Keep windows open or closed?

NHcamper · 07-06-2021, 04:50 AM

Hi all,

This might seem like a silly question. We keep our TT (2015 Laredo 322RL) parked in our upper driveway between trips. Usually home for 2 weeks between trips. When parked should we leave the windows open or closed? I'm talking about the windows that open out from the bottom so there is no chance of rain getting in.

It seems to me that it is better to leave them open so the TT can air our and not get moldy.

Thanks

Alan

**flybouy** · 07-06-2021, 05:36 AM

I would not leave any window open unless I was in, or just outside of the camper to monitor it. I don't know of any window that "rain can't get into". I've seen thunderstorms where rain get's driven sideways. The second issue would be "inviting" visitors in with an open window. Just because it's next to your house doesn't mean it won't be burglarized. A better to option to me is vent covers and leaving the roof vents open a bit.

wiredgeorge · 07-06-2021, 05:47 AM

We have crank out windows where they open at the bottom with a crank and full open is about 8 inches or so. We leave ours open to keep air circulating when parked. I personally don't worry about anyone breaking in as the camper is on my property. I have never had a drop of rain get in our camper with the windows open.

NHcamper · 07-06-2021, 07:40 AM

Thank you. I also don't have to worry about "visitors". My driveway is 1 mile long and no-one would come up here to "visit".

Was not worried about the rain but more concerned about mold and keeping circulating air. That's why the question.

Thanks again

notanlines · 07-06-2021, 10:35 AM

We both side on the 'keep them open.' Ours are crank open from the bottom and have also never had water come in, even in Florida storms. YMMV

NH_Bulldog · 07-06-2021, 03:41 PM

We keep our roof vents open all the time (we have MaxxAir II vent covers) and keep the windows closed. If it is a particularly hot day, we might open the door, but that’s it. No funky odors or mold (which our little girl is VERY sensitive to).

dutchmensport · 07-06-2021, 04:51 PM

With previous 3 campers, we've done it both ways. It doesn't seem to make any difference if air can circulate or not. However, with windows open, dust and bugs get inside easier. If you live in a very humid climate, like some places in Florida (I understand) and / or in the Pacific North-West where it rains almost ever day, all year long, I understand leaving windows open will pull in the humidity and cause mold to grow inside the camper.

Personally, we keep our windows closed when the camper is not in use now. It just keeps the inside cleaner.

**JRTJH** · 07-06-2021, 05:59 PM

Depending on the climate where you store the trailer, I'd likely "treat the trailer like the house"... If you leave windows open on your house when you leave for a few days, leave them open on the trailer as well. If you "close up the house" then I'd probably also close up the trailer.

RickV · 07-07-2021, 03:19 AM

When we are home we keep the 5er in a pole barn so leaving the windows open would not be a problem and I live in the "Sticks" so visitors is not a problem either. That being said the humidity is usually around 100% so we don't open windows instead we use a dehumidifier and have it drain into the kitchen sink and I have a garden hose adapter for the galley drain, I hook a hose up with a improvised trap and just drain the water into the woods.

Jimmy240 · 07-07-2021, 03:33 AM

I've always used a dehumidifier and never had an issue.

RickV · 07-07-2021, 03:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimmy240

I've always used a dehumidifier and never had an issue.

Yup, makes a big difference. We have been doing it that way for a long time. Used to try the Damp-rid thing it couldn't keep up. Some of the problem is because it is in the pole barn and so it doesn't get any sunlight.

crk112 · 07-07-2021, 01:31 PM

I wonder if I'll get jumped on for this... but at home my camper stays plugged in and the thermostat set to 85 (90 when it's exceptionally hot outside), so the AC will run now and then to circulate air, keep the moisture down, and prevent a "140 degree hot car in the sun"-type scenario for days on end. It's generally pretty humid around here.

To address the OP's question directly, I keep all the windows shut.

Carolyn B · 07-08-2021, 04:47 AM

For a 38’ what humidifier would anyone recommend? This is my first RV and will
be mostly living in it .

RickV · 07-08-2021, 05:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carolyn B

For a 38’ what humidifier would anyone recommend? This is my first RV and will
be mostly living in it .

We are at just under 42' and had a 36'er before this one. The one we used has a 70 pint reservoir but like I posted earlier it has a drain that you can hook a hose to and just run it down the sink. If I don't do it that way I have to go out every few days and dump it. We set it to 55% humidity and let it do it's thing.

Carolyn B · 07-08-2021, 06:18 AM

RickV
Thank you. That helps me a lot. It is very humid in Fl. I will purchase a 70
pint reservoir. Mostly live in it but will be away some days and will be easy
draining.

**flybouy** · 07-08-2021, 06:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carolyn B

For a 38’ what humidifier would anyone recommend? This is my first RV and will
be mostly living in it .

What does "mostly living in it" mean? If you are living in it and have sufficient cooling capacity then the a/c unit (units?) should be removing the moisture.

Carolyn B · 07-08-2021, 08:46 AM

flybouy, thanks. As I-said all this RV stuff is new to me and yes I do plan to
live in it at my son’s home. I may be away a few days a month . I didn’t know the a/c would remove all the moisture but there might be days in the fall I wouldn’t
need the a/c .

Would you know leaving it parked full time - Do I need my tires on cement
Blocks plus wood on top of the cement blocks or just the blocks since it will not be moved ? I appreciate your help very much.

**flybouy** · 07-08-2021, 10:51 AM

You don't need cement block under the tires unless you have a seious leveling issue. Are you talking about cement pavers like you would make a walkway with?

How "permenent" are you making this? If you don't intend to move it for years or ever then I would set the frame on blocks with the wheels/tires off the ground. A recommendation would be more relevant with more info. How long will it be parked and on what surface (dirt? Asphalt? Blacktop?).

Yes the a/c removes moisture and it runs outside. A dehumidifier operates just like an a/c unit but it's self contained and the water runs into a holding tank or exits out a hose which must be placed in a drain.

Carolyn B · 07-08-2021, 12:52 PM

It will be parked for years for me to live in.
It is a 38’ Keystone Outback. Will be parked
On dirt . I heard someone say put tires on
the concrete squares then if permanent to
add wood on top of the concrete squares. Just
wondering if this true and if so was it to protect the tires from heat in FL ?
Thank you for helping me !

notanlines · 07-08-2021, 02:16 PM

Carolyn, I'm afraid I will only be adding confusion to this subject. Keep in mind that your RV tires only have a reasonable life span of four years. As a relative newbie that will sound unreasonable to you. If you reach the five year mark past their 'born on date' they should probably be trashed before you actually move the RV to any distant location.
Be sure to keep the tires covered to protect from the sun and assure the pressures are within reason while parked. A flat or low tire will not help your RV being level. Concrete AND wood might be overkill, but I could be swayed in either direction.

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