Bed and canvas questions please help

[Lemonhead78]

The first thing I notice when it's time to come home after a camping trip is the foldable mattress is moist on the bottom. Or damp . Moist/damp is this normal with these beds ? Is their a way to prevent it ? To be clear I mean the underside of mattress that I'm not in contact with.
The other concern I have is the canvas above me. It's only been used for one season but it's starting to get a little smelly. How do you guys clean yours to keep it fresh smelling ? Thanks

[hybrid_dw]

We always have a large bucket of Damprid actively catching moisture sitting on the floor. The previous owner would also use fabric softener sheets and spread a few around the inside when not in use. Remove them for a trip them replace for storage times. Takes care of any moisture and smell.

[bikendan]

Lemonhead78 wrote:


So the condensation on bottom of mattress is normal ?

Not saying it's normal. Just that it's quite common, especially on hybrid mattresses with fabric bottoms. But the ones with vinyl bottoms didn't absorb the moisture.
It happens when it's cold outside and warm bodies sleep on the mattress.

Some have had success with 1/4" foam insulation with a foil backing and some have with Reflectix.
For me, I had better success with a wool blanket underneath.

[phemens]

Yes. Colder door, warmer mattress will always create condensation. When we did extended trips, occasionally we’d prop up the mattress and point the light/fan at it for a couple of hours to let it dry out. On the way home instead of repacking the mattress on the door, we’d prop it up inside the trailer to let it air out. In colder weather we had a piece of reflectix under the mattress to provide some additional insulation, that helped a bit with the moisture.

[Lemonhead78]

bikendan wrote:

Jim@HiTek wrote:


Warm air rises. If you're seeing moisture from condensation on the bottom of your mattress, you probably just need a vapor barrier under it. It's coming from the ground at night as the air cools outside, it seeps up from underneath the trailer. Also wouldn't hurt to make sure there's no gaps in the bed frame for that warm moist air to infiltrate.

I don't think you're familiar with hybrids beds.
There is no bed frame. The 3" foam mattress lays on top of the opened bunk door.
So there is no gap and that's why there is condensation. There is no air flow.

So the condensation on bottom of mattress is normal ?

[bikendan]

Jim@HiTek wrote:


Warm air rises. If you're seeing moisture from condensation on the bottom of your mattress, you probably just need a vapor barrier under it. It's coming from the ground at night as the air cools outside, it seeps up from underneath the trailer. Also wouldn't hurt to make sure there's no gaps in the bed frame for that warm moist air to infiltrate.

I don't think you're familiar with hybrids beds.
There is no bed frame. The 3" foam mattress lays on top of the opened bunk door.
So there is no gap and that's why there is condensation. There is no air flow.

[Jim]

Lemonhead78 wrote:
The first thing I notice when it's time to come home after a camping trip is the foldable mattress is moist on the bottom. Or damp . Moist/damp is this normal with these beds ? Is their a way to prevent it ? To be clear I mean the underside of mattress that I'm not in contact with.
The other concern I have is the canvas above me. It's only been used for one season but it's starting to get a little smelly. How do you guys clean yours to keep it fresh smelling ? Thanks

Warm air rises. If you're seeing moisture from condensation on the bottom of your mattress, you probably just need a vapor barrier under it. It's coming from the ground at night as the air cools outside, it seeps up from underneath the trailer. Also wouldn't hurt to make sure there's no gaps in the bed frame for that warm moist air to infiltrate. ('Warm' is relative).

There are many spray treatments for canvas after a camping trip before it's stored but the best way to 'prevent' smells is to dry and air it before storage. If possible. There were times in the PNW, where I'd spray it with a weak bleach and water solution because it was impossible to get a day that wasn't moisture ladden for it to dry properly.