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 we went away for new year, are caravan is in storage so couldnt have heating on before we went, as soon as we arrived we put the heating on i waited awhile before putting clothes away, but next day all the clothes  felt wet also the bedding felt damp each nite, even the towels in the bathroom felt damp we never turned the heating off the hole time we was there can anyone help or had the same problem

                                   debbie

Its a seasonal thing (assuming your van does not have any damp). That's why we bring the bedding etc into the house over winter.

I'm guessing that you must be young Debbie. I remember, way back in the 1950's. Long before gas central heating; Cavity wall Insulation; Loft insulation; Double glazing, when we had frost patterns on the bedroom windows, rickets and scurvy, colds every winter (violins). The sort of damp you are talking about in your van...that's what we also had in our house! Whilst it's a worry for you...its a trip down memory lane for some of us.......wait till spring and see if its the same. Every chance it will be fine and you will conclude that its just a winter thing rather than a caravan issue

Next time my suggestion would be to get on site, set up, turn heating on and leave the internal doors open, mattress on its side so warm air can circulate around it, and dissappear to the pub for a few hours. The van can then get warmed up without human bodily interference.

Phil

I think I would be inclined to go round the van with a damp meter & check it out.

There is no reason other than water penetration really why your caravan should be getting soft furnishings, clothes etc wet.

There will be condensation this time of the year from breathing, cooking etc but this would only be collecting on the windows & perhaps a little surface dampness in cold corners.

"We store our van on a dormitory site, and find that if you keep a couple of those chemical dehumitifiers in there over winter any damp that is present is soon collected"

With all the vents on a caravan and outside air that circulates through it all you are doing is trying to dry the world,waste of time.

this time of year I usually leave at least one window on the latch (ie a tiny gap to allow the van to breath)

my current van isnt bad, but my old sprite and even older monza were terrible for sondensation, the 77monza the worst, you could get condensation running down the wall board (there was only 2mm of polystyrene insulation in the walls)

I also use the blown air (even if Im not using the heater) just to move the air around in the van.

Andyand Lynda

You will find that the vents on your van are principally there to provide oxygen when gas is burning, and also to allow air to leave and enter as the pressure changes with temperature--even in winter.  If the air drawn in is damp which is quite likely at many times of the year condensation may form.  You are assuming that the vents provide through flow of air--They may do on your van, but on most there is very little flowing through!

just been and bought two dehumidifers too leave in caravan and also to use wen we are away, thanks for all the advice         debbie