Under The Mattress Mold
Printed From: R-pod Owners Forum
Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
Forum Discription: Ask maintenance questions, share your podmods (modifications) and helpful tips
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=6177
Printed Date: 17 Jun 2025 at 11:28pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.64 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Under The Mattress Mold
Posted By: Nick
Subject: Under The Mattress Mold
Date Posted: 06 May 2015 at 12:30pm
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Hi Everyone. I have an R-Pod 178. I've been having an issue with mold building up under the mattress and on the warm side of the plywood bed frame in my R-Pod. This even happens when the weather is warm and dry outside. I'm assuming this is simply condensation build up from my body heat keeping the mattress side warm, and the cooler air being under the plywood bed frame (half the frame is over the rear unheated storage area of the R-Pod). Has anyone had a similar problem, and how did you fix it? I'm thinking about putting a Styrofoam sheet down under the mattress to help insulate the mattress inside from the cooler temps from the storage area. Any ideas? Thanks in advance nick
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Replies:
Posted By: Seanl
Date Posted: 06 May 2015 at 4:00pm
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I know you can get a lot of condensation build up inside a pod just from the moisture in your breath. It is always good to crack a window and leave the bathroom fan on low to get some fresh air flow in the camper. When the camper is left for a while I put Damprid in it to keep the moisture down. Damprid is just a calcium cloride moisture obsorber. ------------- Sean, 2011 Rpod RP-173,2009 Jeep Liberty Rocky Mountain Edition 
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Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 06 May 2015 at 8:22pm
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Welcome. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual 
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Posted By: ChinookPod
Date Posted: 06 May 2015 at 10:08pm
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Last summer I put a layer of that foily bubble wrap insulation under our mattress to add some insulation from the cold air in the pass through below the bed. At the end of the weekend I discovered soaked sheets and the underside of the mattress. I predict styrofoam will produce the same result. We live in a very dry climate, but I guess respiration adds a lot of moisture. ------------- 2014 RP171 HRE 2010 F150 |
Posted By: marwayne
Date Posted: 06 May 2015 at 11:36pm
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I insulated the storage compartment with Styrofoam walls and ceiling, I have no problem. ------------- If you want something done right, do it yourself. 2011 RP172, 2016 Tundra 5.7 Litre, Ltd. |
Posted By: Nick
Date Posted: 11 May 2015 at 5:39pm
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When you insulated the storage compartment, did the styrafoam have the foil side to it? If so, which way did you point the foil? So I guess essentially you made a "cooler" out of the storage compartment? Thanks for your reply |
Posted By: marwayne
Date Posted: 12 May 2015 at 12:50am
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No foil just 1 1/2" Styrofoam. ------------- If you want something done right, do it yourself. 2011 RP172, 2016 Tundra 5.7 Litre, Ltd. |
Posted By: Appocalexx
Date Posted: 31 May 2015 at 10:16pm
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I was thinking of adding one of those covers over the wetbath fan and leaving the fan door open 24/7 to prevent mold and condinsation, is this a good idea or will rain coupled with winds still get into the wetbath. Other than that i might have to try some of yalls other tricks to avoid this problem i am highly alergic to mold and do not want to deal with it. For now while not using my trailer for week or two at a time i am just moving the mattress to where it sits half on the wall and base so that its not just flat on the base and have the wetbath fan door cracked like an inch or so. Im checking it every other day to see if i have any leakage or mold issues. ------------- |
Posted By: Nick
Date Posted: 01 Jun 2015 at 12:18am
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I think the mold was caused by the cooler air from the rear storage compartment, meeting up with a warm mattress (my body heat). I've never noticed mold anywhere else, just that spot. Condensation in an rpod is a tough battle. When it rains and you're hanging out/sleeping inside, humidity will win. Just be prepared to wipe things down in the morning. Air flow is the key to preventing mold.
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Posted By: Nick
Date Posted: 01 Jun 2015 at 12:23am
| I cut a hole and put an air vent under the bed to help create airflow from the rear storage compartment and the inside of the rpod. Not sure if this will work. I'm heading out for 6 weeks so I'll definitely find out |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 01 Jun 2015 at 11:08am
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I always left a window cracked open and my vent open a crack when in storage. I didn't have a cover over the vent but didn't care since it is a wet bath. Little rain got in and whatever did either evaporated or went down the drain. Some people leave their fan on low all the time if they have power where they store theirs, I didn't. I never had a problem with mold even though we are in a very humid area. I considered cutting a hole under the bathroom in the pod, and a rear-facing vent underneath. That would have allowed for air flow through the grate just below the bathroom door w/o leaving the windows open when it rained. Never did it. I did install a fan with a cover on my current camper since it is a dry bath. I plan on leaving it wide open all the time. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
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