Caravan outside storage

[Moto Mech]

For the first time since we purchased it, our pop top has to live outside over winter. For those that arnt up with Tassie winters, it gets cold, very cold. -6.5 here thismorning which leads me to my question.
The caravan is fully covered with a Prestige caravan cover, pop top is up, van gets sun most of day and ive put damp rid things through van( was in it tonight and all is good, nice and dry too..
What I was planning on doing was once a month run heater on full for day to warm everything up and dry out any moisture but been thinking about it and wonder if Ill actually increase condensation by heating/cooling effect.
Thoughts?

 

[homerJ]

I think the electric heater would be a good idea. Just keep the top up I reckon.

 

[millers]

Hi,
I think it would be better to run the heating and then the air conditioner. The theory being that you need to condense the moisture out. Heating will keep the moisture in the air. Car demisters use air con and heating to remove moisture from windscreens. Other theory would be that if the caravan is cold, below zero then their is minimal moisture in the air and therefore no moisture entering the van you would leave it close and check when below zero so no moisture enters. If you open the van when it is warm outside there is a chance that moisture will be in the air outside and will then transfer into the van and then condense out in the van.

Steve

 

[Smirke]

Hi,
I think it would be better to run the heating and then the air conditioner. The theory being that you need to condense the moisture out. Heating will keep the moisture in the air. Car demisters use air con and heating to remove moisture from windscreens. Other theory would be that if the caravan is cold, below zero then their is minimal moisture in the air and therefore no moisture entering the van you would leave it close and check when below zero so no moisture enters. If you open the van when it is warm outside there is a chance that moisture will be in the air outside and will then transfer into the van and then condense out in the van.

Steve

Totally off topic, but @millers , I love your profile pic!
As to dampness, our van lives outside, so will be watching carefully.

 

[twscoot]

I think you'll find the van heats up anyway with just a bit of sun on it each day. Up here is Brisbane where it is more humid my van(s) have been outside and covered for a total of almost 7 years. Never felt the need to heat it to drive the moisture out. For three of those years it lived up beyond Toowoomba where it routinely went below zero too. Is there condensation inside each day that makes everything damp?

 

[millers]

Thanks @Smirke a bit of stuffing arround but fun, unfortunately what is depicted does not happen often enough.
Back on topic, @twscoot may have it with the last question. Is there is a problem, if not just monitor it. If a moisture issues does not arise than you do not have to do anything.