Campground Showers

by Kevin Lasson
(Mississaugua, ON)

We usually forgo hook-ups, even when they are avaialable, but we NEVER pass up a chance to use the campground's showers. Besides conserving our own water, we also don't steam up the RV (We figure a steamy shower in a confined space has to lead to mold over a few years.) If you're worried about using public showers, wear your Crocs - they're more than just a fashion statement, you know!

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Nov 05, 2009

Mold Control
by: Susan M

The mention of mold appropos showering in a camper made me think about the many measures we have taken to control humidity in our little Lance camper. There are so many sources! Ambient humidity, respiration, cooking, spills, damp things brought in and damp things drying, opening the door of the refrigerator, dishwashing, etc.

Obviously, humidity control is more of a problem in cool weather, because if it's warm, you just open the windows & use the screen door. We often travel in cool weather.

We awake in the morning to find all the windows and ceiling vents dripping - and then I start to cook breakfast. The big fan over the toilet does a good job of ventilating, but it draws a lot of power, and when you're boondocking, you watch that battery like a hawk. (We installed a solar PV panel on the roof, which helps a lot.)

Peter installed a tiny computer fan in the back wall, next to the door. It's mounted in a short piece of PV pipe, with a threaded cap on the outside so we can close it when we move, or when there's wind & rain. It takes just a trickle of power, so we keep it running most of the time we're in the camper. We leave the bed windows open a crack to provide air flow. It helps a lot with baseline humidity, then when I'm done cooking, we turn on the big fan for a minute.

To prevent the big hatch over the bed from dripping, we stuff it with poly fleece, snap on the cover, and seal the edges with masking tape. We do the same with the vent in the toilet room and the one next to the door. This not only stops humidity from condensing on cold metal, it also provides a bit more insulation, which conserves propane.

On dry sunny days, we take out the quilt, cushions, rug, etc. and air them on a washline, and open all the cupboard doors.

We don't bathe every day (even when we're home). About once a week, we find a state or federal park, or once in a while a private camp place, to wash ourselves and laundry, and charge up all the equipment that's become part of our lives (cellphones, waterpik, Sonicare toothbrush, laptop, etc.). Sometimes we run the pillows, quilt, etc. thru the dryer, just to take out any dampness that may be lurking.

When things get really soggy, we turn the heat way up for 10 minutes and then whoosh it out with the big fan. We don't like doing that, because it's wasteful.

Wow, sounds like a lot of work! But that's who we are - we wouldn't enjoy a vacation where we didn't have things to do.

After our first grandson is born (in a few days), we'll be heading out for warmer climes for a month or so. We think that next winter we may spend 3 or 4 months away - I'll be checking your Boondocking Guides for Texas, Arizona, etc.

Fair winds!
Susan in Saugerties, NY

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