Ahhhh drop down bed panic!!!!!!!

[Robster100]

Okay, I am more than a bit panicked here.

It is my first year with a motorhome, which has a drop down bed over th dinette.

When we could not use the van anymore this year I emptied down all the water pipes, took the bed linen etc. into the house, opened all the cupboards, lifted up the fitted bed, all the things I used to do in my caravan.

I also put a small electric heater in it turned down low and had the heating set to 6c just to keep things from freezing.

I also put a moisture trap thingy in there as well.

As far as I was concerned this should be fine.

Come this weekend and we were tidying up our airing cupboard and I could not find the bedding for the drop down bed, so I went out and dropped it down, sure enough ut was still on the bed, so I wrapped it up and prepared to raise the bed again when I looked at the ceiling, it was COVERED in water droplets and I do mean covered.

I had to get up there and use loads of kitchen roll to wipe it all down.

I have left the bed down, now I need some recommendations.

Questions
1. Should I raise the temp in the van for a few days/weeks to make sure everything is properly dried out?
2. Is there anything else I should do?
3. IS THIS NORMAL, or should I be panicking even more than I currently am?

Robin

 

[Paul and Kate]

Warm air off the heater
Sounds like condensation tbh.
Leave the bed down turn the heater off and let some air circulate through the van

 

[Just smiffy]

You have the condensation because you have a heater in there, turn the heater off dry any wet areas leave cupboards open and try and some ventilation in there ... these vans sit on forecourts for months with no heating and there fine...

 

[Swifter]

100% that’s condensation . We had the same thing when I left a duvet stuffed against the ceiling in the wardrobe .
No need to worry or panic .
Happy New year

 

[maz]

Probably a good idea to leave the bed dropped down just a little from the ceiling. That way you can still move about easily in the van while allowing air to circulate over it. When I lived in a van with a drop-down bed I would always drop it slightly an hour or two before going to bed - otherwise it can strike very cold to get into.

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[Lenny HB]

Ditch the heater it's not necessary. It quite common with A Class vans our last van used to it if you ran the heating without dropping the bed an inch or two, current van is OK.

We don't do anything to our van when it's just sitting on the drive, beds left made up, never had any problems.

 

[poppycamper]

As I recently said in another thread.... IMO heat = condensation.... as others say ditch heater..

 

[jezport]

Heater makes warm moist air. It hits cold ceiling and condenses.
Absorb the wet with a clean cloth and fully ventilate the van during the day.

 

[63720]

Another vote for no heating but open all the cupboards, drawers and doors.

 

[Theonlysue]

I wouldn't expect this at all, but have heard of the insulation being missed out over the drop down.

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[Lenny HB]

I wouldn't expect this at all, but have heard of the insulation being missed out over the drop down.

More of a problem with A Class vans if the front GRP moulding comes back over the top of the bed. There is only about ½" of insulation between the outer & inner GRP skins.

 

[Robster100]

Many thanks everyone.

Makes sense that it is condensation, just never expected so much.

As I said in my post, most of my cupboards etc. are all open and now bed is dropped down as well,

Hopefully all sorted, I have noticed the duvet was starting to develop a little mould colouration, but I think I caught it all in time!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR everyone.

Robin

 

[two]

Open the top vents a crack and let the air flow about freely.

Moisture could've come from the mattress and has nowhere to escape so condenses on the cold surface above.
I used to bring mattresses and curtains into the house over winter but don't have room for them now.
Don't bother to heat. Let air circulate.

 

[RustyRuss]

I’ve posted about this LOTS of times! I use some aluminium takeaway trays with silica gel cat litter in them. I place them strategically around the MoHo (including the garage) I number the lids “1 of 6” etc. and leave the lids on the driver’s seat so I don’t forget how many are lurking in the rest of the MoHo when we’re getting ready to head off on our next adventure. They work fantastically, no need for extra heaters, partially open vents etc.

Cheers!

Russ