When I was a kid, my family had an RV. I don’t have very many memories of us using it, but I can remember how it looked on the inside. Like all RV’s, there was a bed in the back, couch seating flush against the opposite side of the middle entrance, table and seats that could unfold into extra sleeping quarters, a small kitchen area and bathroom, and, of course, the two giant seats in the front for mom and dad. Even though I can’t bring back many memories, I know that my parents would use the RV to pick us kids up from camp at the end of summer in upstate New York. The last few days of camp were for shows and family fun and then we’d all pile into the RV and head back home.
During the fall and winter months, I can remember the RV sitting in our long driveway, sometimes slightly sticking out into our cul-de-sac to allow more room for us to play basketball. Every so often, my dad would go inside the RV with tools and work on whatever it was needed fixing. One day, the RV was gone. My dad had moved it to a secured parking lot where other RVs were left and advertised for sale. I had always liked having an RV and had imagined traveling in it when I got older, but, alas, no more RV.
In my wiser years, I still envision owning an RV, camper, van, or some other sort of road home and traveling across the country for months or years at a time, living wherever I feel like living in that moment. I’ve tried the ‘camping across America’ route and although it was something I very much loved (and would definitely do again), having a place that includes sleeping quarters, kitchen, and bathroom all included in one makes living on the road much easier. However, there are things that should be kept in mind when traveling in small, enclosed quarters like an RV, van, or camper. One of those things is humidity levels.
When traveling on the road, climates and temperatures are bound to change. For example, perhaps you’re traveling through Alaska during the winter months and find yourself in Fairbanks, which is pretty close to the very center of the state. I’ve been in Fairbanks during this time and although much of my time was spent indoors, I can tell you that the climate is extremely cold and dry. When I was there, the temperature dipped below -50 degrees Fahrenheit and every time I took a breath of fresh air on my first step outside, I would end up coughing from how dry the air was. Indoors was also dry and I remember getting shocked whenever I flipped the light switch on and off or took clothes out of the dryer.
The same thing can probably be said about Arizona. This time I was sleeping in a tent in the desert so I didn’t have any light switches and I wasn’t using a dryer. Although it was very hot, it was also very dry leaving me less sweaty than I would have been had it been very humid out. If you’re traveling in an RV or camper and end up in climates like these, it’s best to get a humidifier to make your living quarters more comfortable. Your breathing will be easier, your skin less dry and lips not as cracked.
On the other hand, you could end up in climates that are very hot and humid. In an RV, this can be problematic. Not only is it uncomfortably humid outdoors, but it is also humid indoors. Yes, this can make your life a bit uncomfortable, but it can also cause problems for your RV and your health. In humid temperatures, things start to get steamy and it can seem like almost everything is raising the humidity levels in your RV; your breathing, showering, cooking, talking, and many other things can affect humidity levels indoors. The best way to prevent high humidity indoors is with an RV dehumidifier.
Not only will high humidity levels make you feel sticky and gross, but it can also cause expensive issues with your RV. In the beginning, you will start to see drops of water weaving their way down the walls and windows. Over time, without proper precautions set in place, this condensation will cause mold and mildew to start to grow inside your road home. The walls might start to buckle or peel (depending on the type of interior you have), the upholstery will be ruined and, eventually, you could start to have an infestation of pests. Your electronics might start to cause problems, your health could start to deteriorate (it’s never good to breathe in mold and mildew), and what should be a fun and adventurous time on the road could end up being a major headache with financial issues.
So, I think it’s safe to say, that no matter the climate, it’s best to keep an RV dehumidifier and an RV humidifier always on hand. And don’t forget those months when your RV isn’t in use. Whether you keep it in some sort of RV storage garage or leave it in your driveway, you should take the steps to keep your RV in its best condition. RV covers or tarps are a good preventative measure, allowing for breathability but also keeping it waterproof. For more information, we at RVupgrades are more than happy to help. Whether you need an RV dehumidifier, an RV cover, or anything else, we have everything you need to maintain the condition of your road home for long lasting use and comfortability!
During the fall and winter months, I can remember the RV sitting in our long driveway, sometimes slightly sticking out into our cul-de-sac to allow more room for us to play basketball. Every so often, my dad would go inside the RV with tools and work on whatever it was needed fixing. One day, the RV was gone. My dad had moved it to a secured parking lot where other RVs were left and advertised for sale. I had always liked having an RV and had imagined traveling in it when I got older, but, alas, no more RV.
In my wiser years, I still envision owning an RV, camper, van, or some other sort of road home and traveling across the country for months or years at a time, living wherever I feel like living in that moment. I’ve tried the ‘camping across America’ route and although it was something I very much loved (and would definitely do again), having a place that includes sleeping quarters, kitchen, and bathroom all included in one makes living on the road much easier. However, there are things that should be kept in mind when traveling in small, enclosed quarters like an RV, van, or camper. One of those things is humidity levels.
When traveling on the road, climates and temperatures are bound to change. For example, perhaps you’re traveling through Alaska during the winter months and find yourself in Fairbanks, which is pretty close to the very center of the state. I’ve been in Fairbanks during this time and although much of my time was spent indoors, I can tell you that the climate is extremely cold and dry. When I was there, the temperature dipped below -50 degrees Fahrenheit and every time I took a breath of fresh air on my first step outside, I would end up coughing from how dry the air was. Indoors was also dry and I remember getting shocked whenever I flipped the light switch on and off or took clothes out of the dryer.
The same thing can probably be said about Arizona. This time I was sleeping in a tent in the desert so I didn’t have any light switches and I wasn’t using a dryer. Although it was very hot, it was also very dry leaving me less sweaty than I would have been had it been very humid out. If you’re traveling in an RV or camper and end up in climates like these, it’s best to get a humidifier to make your living quarters more comfortable. Your breathing will be easier, your skin less dry and lips not as cracked.
On the other hand, you could end up in climates that are very hot and humid. In an RV, this can be problematic. Not only is it uncomfortably humid outdoors, but it is also humid indoors. Yes, this can make your life a bit uncomfortable, but it can also cause problems for your RV and your health. In humid temperatures, things start to get steamy and it can seem like almost everything is raising the humidity levels in your RV; your breathing, showering, cooking, talking, and many other things can affect humidity levels indoors. The best way to prevent high humidity indoors is with an RV dehumidifier.
Not only will high humidity levels make you feel sticky and gross, but it can also cause expensive issues with your RV. In the beginning, you will start to see drops of water weaving their way down the walls and windows. Over time, without proper precautions set in place, this condensation will cause mold and mildew to start to grow inside your road home. The walls might start to buckle or peel (depending on the type of interior you have), the upholstery will be ruined and, eventually, you could start to have an infestation of pests. Your electronics might start to cause problems, your health could start to deteriorate (it’s never good to breathe in mold and mildew), and what should be a fun and adventurous time on the road could end up being a major headache with financial issues.
So, I think it’s safe to say, that no matter the climate, it’s best to keep an RV dehumidifier and an RV humidifier always on hand. And don’t forget those months when your RV isn’t in use. Whether you keep it in some sort of RV storage garage or leave it in your driveway, you should take the steps to keep your RV in its best condition. RV covers or tarps are a good preventative measure, allowing for breathability but also keeping it waterproof. For more information, we at RVupgrades are more than happy to help. Whether you need an RV dehumidifier, an RV cover, or anything else, we have everything you need to maintain the condition of your road home for long lasting use and comfortability!
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