Is there a way to stop bunk-end condensation?

[Camp-N-Nuts]

I was sleeping alone in one end and the temps were in the upper 40's...condensation formed on just my end. Both window ends were half-open...will a fan aimed at the tent ceiling help or is anything else advised? (curtains were open too)
TIA!

 

[Flyfisherman]

I doubt you can ever stop all the bunk end canvas condensation, given certain atmospheric conditions and people BREATHING while the sleep ... (of course, you ask them to stop breathing while they sleep!)

Covering the bunk ends goes a long way in helping, even with just a simple plastic tarp. I covered mine and sandwiched in-between a sheet of Reflectix and made night and day difference. Some of us started doing that even before the Popup End Cover Gizzmos came out, which is probably a better way to go.

When the cooler outside air is one one side of the thin un-insulated canvas with warm moist air on the other side the result will be condensation dripping down on one's head! Here's a pic of a previous p'up with the plastic tarp cover (Reflectix underneath) that might give an idea of what I'm talking about ~

 

[billangiep]

Well short of holding your breath...
I would imagine the fan would help ?
Also if your canvas has ever been cleaned with any type of bleach solution it leaves behind a type of crystal that absorbs moisture similar to salt. You can counter this by using hydrogen peroxide in a spray bottle, saturating the fabric, let sit for 20-30 minutes then wiping dry with a few micro fiber towels.
After cleaning my canvas I had the same problem. I used about 32-40 oz. peroxide per bunk end....problem solved !!
Bill,

 

[Camp-N-Nuts]

We had a heavy soaking in the evening and a cool night...so it was as damp as it gets! I will try a fan tonight!

 

[kitphantom]

Adding Pop-up Gizmos helped a lot in our previous pup. We got them as soon as we bought the new Cobalt, so don't have a before/after to compare. For cold weather (30s and below), we got the bunk end liners, which were great when the temps hit the mid-teens to 20s. (There was frost between the layers when we broke camp after several days of rain, snow and those temps.) On that trip, we had power, so ran a space heater in addition to and instead of the furnace (we kept it in the 50s or so when we were in the pup); I'm sure that air circulation helped prevent condensation too.

 

[Unstable_Tripod]

Since you (the OP) have already used slightly open windows and a fan for ventilation, I'd agree with the others that putting Pop-Up Gizmos on the bunk end roofs will make a huge difference. Using the Gizmos bunk end liners or putting Reflectix inserts in the windows will also help a lot, plus, these additions will help hold the heat in the PUP longer.

 

[Camp-N-Nuts]

Since you already open windows and a fan for ventilation...

We should have same temps tonight...I will try the fan tonight!

 

[daveo1289]

You might want to try a small electric space heater to raise the temps in the camper. Warmer air will hold the moisture suspended it it until it can evaporate.

 

[Hawkester]

Can't recall ever having condensation, we do camp a lot in the lower 40's and 30's without heat. We have always left the bed end widows open along the top, the center (or highest windows) open at the top, and a fan. Never used Gizmos but I can see how they would help.

 

[BigBaron]

In tents we put a "roof" 3" over the tent. It usually stops the condensation.

With our trailer we put a tarp over the entire trailer. Popup gizmos probably will do the same thing.

 

[Camp-N-Nuts]

I had condensation just the one time...after a lot of rain and a cool night. Now I have the roof vent open slightly and ceramic heater on very low at night.

 

[aslag]

I forgot to attach our Gizmos one evening during a wet camping trip near the rain forest in the Olympic National Park. In the morning there was so much condensation it was nearly raining over the bunk ends. That was the last time I forgot to attach our Gizmos. We've had similar weather at the same campground with the Gizmos attached and there's been just minimal condensation not nearly enough to even drip.

 

[Ted S.]

I agree with the heater recommendation. By raising the temprehature, you lower the relative humidity.

Or, ventilate the moisture out. I am having a roof vent installed in the spring. I will run it at night on the cooler nights, when heat would be too much.

 

[infotech]

I don't know what part of this stopped the condensation, but I'll share what we did during our last trip to prepare for the cold and we didn't have any condensation for temperatures at night between 28 F to 50 F.. The temperature was between 50 and 70 in the popup depending on the temp outside.

- put reflectix in every window on the popup (10 F difference in temp in front of reflectix and plain canvis)
- two ceramic heaters pointed at the bunks
- on our end of the popup I also put a 5x7 tarp on the outside of the bunk end
- partially unzipped the windows on each end of the popup
- partially unzipped a window in the middle of the popup

We went back in November for a weekend that got down in the 40s and all I can say is the difference was night and day. We froze in November, condensation was dripping off the bunk end we were sleeping on. This time, it didn't even get damp.

 

[DenisD]

These are all great suggestions....thanks for all your advice. I also expernce this issue in early spring or late fall camping and will be sure to try some of these to hopefully extend the season a bit.

 

[Jazzygrl]

Anybody ever try damp rid for moisture problems?

 

[Sjm9911]

Damp rid works great, but for condensation crack a panel and run a fan.