Fiat Ducato Swift Bolero Motorhome Condensation
With winter upon us the inside of the windscreen suffers condensation when parked up between trips. The rest of the motorhome is fine.
I'm contemplating buying an outside silver screen to alleviate the issue.
Would fellow members endorse that I'm doing the right thing?
Comments
-
Is the condensation inside or out? If it's inside........you have an interior moisture issue that needs resolving. Silver screens are superb when you are living inside your MH, but we have never needed to put ours on in between trips. Having said that, it isn't laid up for long periods, and we keep it aired. Outside screen is like any other vehicle, sometimes it does, sometimes it doesn't.
0 -
We had a Knaus Sport, with a Ducato cab, and a Silver screen stopped the condensation.
We now have a Pilote, with a Ducato cab, and don't get condensation or need a screen.
Just saying .......
0 -
An external cover will solve the problem and also keep you a bit warmer inside. We use a Taylormade cover as they do a longer version that keeps water out of the bonnet vents.
David
1 -
Takethedigalong. Outside
0 -
DavidKylne. Good guidance, thanks. Let me know where you live and I'll have yours.
0 -
I echo other's comments. You can't go wrong with an external screen from either Taylormade or Silverscreen.
1 -
Condensation forms when warm air meets a cold surface. The air inside the MH is warmer than that outside, even when parked. The warmer air hits the cold windscreen and condensation forms where they meet - on the inside.
However, the manufacturers of the external screens do not recommend their use on stored vans. I don't know why.
1 -
Hi, I've only had my MH since May but bought a silver screen cover. When I use the cab blinds while we are away the windscreen has condensation in the morning, when I use the silver screen the windscreen is completely dry.
I just use the cab blinds between trips and never had condensation although not experienced the winter months yet.
1 -
Ignore me, my brain is a tad waterlogged this evening, and not functioning fully!
0 -
Linked with temperature difference the cause is more to do with an imbalance between the moisture content of the air inside and outside the van. Cold dry air will not cause the symptoms described, nor will slightly warmer dry air like may happen inside the van on sunny days. If, in storage without any heating on, you suffer from condensation then question where that water originates and is collecting and thus compounding the problem. It might be in the ambient air but It might also be accumulating in the fabric of the van itself. Removal of moisture absorbing materials like bedding, mattresses, clothing and curtains etc can help. Then ensure there is a really good airflow throughout the van for the outside. Leaving cupboards empty, their doors open, beds raised and internal doors open can also help considerably.
1 -
As a newbie MHomer, how are the external screens affixed? Whilst I don't doubt that external screens are more efficient, does anyone have any thoughts on the internal insulation type screens?
0 -
External silver screens have an 'envelope' with velcro to go over the corner of the cab door inside. The around the windscreen, having lifted the wipers first, and same on other cab door. Wing mirrors folded over and windscreen wipers hold the windscreen part down. Ours has the opening drop down front, we don't have a privacy screen (didn't know about them when we found ourselves on an online trading site) and may add if we were buying new. We're in our second in 11 years of it always being in place unless we are driving.
You can reverse the fixing to put it inside should you wish. We never have, nor would I see why 😉.
The internal screens we've seen on site , but never used, have suction caps to attach them, marks for a start 😲 and I've never seen them condensation free.
We keep ours on in storage, saves pulling the curtains - we have older style and not blinds in the cab. We keep blinds closed too 😲😲. I know others say nay but it works for us. It's in storage with loads of others - no one can nosey in, sun can't fade it and temperature never ridiculously hot or cold as far as we are able to tell in 11 years.
0 -
I use a silver-screen but never when just parked up inbetween trips. In fact I'm sure I read somewhere that they advise you not to do this for some reason. Thinking about it doing this would stop a lot of sunlight warming the cab and moving the air around inside so you could be adding to your problem long-term.
I would try and sort the problem out in other ways. Do you leave the cab vents open for a little airflow? Have you got water ingress somewhere in the cab you're not aware of?
0 -
Buy the best you can afford Taylormade or Silverscreen, not sure on current prices, generally about the same.. If you can have one with a privacy screen when it is opened ( thats the front pulled down to let in light). There's even one that covers the air vents, but you can close those. Try that well known online auction site. External is best, see my earlier post , 1st on this thread.
0 -
We bought a cheap generic external screen off e-bay for about £60 as I thought Taylor made and silver screens rather expensive.. I had to fix some extra cords and eyelets to get them to fit better... They are ok and a third of the price, we only use them October to March, the rest of the year we don't need them as we have internal blinds.
0 -
The instructions for Silver Screens say do not leave on permanently....
When in storage we close the front Remis screens to stop sun bleaching and also when on site in summer if stopping one night or on an aire but if its hot we use the silver screens.
In winter/colder times we use silver screens to insulate the cab area and stop condensations.
0 -
Since my earlier post up-thread, I have made up my own internal screens utilising a "windscreen frost insulation foil" household radiator reflective foil and umpteen meters of duct tape. They did seem to keep a fair bit of cold out during a recent stay at Henley, Four Oaks but there is still a degree of condensation on the windows in the morning so obviously not 100% efficient. What can one expect when it only cost me about fourteen quid and four hours work.
If there was significant cold, I think TaylorMade Screens would have to be the answer. The trouble is, all this stuff takes up room and I would imagine the TaylorMade ones are quite bulky.
0 -
we have never used external screens.....tell a lie...once or twice..
there was a (mid price) set that came with our first van....but i found them a right pain, especially when wet....there was no privacy panel that could be opened so it was either on or off....
as i say, they lasted briefly...
current van has internal fully insulated blind that can be a top down sunscreen or a bottom up privacy screen....
works really well with little (if any) condensation, keeps the hot sun out in the summer and the heat in, in winter...
ive seen some normal Fiat cabs with these (top down type) fitted in lieu of the side to side Remis blinds.
its the extra insulation in them that helps them so well...
0 -
I started this conversation back in Sept due to having condesation on the inside of the windscreen in the winter months. Since then I have purchased a Taylors made to fit outside screen cover.
Easy to fit. Result is no condensation. Job sorted. Now back to my Gin & Tonic and peanuts.
0 -
Dare I say we told you so?
Interestingly, at least to me, our Taylormade screen bought for the Merc Sprinter near enough fits the new Peugeot. It’s so close as to not warrant buying a new screen.
1 -
We have had Taylormade screens on our mhome for nearly eight years. Now looking a bit tatty !. Mind you they are only taken when I drive the Motorhome (find it helps !) Otherwise, they are on whilst in storage and when on site as sun screens in summer.
FWIWorth, Worst culprit is opening the mhome up on a moist day after a cold spell. The Motorhome acts like a freezer room that lags behind the timing of the weather. Open up the Motorhome and moist gets in and condenses on surfaces, the worst being the foam which can suck in moisture leading to mould, if the mhome is not completely aired.
You need to vent the internal space and or provide some minimal background heat to raise the internal temperature of the mhome.
rgds
0
