How To Keep Your Camper Dry and Mould Free With a Caravan Dehumidifier
Alexander BevanAre you struggling with a leaking roof, condensation or dampness in your caravan? You are not alone.
But what if that damp feeling is secretly causing chaos? It’s not just a few wet patches—it’s black mould creeping across walls, a musty smell clinging to your fabrics, and damage threatening your very home on wheels! The good news? You can fight back and win. The secret to protecting your investment and keeping your caravan fresh, healthy and adventure-ready lies in mastering how to stop damp in a caravan over winter.
Discover the ultimate weapon in this battle: a powerful caravan dehumidifier. We're revealing the simple, effective steps to banish moisture for good, ensuring your campervan dehumidifier isn't just an appliance, but your guardian against costly repairs. Ready to learn how? Let's dive in and save your caravan!
Purchasing a caravan is a huge investment that requires careful maintenance to keep enjoying the motorhome year-round. If you spot signs of excess moisture in your caravan, car or RV, solve the problem immediately to avoid costly damage in the future.
Can You Use a Dehumidifier in a Caravan?
Absolutely! The fantastic news is that yes, you absolutely can and should use a dehumidifier in your caravan! Damp is a caravan owner's biggest enemy, with a staggering 8 out of 10 caravans affected by mould or mildew due to trapped moisture. But you can easily win this battle.
For quick, low-moisture trips, hanging moisture absorbers are a great, simple start. But for real protection that actively guards your investment, an electric dehumidifier is your hero. It powerfully sucks moisture from the air, preventing damage to soft furnishings, protecting electrical systems, and ensuring your home-on-wheels always smells fresh and feels beautifully dry, ready for your next adventure.
How Do You Dehumidify a Caravan?
There are many ways to deal with excess moisture inside a motorhome. Let’s explore these:
1. Hanging dehumidifiers
One of the most common solutions is to get a hanging dehumidifier for caravan. When considering a motorhome dehumidifier, the most affordable option is a hanging dehumidifier for caravan.
The hanging dehumidifier for RV is a unique approach that saves time and money. It consists of a small bag containing calcium chloride crystals or damp crystals and a small collecting chamber below the calcium chloride crystals.
Damp crystals control humidity by absorbing moisture from the air, which drains to a chamber below. These chambers usually have a collecting capacity of 180ml. Larger hanging dehumidifiers can collect more water in a day.
2. Disposable moisture absorbers
This is a solution similar to the hanging dehumidifiers, but in this way, the captured moisture can be seen inside the plastic container.
The crystals work by absorbing excess moisture in the air.
You can conveniently place a disposable caravan dehumidifier anywhere you want to control the humidity. These damp crystals work better where dampness is evident or in poorly ventilated spaces inside the motorhome.
The benefits of hanging dehumidifiers or disposable moisture absorbers:
1. They require no electricity, which helps save energy inside the camper van.
2. Secondly, they are silent and will effectively control humidity without disturbing the peace.
3. Thirdly, damp crystals are cheaper, and purchasing them in bulk can earn you discounts.
3. Electric dehumidifiers
If you are battling high humidity in your car, van or motorhome, hanging caravan dehumidifiers are a worthwhile investment. On the other hand, if you find yourself replacing these damp crystals frequently, your high humidity problem requires a powerful solution. They have many advantages that we analyse in our article “13 Must-Know Answers Before Buying a Portable Small Dehumidifier”.
What is the Best Caravan Dehumidifier?
The ideal humidity level inside a camper van is between 30% and 50%. Hanging dehumidifiers will work if the humidity is slightly above 50%. However, if the relative humidity rises to 60% or 70%, the damp crystals may not suffice.
At this point, you will need something powerful to combat the high humidity. This is where a portable campervan dehumidifier comes in handy to keep the motorhome dry and mould-free. The type of motorhome dehumidifier you choose depends on the size and level of humidity in your camper van.
Desiccant or Compressor Dehumidifier For a Caravan?
Portable caravan dehumidifiers are available in two types:
● Desiccant dehumidifiers
● Compressor dehumidifiers
Desiccant dehumidifiers
Desiccant dehumidifiers use a desiccant wheel to trap moisture from the air and direct it to a collecting tank. They function well in cold areas where the temperature is below 20℃. Also, a desiccant dehumidifier for RV is effective when battling slightly high humidity.
Compressor dehumidifiers
Compressor dehumidifiers work like fridges. They draw moist air from the environment and pass it through cooling coils. Moisture in the air condenses on the cooling coils and drips down to a collecting tank.
Compressor dehumidifiers have always won over desiccant dehumidifiers. They are ideal for areas with high humidity, which includes caravans and camper vans. Although a compressor dehumidifier may not work as well as a car dehumidifier, you can still use one inside a garage where your car is parked. This will draw moisture from both the garage and inside your car.
You can use a dehumidifier for caravan while on the move or when the motorhome is stored and not in use. When used correctly, it will keep moisture at bay and extend the lifespan of your caravan. It all depends on if you choose the right one.
When picking a dehumidifier for caravan, pick one that is small enough to fit in your motorhome. Caravans are notoriously limited in space, so a compact unit like the Morris 12L Dehumidifier would be ideal. It has a slim profile that would fit in corners or on tabletops to remove excess moisture. Alternatively, you could move it to the middle of the caravan for a few hours before tucking it away.
If your caravan is stored in a garage all summer, then you might want to get a dehumidifier for the garage to keep high humidity at bay. You will need something large, like a 20L Morris dehumidifier to keep the garage and caravan dry. Ensure you leave the caravan door and windows open for proper air circulation.
Dehumidifier For Caravan? What Else Are You Asking Morris Customer Support Team?
What Size Dehumidifier Do I Need for My RV?
This is one of the most important questions to ask, and the answer is simpler than you might think! When choosing a dehumidifier for your caravan, motorhome, or campervan, physical size and extraction power are the key factors.
Most RVs, caravans, and campervans have a relatively small interior volume, typically falling within the 10m² to 18m² range. Therefore, you do not need a large, heavy-duty unit. A compact and efficient dehumidifier is perfect for the job.
For the vast majority of owners, a 12L dehumidifier is the ideal choice. It's powerful enough to effectively control moisture in your confined space without being oversized, and it's compact enough to fit neatly on your floor or a countertop.
Our Recommendation: The Perfect Campervan Dehumidifier
For your RV or caravan, we highly recommend our Morris 12L Dehumidifier models. They are a perfect fit for several reasons:
● Perfectly Sized: With a recommended room size of 10-18m², it's specifically designed for a space the size of your RV or caravan.
● Compact & Mobile: Its slim design and castor wheels make it easy to move around and store in your vehicle.
● Quiet Operation: At only 38dB, it's quiet enough to run without being disruptive, even in a small space.
● Essential Features: The auto shut-off and large 2L tank are perfect for unattended use, while the sleep mode ensures it won't disturb you.
Want Smarter Control?
If you love the idea of checking and controlling the humidity levels in your caravan from your phone, then the Morris 12L Dehumidifier with Wi-Fi is a brilliant choice for you. It offers all the same benefits with the added convenience of smart control.
What about the 20L model?
Our powerful 20L model is generally too large and powerful for a standard RV or caravan. This is best suited to a much larger, permanently sited static caravan or a very large, damp motorhome. For most owners, the 12L model is the most effective and efficient dehumidifier for caravan and campervan life.
How do you dry out a damp motorhome?
Use a portable dehumidifier to get rid of excess moisture in your motorhome. Also, use a dry rag to mop up any puddles on the floor or beads of water on the walls. For a stationary caravan, ensure you regularly leave the doors and windows open to improve air circulation. Unplug your fridge and leave the door open
Should you use a dehumidifier in a motorhome?
A campervan dehumidifier will keep your motorhome dry, preventing dampness and mould. Hanging dehumidifiers are ideal when dealing with humidity that is slightly above the normal range. However, if the relative humidity is above normal, and you can see signs of dampness, mould, mildew, and a musty smell, it’s about time you got a portable caravan dehumidifier.
About the Author Alexander Bevan
This blog post is written by Alexander Bevan, an expert in indoor climate solutions with years of experience advising homeowners and businesses. His well-researched, practical insights—backed by deep technical knowledge—help readers optimise air quality, comfort, and energy efficiency. At Morris, he provides trusted guidance to ensure you make the best decisions for your space.
Conclusion
The best way to keep your caravan moisture-free is by getting a caravan dehumidifier. A motorhome dehumidifier comes in various shapes and functions, and whichever one you choose determines how well you regulate high humidity in your motorhome. You can read our comprehensive blog on how to choose a portable small dehumidifier to get more tips on how to choose a caravan dehumidifier.
Your Dehumidifier's Superpowers: Transform Every Corner of Your Life!
Loved conquering caravan damp? That was just the start! Your dehumidifier is a multi-talented home hero, ready to tackle moisture in every corner of your life. Discover more game-changing ways to create a drier, healthier, and more comfortable environment!
Ready to become a dehumidifier expert? Explore our top guides and unlock even more benefits:
● Protect Every Room: Learn how to banish mould from your bathroom and bedroom, clear condensation in your kitchen, and stop damp in your loft or basement.
● Master Your Machine: Get pro tips on how to install a continuous drain hose and use our running cost calculator to use your dehumidifier smarter.
● Discover Genius Hacks: From protecting your wardrobe and boat to drying clothes faster indoors, find clever uses you never imagined!
