CONDENSATION - What is it? How do we deal with it?

Dealing With Condensation in a Campervan: Why It Happens & How to Stop It

Living or travelling in a campervan is all about freedom — waking up in wild places, cooking with the doors open, and enjoying life at your own pace. But there’s one thing every van-dweller faces at some point:

Condensation.

It creeps onto your windows overnight, drips down cold surfaces, dampens bedding, and can eventually lead to mould or bad smells if ignored.

The good news? With a few smart habits and the right tools, you can keep your campervan dry, warm, and comfortable all year round.

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What Is Condensation?

Condensation is simply water vapour turning back into liquid once it touches a cold surface.

In a campervan, this often means:

• Windows

• Metal frames

• Uninsulated walls

• The inside of cupboards

Because campervans are small, moisture builds up very quickly — far faster than in a house.

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What Causes Condensation in a Campervan?

1. Breathing

Two adults sleeping overnight produce up to 2 litres of moisture just by breathing.

2. Cooking

Boiling pasta, frying, or simmering soup releases huge amounts of steam.

3. Heating

Most heaters (like LPG heaters) slightly increase humidity inside the van.

4. Wet items

Damp coats, wet dogs, shower towels and muddy shoes all add to the moisture load.

5. Poor ventilation

If warm, moist air cannot escape, it finds the nearest cold surface — and sticks to it.

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Why You Shouldn’t Ignore Condensation

Regular condensation can lead to:

• Mould and mildew

• Damp bedding and cushions

• Rust forming in hidden areas

• Bad smells

• Damage to woodwork or insulation

Preventing condensation means keeping the van healthier — and keeping you more comfortable.

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How to Reduce Condensation in a Campervan

1. Ventilation Is Everything

Even in winter, you need a constant airflow.

Crack a window or roof vent open slightly — especially overnight.

If you have two roof vents, opening one a little can make a huge difference.

Tip: Warm air rises, so a roof vent is the most effective place to ventilate.

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2. Cook With Lids On

It may feel minor, but cooking with lids on reduces moisture by up to 70%.

If possible:

• Cook with the window or side door cracked open

• Avoid long boiling sessions

• Use an extractor fan if you have one

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3. Heat the Van Properly

A consistent, gentle heat is better than blasting the heater on and off.

LPG heating (like a Truma Combi) will warm the air but can add a little moisture — so pair it with ventilation. Truma (and other similar) combo boilers are very good at reducing condensation but they do reduce it. They do not eliminate it altogether. Any gas burning appliance produces some water vapour

If you’re off-grid, run the heating on low and keep vents slightly open.

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4. Use Moisture Traps or Small Dehumidifiers

Products like:

• Unibond Aero 360

• Compact 12V/USB dehumidifiers

• Silica moisture bags

…all help pull excess water from the air.

They’re especially useful inside:

• Cupboards

• Overhead lockers

• The bathroom area

• Around windows

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5. Insulate Cold Spots

If your van isn’t fully insulated, adding:

• Thermal curtains

• Window covers

• Insulated blinds

• Draught excluders

…will help prevent warm air hitting cold surfaces.

Even a simple thermal screen on the windscreen can reduce overnight condensation massively.

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6. Manage Wet Items

Never leave wet gear inside the living space.

Instead:

• Hang towels in the bathroom with the vent open

• Use the cab area for wet coats

• Dry items outside when possible

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7. Wipe Down Excess Moisture Each Morning

A simple microfibre cloth goes a long way.

Wiping windows and frames quickly removes moisture before it becomes a problem.

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Best Products for Campervan Condensation

Here are some van-lifers’ favourites:

✔ Unibond Aero 360 Moisture Absorber

Perfect for winter or long-term parking.

✔ Thermal Window Covers

Reduce cold surfaces and add privacy.

✔ USB or 12V Mini Dehumidifier

Great if you run solar or have a large 12V setup.

✔ Microfibre Cloths

The daily essential.

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When You’re Off-Grid

If you’re running LPG heating (as many campervans do), you can still manage condensation effectively:

• Keep the roof vent open a crack

• Use moisture traps

• Avoid drying clothes inside

• Maintain low, steady heat rather than on/off blasts

These small steps make a massive difference.

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Final Thoughts

Condensation is a normal part of campervan life — especially in the UK, where cold nights and damp air are common.

But with the right habits, good ventilation, and a few helpful products, you can keep your van dry, cosy, and mould-free all year round.