Winter in a Fifth Wheel - RV-Dreams Community Forum

Diana and Jim · RV-Dreams Family Member

RE: Winter in a Fifth Wheel

SnowGypsy · RV-Dreams Family Member

I didn't follow that closely on your set-up, this must be our last cold winter, but this might not apply but when we tent camp we always put down a tarp to set the tent up on as a moisture barrier from the ground so I just wondered if you covered the ground under the trailer. I'm thinking that when it rains/snows, you'll be drawing moisture from the ground. I can't say whether it would be better or worse. Just a thought. Also, I don't think some people realize that high humidity is common in many of the states and anymore, with improvements in technology, you really don't see that much rust, remember the older cars - rust buckets!

I am hoping my dogs haven't aged out of predicting the weather because this cold is making me wonder about that lack of a thick coat. Hopefully this is just a fluke in the weather. We had a 4.8 earthquake here in KS this week. I never noticed, we have trains in the area.

-- Edited by SnowGypsy on Friday 14th of November 2014 07:04:42 PM

Diana and Jim · RV-Dreams Family Member

I'm thinking that moisture under the rig shouldn't be an issue....unless it is sneaking around the slide seals at the floor. Our skirting is on the outside perimeter of the entire rig, including the slides. That would be the only place I could think it could get in. Those slides are pretty tight when fully opened. To answer your question; we didn't put down a ground cover. Not a bad idea, though!

Jim

Diana and Jim · RV-Dreams Family Member

Quick update: We were able to get the RH levels down with our new DH and another DampRid canister. We are also making sure to run the FantasticFan during and after cooking. RH levels under the rig seem to be dropping also. My guess is that the ground under there is drying out.

We stayed nice and toasty through the cold snap! Outside temps dropped into the teens and the rig was plenty warm. The floors were fine, even in the slides...which I attribute to the skirting. We never have had an issue with the fresh water line, nor have the sewer or tanks been a problem. Granted, Lake Michigan will most likely keep our temperatures above zero.

So far, so good!

Jim

SnowGypsy · RV-Dreams Family Member

Glad to see your update. I talked to my brother last week and all he did was complain about the weather, especially the snow as the mailman hadn't come in 3 days when I talked to him and he was expecting a shipment of something. I do mention how fortunate he is compared to someone north of him in a 5th wheel. He is not a "count your blessings sort of person". So far in KS, we just had one dusting of snow but we endured some cold but dry days and nights. I do not think I could ever handle MI winters again although my dream was to move back home some day. Every place has pluses and minuses and when you are looking at just one more cold snowy winter or hot scorching summer it really helps, unfortunately, last winter was supposed to be our last in the cold one.

TRAILERKING · RV-Dreams Family Member

PIEERE wrote: I also will put in a couple of vents in the sides to reduce moisture.

That sounds like a Great idea...

Diana and Jim · RV-Dreams Family Member

In my case, that would increase the moisture under my rig. Here are my current readings:

Outside temp: 49 degrees. Humidity 96%

Under the rig temp: 51 degrees. Humidity 85%

Putting vents in would be like drilling a hole in the bottom of a boat.

Jim

Diana and Jim · RV-Dreams Family Member

It's raining out, Pierre. :). Those readings will all drop when the sun comes out and the temps go back down. The underside of a modern RV is made to repel moisture. Think about what happens when you drive through a downpour. Nothing under there is going to rot or rust, unless the rig is in a salt air environment...which Tennessee and Michigan are not. There is no need for a dehumidifier under either of our rigs.

Jim

The Junkman · RV-Dreams Family Member

85% humidity is like it's soaking in water. There is is water resistant and water proof.

Short of sealing it, and heating it.. not much can be done. I'd bet.

Diana and Jim · RV-Dreams Family Member

That's at 49 and raining outside. It is all relative, Junkman. It will be much lower tomorrow when the temperature and outside humidity drops.

SnowGypsy · RV-Dreams Family Member

Diana & Jim: I have faith that you will take whatever measures are needed since you appear to be on top of it. You may have have to adjust things as you go through the winter but the fact that you are asking questions and for help//suggestions when you sense an issue shows that you realize that you don't know it all. While gadgets are handy, we really never know how accurate they are and eyeing the situation as a backup plan should put you in the safety zone. The water should drip from the underbelly when/if it gets saturated. I would think in order to force it up and create a hopeless situation you would have to be vacuum tight which I really doubt that you are since that is very hard to achieve but even then I would think you would see the humidity level continue to climb if no drying were taking place at all. In researching it, I found some people vented, others not and some counted on the snow pack where snow was heavy as extra insulation so vents were not used. We have been in adverse conditions and you just make adjustments along the way as needed. No two situations are the same.

TRAILERKING · RV-Dreams Family Member

Diana and Jim wrote:
In my case, that would increase the moisture under my rig. Here are my current readings:

Outside temp: 49 degrees. Humidity 96%

Under the rig temp: 51 degrees. Humidity 85%

Putting vents in would be like drilling a hole in the bottom of a boat.

Jim

I think the real trick is "Air Flow". If have a hole in it, you've just got stale air sitting still. However if have a small fan continuously running, drawing air through one end and expelling out the other end........Humidity levels would drop.

Can run a small CFM bathroom fan. I do a similar thing at home in the "stick n brick" house. My entire basement has a suspended/elevated wood floor. So there's about a 2 foot space under the wood structure. The entire gravel covered ground is covered with a plastic vapor barrier. At two far corners of the basement there are vent intakes 6" diameter cut into the floor. At the opposite end there is a small CFM bathroom fan under the floor. The fan exhaust comes up through the floor and out the wall like a clothes drier duct. That fan runs 24/7. There is absolutely no humidity, musty smell, dampness, or cold feeling like most basements.

Your situation is a bit different but I think the concept will work.....Especially for "Long" stays.

-- Edited by TRAILERKING on Monday 24th of November 2014 10:21:04 AM

Diana and Jim · RV-Dreams Family Member

Trailerking, there is not an issue under the rig. My concern was the humidity inside the rig, not under it. A few percentage points higher or lower than what the outside humidity is not going to matter under there.

TRAILERKING · RV-Dreams Family Member

OK.....Sorry for posting.