Will Adding a Trailer Vent Reduce Condensation

Published 02/22/2020

Question:

We have a 5x10 trailer that has been converted to a camper. We have a air vent and a fan vent. But if it is could out and we are running the heater we will not want to open these because the heat will escape. I am concerned about breathing up all the oxygen. 2 adults and 2 large dogs sleeping in the space. Also wondering if the vent may help with condensation? I was going to place it at the bottom to keep the heat in. But maybe it’s not necessary?

asked by: Nicole B

Expert Reply:

It would seem to me that having an air vent and a fan vent is going to be sufficient, but you can always add another vent to help improve airflow. With that being said, you can add the 2-Piece Polypropylene Trailer Vent # HMAV2-AVT2 to provide you with a bit more airflow, but I'd be careful not to place it too low to the ground since it might allow rodents an easier route into the trailer. I don't believe that a vent is going to help reduce condensation and would let more moist air inside your trailer, so if you're having issues with condensation you may want to look into a dehumidifier.

When it comes to oxygen loss, even in a vacuum sealed room it would take a long time (you'd likely dehydrate or starve first) before you'd run out of oxygen-and even so, the real concern is carbon dioxide building up. For reference- oxygen makes up about 20% of the air, where carbon dioxide makes up around 0.038% of that air and even in a vacuum sealed room with 10 people in it, you'd only see the CO2 increase to about 0.6% in a 24 hour period. So needless to say, assuming you're not locking yourselves in the camper for a week at a time, you don't really NEED a vent to not suffocate.

expert reply by: Erik B