Just thought I would share my experience with you all as wish I had known about this!!!

Brand new Eriba 540. Covered it up for winter 22/23 leaving all the windows slightly open and opened it up fully about once a week. Then over Xmas and early Jan when really cold probably didn't open it for a month....big mistake!
Cushions had loads of mould on them plus work surfaces etc etc. Took me a long weekend to wipe it all down, washing covers, curtains etc!
After doing a lot of research with so many different opinions, I settled for a DESICCANT DEHUMIDIFIER. Yes there are 2 types of dehumidifiers!
Desiccant work at very lower level temperatures which are perfect for caravans and moisture. I bought a Brolin QT8 8L Quiet And Compact Dehumidifier from sunbelt rentals for £139.
I chose this one as it has a reservoir but also the ability to run a pipe straight from the machine to the toilet/shower outlet which is perfect and saves you having to keep emptying the reservoir, which believe me does fill up quickly. I have Eriba plugged in to mains, hence I can run the dehumidifier. Putting it on auto is great as it just kicks in and out when needed.

Another alternative is to find it a nice home to spend winter in. Our 1998 Triton lives in a well-ventilated hangar. She's cosy and we have never experienced any damp or mould. Pop top up, windows on vent, all cushions etc left in place. We've had her since 2015. It doesn't cost very much and is well worth it, IMHO.

Crikey, Colin. We pay about 250e per year and it has no effect on the insurance!

Islay, there has to be something that costs more in France? It seems we get ripped off by everyone and everything here in the UK.

the thing about mould in the van is all a bit strange.......................

We have had our Troll since 2016 and (touch wood) have never had any mould develop in the van over winter, even though it is left outside on the drive in the very wet Ribble Valley. We bought a cover from Automotive Leisure when we got the van. We will probably leave this on for the next couple of weeks.

We move the seat cushions from the side wall of the van (although some years we have taken them out all winter but it seems to make no difference). We insulate the taps and drain everything very thoroughly.

We don't leave any of the windows open but try to remember to open up and go in every few weeks to check things.

Our neighbour who has a BWB puts an oil filled rad in all winter be we decided against this.

Don't know why we don't get mould when others clearly do. Perhaps our climate here is colder I have no idea.

MikeT

Maybe some areas have more mould spores floating around in the air. In my area we have an incredible amount of moss forming every winter. I have to power wash my patio at least once a year and get a flood of green gooey water off.

"Islay, there has to be something that costs more in France? It seems we get ripped off by everyone and everything here in the UK."


HAHAHA There must be. I think food has got very expensive. We are better protected by the state for electricité prices....petrol is about 1,80E per litre, but no, I won't tell you how little I pay for the caravan insurance Campsites are cheaper, wine is cheaper, houses are cheaper.....I think cars are more expensive! Paint is shockingly expensive compared to B&Q. Can't think of anything else...Remoskas are hard to come by. Washing machines are expensive. So, yes. Lots of things cost more here. All is not rosy, just rosé.

Hi Colin

I think you need to speak nice and gently to your Triton after exposing it to this extreme culture shock of moving it from indoors in Sunny Southport.........................it must be like taking your youngsters from the warmth of their bedrooms to camping for the first time in a tiny Vango tent in a weeks worth of North Wales rain & wind on the banks of Lake Bala (apologies to Randa)

I'm sure that it will be idyllic in a few weeks and you'll be able to cut grass to your heart's content

Enjoy

MikeT

Well my cushions looked like stilton on them! Eriba only 6 months old. It is stored North facing and under a cover.
I think the dehumidifier is the way to go because the amount of moisture that comes out of it is a lot and now this one has a constant drain which I will run in to the shower drain, I am hoping it will solve the problem for next winter!