDTI
Subject:

Re: Keeping Your Van Dry in Winter

 · 
Posted: 16.10.2019  ·  #50
I don’t think there is any evidence to suggest that your breaker would have tripped before your heater went on fire Vertico. That was a lucky catch indeed.


Gavster
Eat's Sleep's craic
Avatar
Gender:
Location: Newry, Co Down
Age: 45
Posts: 997
Registered: 11 / 2016
My Motorhome: LMC Liberty 630R (LHD)
Base Vehicle: Fiat Ducato 2.5 TD
Subject:

Re: Keeping Your Van Dry in Winter

 · 
Posted: 16.10.2019  ·  #51
I have my Motorhome in a purpose built rooted shelter which is covered on 3 sides with Yorkshire cladding on the 2 sides for ventilation all round. I keep my roof vents popped open to to ensure plenty of ventilation as it is completely sheltered from the rain. Am I doing more harm than good or should I just keep them closed as the van is well enough ventilated as it is? I didn’t want to keep it in a completely closed shed as ventilation would be poor. I keep a good eye on it and all seems fine. I have a few polycarbonate panels on the walls of the shelter so the sunlight can still hit it from most sides at some point in the day - directly into the open fridge etc. Poor starlings miss using the van for target practice..


Vertico
Love's the Craic
Avatar
Gender:
Location: Boyle roscommon
Age: 51
Posts: 120
Registered: 09 / 2019
My Motorhome: Ci Riviera 181
Base Vehicle: Transit 2001
Subject:

Re: Keeping Your Van Dry in Winter

 · 
Posted: 16.10.2019  ·  #52
Quote by The Rambler

I don’t think there is any evidence to suggest that your breaker would have tripped before your heater went on fire Vertico. That was a lucky catch indeed.

Very lucky indeed..


rustynutz
Craic'er
Avatar
Gender: n/a
Age: 45
Posts: 48
Registered: 10 / 2014
My Motorhome: Eura-mobil Integra 810
Base Vehicle: 2003 Fiat Ducato
Subject:

Re: Keeping Your Van Dry in Winter

 · 
Posted: 06.11.2019  ·  #53
I have mine out on the street at the moment and am just after finding the source of a small leak and fixing it, so in order to dry it out I have both humidifier and an oil filled heater on 24/7 at the moment. Taking out about 2 liters of water daily at the moment. I intend on building a shed next spring for it, I sourced some insulated panels cheaply and was going to go down the route of a well insulated, fairly well sealed shed, but reading some comments here on lack of ventilation being a bad thing, now I'm not so sure if a carport type would be better


Daffysparks
 
Avatar
 
Subject:

Re: Keeping Your Van Dry in Winter

 · 
Posted: 06.11.2019  ·  #54
Are you sure you are not just drawing in damp air from outside through the vents with the dehumidifier. That’s a common occurrence. Ya won’t dry Ireland with one dehumidifier 🤣🤣


eirebus
Eat's Sleep's craic
Avatar
Gender:
Location: kildare
Posts: 7437
Registered: 10 / 2011
My Motorhome: Dethleffs Advantage
Base Vehicle: Fiat 2.3
Subject:

Re: Keeping Your Van Dry in Winter

 · 
Posted: 06.11.2019  ·  #55
Car port is probably the best option

Liked by: Eyore

ntg
Eat's Sleep's craic
Avatar
Gender:
Location: Portglenone. Co Antrim
Age: 24
Posts: 3822
Registered: 04 / 2012
My Motorhome: Autotrail
Base Vehicle: Comanche
Subject:

Re: Keeping Your Van Dry in Winter

 · 
Posted: 06.11.2019  ·  #56
For keeping motorhome dry the carport would be my choice.

Liked by: Eyore

ntg
Eat's Sleep's craic
Avatar
Gender:
Location: Portglenone. Co Antrim
Age: 24
Posts: 3822
Registered: 04 / 2012
My Motorhome: Autotrail
Base Vehicle: Comanche
Subject:

Re: Keeping Your Van Dry in Winter

 · 
Posted: 06.11.2019  ·  #57
Quote by rustynutz

I have mine out on the street at the moment and am just after finding the source of a small leak and fixing it, so in order to dry it out I have both humidifier and an oil filled heater on 24/7 at the moment. Taking out about 2 liters of water daily at the moment. I intend on building a shed next spring for it, I sourced some insulated panels cheaply and was going to go down the route of a well insulated, fairly well sealed shed, but reading some comments here on lack of ventilation being a bad thing, now I'm not so sure if a carport type would be better


I would ocasionally put the dehumidifier in ours over the winter but with the amount of underfloor ventilation it will keep drawing in the moisture.
Still good at keeping moisture in check.


Ally
Founder
Avatar
Gender:
Location: Muckamore, Antrim
Age: 55
Homepage: motorhomecraic.com
Posts: 32599
Registered: 08 / 2011
My Motorhome: Lunar Roadstar 780
Base Vehicle: Fiat 2.8 JTD
Subject:

Re: Keeping Your Van Dry in Winter

 · 
Posted: 06.11.2019  ·  #58
Carport definitely. Never garage unless it's heated. A carport let's the wind go through.

Liked by: ntg

CHAUSSON
Eat's Sleep's craic
Avatar
Gender:
Location: Tipperary
Posts: 6813
Registered: 02 / 2012
My Motorhome: Knaus Sport Ti 700 UFB Silverline
Base Vehicle: Renault Master 150 dci Quickshift
Subject:

Re: Keeping Your Van Dry in Winter

 · 
Posted: 06.11.2019  ·  #59
Quote by Motorhome Craic

Carport definitely. Never garage unless it's heated. A carport let's the wind go through.


Not sure about putting a wet Motorhome in a heated Garage would be the best thing, A neighbour had a radiator in his Garage and his Toyota Carina nearly fell apart with rust, I know that was back in the 70's and jap cars were notorious for rusting but he was convinced the heated Garage was the cause of it


Gavster
Eat's Sleep's craic
Avatar
Gender:
Location: Newry, Co Down
Age: 45
Posts: 997
Registered: 11 / 2016
My Motorhome: LMC Liberty 630R (LHD)
Base Vehicle: Fiat Ducato 2.5 TD
Subject:

Re: Keeping Your Van Dry in Winter

 · 
Posted: 06.11.2019  ·  #60
Quote by rustynutz

I intend on building a shed next spring for it, I sourced some insulated panels cheaply and was going to go down the route of a well insulated, fairly well sealed shed, but reading some comments here on lack of ventilation being a bad thing, now I'm not so sure if a carport type would be better


I had a purpose built shelter made for mine in he along and it is a great job. I always wanted to go for a well ventilated car port with clear panels in key locations to let the sunlight shine inside it to avoid mould. It is also much healer than a sealed shed. I keep my van roof vents open for maximum ventilation. I had originally thought I could leave the sides of the shelter completely open but forgot how rain can can travel surprisingly well horizontally so had to put spaced board on both sides. It is effectively covered on 3 sides so plenty of ventilation. I uploaded some pictures of it on page one of this thread for anyone who has not already seen it.

Liked by: panda

Ally
Founder
Avatar
Gender:
Location: Muckamore, Antrim
Age: 55
Homepage: motorhomecraic.com
Posts: 32599
Registered: 08 / 2011
My Motorhome: Lunar Roadstar 780
Base Vehicle: Fiat 2.8 JTD
Subject:

Re: Keeping Your Van Dry in Winter

 · 
Posted: 06.11.2019  ·  #61
Quote by CHAUSSON


Not sure about putting a wet Motorhome in a heated Garage would be the best thing, A neighbour had a radiator in his Garage and his Toyota Carina nearly fell apart with rust, I know that was back in the 70's and jap cars were notorious for rusting but he was convinced the heated Garage was the cause of it


I'm thinking he was convinced wrong. 🤔

Wet vehicle in cold garage stays wet. Wet vehicle in warm garage drys out.

Wet vehicle in car port drys out.

My father bought a brand new Toyota Cressida estate in 1979 after building a Mormon church in Finglas, Dublin. He bought it from a new Toyota dealer in Carrickfergus.

It was resprayed after three years as it was rotten. I think if it had of been kept on the Sun it would of rusted before it melted.

I also witnessed a very low mile Mini Cooper 500 drive out of a non heated garage and the subframe broke. It rotted as it sat there.

The humidity in my garage 3 days ago was 78% with no heat.

Liked by: CHAUSSON, eirebus

Ally
Founder
Avatar
Gender:
Location: Muckamore, Antrim
Age: 55
Homepage: motorhomecraic.com
Posts: 32599
Registered: 08 / 2011
My Motorhome: Lunar Roadstar 780
Base Vehicle: Fiat 2.8 JTD
Subject:

Re: Keeping Your Van Dry in Winter

 · 
Posted: 06.11.2019  ·  #62
@CHAUSSON unless he was using a gas heater? 🤔


petie
Eat's Sleep's craic
Avatar
Gender:
Location: County Down
Age: 78
Posts: 564
Registered: 11 / 2011
My Motorhome:
Base Vehicle:
Subject:

Re: Keeping Your Van Dry in Winter

 · 
Posted: 07.11.2019  ·  #63
:-/ Now you's are getting me worried,I have kept my van in an airy shed since 1996 and so far no rust but now I have moved it into a purpose built reclaimed insulated panel shed,Should I add some ventilation to keep it from rotting?


sprinter
Eat's Sleep's craic
Avatar
Gender:
Location: Co Wicklow
Age: 92
Posts: 7387
Registered: 01 / 2015
My Motorhome: Matilda 2 Pilote 703FP Explorateur
Base Vehicle: 3ltr 318 Sprinter Automatic
Subject:

Keeping Your Van Dry in Winter

 · 
Posted: 07.11.2019  ·  #64
Quote by petie

:-/ Now you's are getting me worried, I have kept my van in an airy shed since 1996 and so far no rust but now I have moved it into a purpose-built reclaimed insulated panel shed, Should I add some ventilation to keep it from rotting?


I think you have answered your own Question :-/ why did you change? If it ain't broke don't try to fix it.


Ally
Founder
Avatar
Gender:
Location: Muckamore, Antrim
Age: 55
Homepage: motorhomecraic.com
Posts: 32599
Registered: 08 / 2011
My Motorhome: Lunar Roadstar 780
Base Vehicle: Fiat 2.8 JTD
Subject:

Re: Keeping Your Van Dry in Winter

 · 
Posted: 07.11.2019  ·  #65
Quote by petie

airy


The operative word ;)

Liked by: petie

Ally
Founder
Avatar
Gender:
Location: Muckamore, Antrim
Age: 55
Homepage: motorhomecraic.com
Posts: 32599
Registered: 08 / 2011
My Motorhome: Lunar Roadstar 780
Base Vehicle: Fiat 2.8 JTD
Subject:

Re: Keeping Your Van Dry in Winter

 · 
Posted: 07.11.2019  ·  #66
I doubt it would affect Modern vehicles very much. But then if your garage is cold and no air blowing through it, what sort of chance does condensation in your van get to dry out?

Heat and air, the only two things to get rid of damp without manual work.


Gavster
Eat's Sleep's craic
Avatar
Gender:
Location: Newry, Co Down
Age: 45
Posts: 997
Registered: 11 / 2016
My Motorhome: LMC Liberty 630R (LHD)
Base Vehicle: Fiat Ducato 2.5 TD
Subject:

Re: Keeping Your Van Dry in Winter

 · 
Posted: 07.11.2019  ·  #67
I keep my classic Jeep in a dark and fairly well sealed shed but I keep a dehumidifier on as without it mould would start on the canvas. Keeping the moisture down is key whichever option you choose but a airy shed or carport should do it naturally and had the advantage of letting sunlight in if it designed to let it in. I replaced some of the slatted wood on my Motorhome port after a while to let more light into the van - straight into the open fridge for example.

Liked by: Ally, petie

petie
Eat's Sleep's craic
Avatar
Gender:
Location: County Down
Age: 78
Posts: 564
Registered: 11 / 2011
My Motorhome:
Base Vehicle:
Subject:

Re: Keeping Your Van Dry in Winter

 · 
Posted: 07.11.2019  ·  #68
Quote by sprinter



I think you have answered your own Question :-/ why did you change? If it ain't broke don't try to fix it.


First shed was no longer available.Looks like I may get the power saw out.


99Duke
Craic'er
Avatar
Gender:
Location: Tullamore
Age: 49
Posts: 43
Registered: 11 / 2019
My Motorhome: Auto Trail
Base Vehicle: 1999 Ducato 2.8d
Subject:

Re: Keeping Your Van Dry in Winter

 · 
Posted: 07.11.2019  ·  #69
Quote by ntg

Quote by rustynutz

I have mine out on the street at the moment and am just after finding the source of a small leak and fixing it, so in order to dry it out I have both humidifier and an oil filled heater on 24/7 at the moment. Taking out about 2 liters of water daily at the moment. I intend on building a shed next spring for it, I sourced some insulated panels cheaply and was going to go down the route of a well insulated, fairly well sealed shed, but reading some comments here on lack of ventilation being a bad thing, now I'm not so sure if a carport type would be better


I would ocasionally put the dehumidifier in ours over the winter but with the amount of underfloor ventilation it will keep drawing in the moisture.
Still good at keeping moisture in check.

food for thought, if I may, Gas and Oil heaters also emit water molecules. 1 pound of butane burned will put 400g of water into the atmosphere that you are heating, not sure on the grams of water given off by burned oil.... just if you're wondering where the dehumidifier is gathering its water from...…. you're feeding it :)


99Duke
Craic'er
Avatar
Gender:
Location: Tullamore
Age: 49
Posts: 43
Registered: 11 / 2019
My Motorhome: Auto Trail
Base Vehicle: 1999 Ducato 2.8d
Subject:

Re: Keeping Your Van Dry in Winter

 · 
Posted: 07.11.2019  ·  #70
Since insulating the whole roof with (30mm foil both sides) I have been monitoring the amount of water gathered by the dehumidifier, and it's 70% less water captured 24/7 since the insulation job was complete. I will defo do the rear wall and side walls over the coming summer with the insulation board.


Selected quotes for multi-quoting:   0

Registered users in this topic

Currently no registered users in this section

The statistic shows who was online during the last 5 minutes. Updated every 90 seconds.