Summer Heat/Humidity Strategies - Cover/Fan/AC/Dehumidifier

EasternJL

Howdy--- as a new 320 owner (2024) headed into summer (and we live in the super humid area of coastal NC (Wilmington area)), I'm trying to come up with the best storage strategy for times when the camper isn't being used during the summer.  It's parked in the driveway and it will be a boiling steam pot here in a month or so. 

I've searched the forums and seen some strategies, but I'm hoping for some recent experiences/input.

I have several options based on the equipment we have.  We have 15 amp shore power, a Pahaque cover (still in box), a dehumidifier (which could drain into the shower), a Maxxfan 7500-- which has the nice large cover. 
--Should we cover the Tab and set the A/C to some fairly high temp so it only runs when it gets extreme? 
--Should we cover, put the dehumidifier in and have the vent fan open slightly?
--Do we worry about wear and tear on the A/C and other components by having it powered all the time?  
--And is there a simple way to turn off unnecessary items- like the fridge, etc.?
Thoughs? 

BTW, I am known to be somewhat cheap (in spite of what this new camper might suggest), so I'm also a little concerned about the power usage of having it on all the time.  

Thanks!

enzo86

We are going to give the Midea Cube 20 Pint Dehumidifier a try, it has a remote drain you can run into the shower floor also has wifi so can you can control it remotely if you wanted ,timer, remote tank reading,etc. I put a power meter on it and it pulls right about 250w while the compressor is on.

gulfarea

Yes it gets hot here in Mobile Al also. I have had 2 T@B 320 trailers here. I do not leave the A/C on or even the power cord on.  I am afraid more of fire leaving the A/c on all the time which down here would be A LOT! That does not mean it is the correct thing to do, just that's what I do. New  ones sitting on lots for sale normally do not have them on. Only adding info to this forum of what I do. Art

EasternJL

Thanks, y'all.  I've also poked around on some other forums (FL RV page, etc.) and it sounds like the consensus is using a dehumidifier -- as opposed to the A/C-- since humidity is the real issue and A/C would be expensive over time (and wear/tear). Gulfarea--that does make sense about new ones on lots. 

If I go with the dehumidifier, I'd like to just use an extension cord from the house and not plug in the whole camper.  Does anyone have any suggestions about a good place to bring in a cord without leaving a window or door open?  And I don't want to shut the door with a cord in it.  

Hammick

EasternJL said:

Thanks, y'all.  I've also poked around on some other forums (FL RV page, etc.) and it sounds like the consensus is using a dehumidifier -- as opposed to the A/C-- since humidity is the real issue and A/C would be expensive over time (and wear/tear). Gulfarea--that does make sense about new ones on lots. 

If I go with the dehumidifier, I'd like to just use an extension cord from the house and not plug in the whole camper.  Does anyone have any suggestions about a good place to bring in a cord without leaving a window or door open?  And I don't want to shut the door with a cord in it.  

If you are going to run an extension cord you might as well plug in the camper.  A 30a to 120v adapter works just fine.

EasternJL

So if I just plug in the camper, is there a way to just turn off the fridge-- without pulling a fuse, etc.?  Is there anything else that I wouldn't want connected to power all the time- for wear and tear purposes (and power consumption)?  

EasternJL

Ok, I found the manual for the Isotherm and you can turn it to 0 to turn it off.  

HappyCamper2024

Jumping on this late... for those who use humidifiers, do you crack a window or anything or just keep it sealed up?

EasternJL

Just keep it sealed up.  And you can either check the water tank every few days or set in the shower and have it drain to your gray tank. 

HappyCamper2024

Thanks.

crosstrnr

I installed another AC input into the side of my 2019. That avoids the heavy 30 amp power cord and adapter and gives me two 110 volt plugs inside the trailer that are completely separate. (I also added another one in my tow vehicle so I can run AC inside the vehicle as well. This kit includes both: MICTUNING AC Port Plug with Heavy Duty Integrated Dual 20" Extension Cord Y Splitter Cable and Water Resistant Spring-Loaded Cover, Black https://a.co/d/isBSEEK

ColleenD2

We live in St. Louis Missouri where it is very hot and humid. We do not use a dehumidifier. We leave the windows in the open lock position, We leave the roof vent cracked but we have a maxx fan not fantastic, so it will not rain in. We have a cover on it that we got from carcovers.com and are very happy with it.