Winter Proofing Your Motorhome: The Ultimate Guide to Motorhome Dehumidifiers
As the season changes and many of us look to lay up our motorhomes for the winter, the battle against damp begins. We all know the dreaded smell of a musty van or the sinking feeling of finding mildew on the upholstery in spring.
While ventilation is key, a small dehumidifier can be the single best investment you make to protect your pride and joy during those cold, wet months. But how do they work, and which one should you choose? Let’s dive in.
How Do Small Dehumidifiers Work?
To choose the right unit, it helps to understand that not all dehumidifiers work the same way. For motorhomes, you will generally encounter two main types:
1. Peltier (Thermoelectric) These are the very small, lightweight units often found on Amazon. They work by pulling air over a cold metal plate. The moisture condenses on the plate and drips into a tank.
The Catch: They rely on a temperature difference to work. If your motorhome is cold (below 15°C), they extract very little moisture.
2. Desiccant These use a wheel made of water-absorbing material (like a sponge) to soak up moisture from the air. A heater then warms the wheel to release the water into the tank.
The Benefit: Because they use heat, they work efficiently even in temperatures as low as 1°C. They also blow warm air out, which can help keep the chill off your van's interior.
3. Compressor These work like a fridge, using refrigerant coils to create a cold surface. They are powerful and energy-efficient in warm homes (20°C+) but often struggle in unheated motorhomes during winter, spending much of their time in "defrost mode" rather than drying the air.
Benefits of Using a Dehumidifier During Winter Storage
Leaving a dehumidifier running (assuming you have access to mains hook-up) offers massive advantages:
Prevents Mould & Mildew: By keeping relative humidity below 60%, mould spores cannot grow. This saves your upholstery, curtains, and mattresses from those unsightly black spots.
Protects Electronics: High humidity can lead to corrosion on sensitive electrical contacts and circuit boards within the dashboard and control panels.
Eliminates Odours: That "stale winter smell" is actually caused by damp and bacteria. A dry van smells fresh when you open the door in March.
Preserves Resale Value: A van that is dry and mould-free retains its value significantly better than one with water-stained walls or mildew damage.
Ready to Go: There’s no need to air out the van for days before your first trip; bedding feels dry and crisp immediately.
Pros and Cons of Motorhome Dehumidifiers
Before you buy, weigh up these factors:
Pros
Active Protection: Actively removes moisture rather than just trapping a small amount like passive crystals.
Heat Generation (Desiccant): Desiccant models add a few degrees of warmth to the interior, reducing frost risk.
Continuous Drainage: Most models allow you to attach a hose that drains directly into your sink or shower tray (leave the grey waste open!), so you don't have to visit the van weekly to empty the tank.
Healthier Environment: Reduces dust mites and allergens for the next season.
Cons
Requires Power: You need a reliable 230V hook-up. They will not run off your 12V leisure battery for long without draining it flat.
Running Costs: While efficient, they do add to your electricity bill. Desiccant models use slightly more power than compressor ones.
Monitoring Required: Unless you set up continuous drainage, you must visit the van to empty the tank, or the unit will auto-shutoff and stop working.
Noise: Not an issue for storage, but if you plan to sleep in the van with it on, fan noise can be noticeable.
Top 3 Small Dehumidifiers on Amazon for Motorhomes
Here are three distinct options found on Amazon that suit different motorhome needs.
1. The Winter Warrior: EcoAir DD1 Simple (Desiccant)
Best for: Unheated winter storage in the UK.
This is widely considered the "gold standard" for motorhome storage. Because it is a Desiccant model, it doesn't care if it's freezing outside; it will keep extracting moisture down to 1°C.
Why it works: It’s compact, lightweight (6kg), and powerful (extracts up to 7 Litres/day).
Key Feature: It has a "rotary dial" humidistat, so you can set it to a specific level (e.g., "Hi" or "Low") and it will turn itself on and off automatically to maintain that level, saving energy.
Amazon Status: Frequently a top seller in the desiccant category.
2. The All-Rounder: MeacoDry ABC 10L (Compressor)
Best for: Motorhomes that are kept heated or used occasionally in winter.
If you keep a small heater running in your van or use it for winter touring, this Compressor unit is a fantastic choice. It is incredibly quiet (Quiet Mark approved) and uses very little electricity.
Why it works: It’s one of the quietest dehumidifiers on the market (35dB), making it perfect if you sleep in the van. It also has a "Laundry Mode" for drying wet gear after a hike.
Warning: As a compressor unit, its efficiency drops significantly if the temperature inside the van falls below 10-12°C.
3. The Budget/Compact Choice: Pro Breeze 500ml (Peltier)
Best for: Very small spaces (wardrobes/cupboards) or mild storage conditions.
You will see this tiny white and purple unit everywhere on Amazon. It is a Peltier unit. It is very cheap and draws tiny amounts of power (around 23 Watts).
Why it works: It is tiny enough to sit on a kitchen counter or inside a wardrobe. If you just want to keep the edge off a specific cupboard, it’s great.
Warning: Do not expect this to dry a damp 7-meter motorhome in December. It lacks the power to handle large volumes of air in cold temperatures.
Bonus Tip for Non-Electric Storage: If you don't have shore power at your storage yard, electric dehumidifiers aren't an option. In this case, look for the UniBond Aero 360 on Amazon. It uses replaceable salt tabs to absorb moisture. While not as powerful as a machine, it is silent, requires no power, and is far better than nothing!
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