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Topic: Condensation in tents

iphammer

19/8/2018 at 12:09am
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Hi all, I'll be going camping for the first time in 15 years and it'll be the first time my partner has camped to. We are going camping on the first week of September a week in Cornwall. What advise can someone give me on preventing condensation? Is it worth taking a dehumidifier like this onehttps://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00B23ISZI/ref=asc_df_B00B23ISZI54914378/?tag=googshop........

Francais

19/8/2018 at 7:34am
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I would not bother with the dehumidifier, probably more trouble than it's worth.

To prevent condensation, it's best to ensure that the tent is well ventilated.

Many tents have mesh window's so the acrylic part of the window can be rolled up, or guide out in the case of rain.

We have never noticed condensation in our tent, partly due to it being Cotton canvas, also just the two of us in what is supposed to be a 5 berth tent.

Even in my back packing tent, which is a Hilleberg Nallo 2 GT, I have never noticed any condensation and that does have a polyester fly sheet.

But again the Hilleberg, even though with no windows has an abundance of ventilation points.

Mitchamitri

19/8/2018 at 7:46am
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The item you post would achieve nothing in a tent '- we got one for our summer house and while it does fill up with water it is ineffective for the size of the area plus the moisture level. It would be the same - actually even less use- in a tent especially remembering the amount of air in a tent is basically all of the air on the earth you'll be trying to dehumidify the sky.
Three things you can do are 1 ) don't cook inside the tent - you shouldn't anyway 2) ensure inner rooms etc dont touch the flysheet 3) make sure all the vents are clear and if possible pitch so the prevailing breeze passes through them.
Oh and 4) buy a tent you can stand up in equals no wet back.
Hope that helps.

seanfdh

19/8/2018 at 8:35am
Location: North Devon
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Ventilation, ventilation, ventilation.

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Sean

Hacksaw Bob

19/8/2018 at 9:05am
Location: West Midlands
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All good advice above, and just a reminder not to use any fuel-burning appliance (for cooking, heating or even lighting) inside a tent - not only would it cause additional moisture in the air, but more importantly there would be a very real danger of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Bob61

19/8/2018 at 10:11am
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All good advice above. Make sure all the tent's vents are open all the time night and day regardless of the weather outside. They are there to create a flow of air through the tent thus reducing condensation.

Depending on the weather, the inside of a polyester flysheet may feel damp to the touch. This is normal but it is only in certain conditions that this condensation will be sufficient to start dripping off, but it can happen and is often confused with the tent leaking. The only time I experienced this was when I erected a tent in my garden and it then started raining. Before I could get the tent down again there were periods of warm sunshine followed by cold rain. The air inside the tent heated up in the sun and then the flysheet was cooled by the rain...ideal conditions for condensation inside...and that was with nobody living in it!

As already mentioned, if you cook inside the tent causing steam you can expect condensation the same as at home. Dehumidifiers won't help for the reasons given.

If you have a large tent and there are only two of you, there shouldn't be much of a problem. If you are able to use electric hook up and a fan heater inside the tent this tends to circulate and dry the air and helps a lot.

Let's hope you have some decent weather in September and your first trip is successful...you will then be hooked

HighSlayer

19/8/2018 at 10:58am
Location: Durham
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As above - ventilation is the main thing.Vents should be wide open from the minute you put the tent up till you take it down again.

Under-occupancy, as Bob mentioned is also very key. Having more people breathing/sweating in the same place obviously creates more moisture. 4 people in an 8 person tent means that the vents can do their work. 8 people, you're going to suffer. I have 5, 6 and 8 person tents. Usually I go either solo or 2 of us, sometimes 3-4 of us (hence the 8 person). Very rarely see any condensation at all. It is quite normal to get some condensation though - when you get up in the morning open your doors wide to get fresh air in. If you find your bedding is a little damp then that is also a sign of condensation.

Polyester tents arent very breathable and have a waterproof membrane on the inside which doesnt allow for much breathability so generally polyester tents are going to suffer more condensation than a cotton or polycotton tent as these have a natural breathability.

Another thing is to keep damp stuff out of the tent. If you shower in the mornings and the sun is out then your towels etc are dry before you close all the doors off - but if it's cold and wet or you shower in the evenings that may not be the case.

Cooking - if you cook or boil kettle etc in the tent then you are putting moisture in the air. Cook outside or in a porch/awning/gazebo etc.

Pets give off a lot of heat too, so if you have dogs with you then allow for them in the size of the tent. And of course if you leave a water bowl in the tent for them that won't help.

Add all the above together and it's no wonder that so many people suffer with enough condensation to believe their tent is leaking and rush out for some fabsil (or plague facebook). Resolve all the above and it should be manageable.

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A slightly younger Victor Meldrew

ANGEDAWS

19/8/2018 at 3:32pm
Location: Northern England
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Agree with all of the above and although you can minimise it some condensation is normal when you are camping.

Condesation will be worse in early September as the days are getting shorter and it will be cooler. A bit of heat from the sun makes a difference. It depends where you are too, I remember one Easter in the Peak District when we had lot of low cloud and everything in our tent felt damp all the time.

Ventilation overnight and EHU and a heater is the best solution if you have the chance to get an electric hook up.

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