Excessive Consdensation

Originally posted by rawest50 Had the same problem with condensation on the windows glass. I will definitely try slightly opening the vent. It was closed.

That should help quite a bit. One thing to consider is that as the temperature goes down, relative humidity goes up. When the temperature reaches the dew point, you have condensation. That is one reason to run the furnace in cold weather. It lowers the relative humidity and keeps the temperature above the dew point. Windows, being cold surfaces allow moisture to condense. Opening the vent also allows some moisture to escape. The air coming in is heated, and the relative humidity of that air becomes less.
It takes energy to heat the air, but burning some propane to both keep warm and keep the humidity down is not a bad use.

Thanks everyone for the responses -- looks like we are not alone in experiencing excessive condensation. Not sure what to do when we are dry camping though - we always have the windows and vent cracked open and we are not cooking or showering or doing anything else when we are sleeping. which is the only time it seems to happen.  Maybe we can try putting on the propane heater for awhile before we go to bed but we are thinking this probably happens very early morning which is usually the coldest part of the day. We did buy some DampRid and are looking into a battery operated fan.

Indeed Tars, you are absolutely correct.  We normally boondock and have to use the propane furnace during the cold nights, between that and 2 people inside, a lot of moisture is given off, hence a combination of ceiling vents and at least a window or two open 1/2" OR more will be necessary to reduce the amount of condensation.  We have noticed over the 6 years we have had our 177 that when we do camp at a place where electricity is available and we use our electric heater, there is a marked reduction in the amount of condensation.

Interesting, I use a small electric heater, set at around 60 degrees, I crack the roof vent and turn the fan on low, been in the cold - no condensation, only difference I was sole occupant.

I'm with Forest River on this one, this seems very odd.  I regularly stay in my 180 at temperatures below freezing in the spring and fall and the only time I've had excessive condensation, though not to this extent, was when I forgot to crack the roof vent.  I do not crack my windows and I do not run my vent fan.