Condensation in cargo area

[woodbutcherbower]

Morning all,

I seem to have a recurring problem with the ceiling of the van's cargo area being constantly covered with condensation - like dripping wet. I don't work in one of the wet trades, so the rear isn't constantly full of wet plastering buckets or anything similar. The van has folding roof bars, and although these were a factory fit, I've taken them off just to check the seals on the bolt holes. All's fine. Anyone else get this? Is it just the time of year? Any other ideas?

Thanks in advance, all the best.

[dumper]

common fault this time of year try ply lining the roof put some insulation under it

[Mike]

My MK6 didn't have aircon, so I had a Flettner fitted, condensation problem solved and trades don't get much wetter than mine.

All my vans since then have had aircon so that deals with the condensation as long as you leave it on all the time.

[woodbutcherbower]

common fault this time of year try ply lining the roof put some insulation under it

Cheers mate, but that's not an option for me - my racking runs from floor to ceiling, and I've got brackets for sash cramps and a long tray for plunge saw rails all bolted to the ceiling crossmembers to give me more room for other kit in the racking and on the floor - I'd have to rip the lot out to insulate and line the ceiling. It's encouraging to know that I'm not the only one who gets this though - and that's really all I wanted to know. Best get some more tissue paper rolls ordered for the mop-ups ahead.

Thanks very much for the reply.

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[woodbutcherbower]

My MK6 didn't have aircon, so I had a Flettner fitted, condensation problem solved and trades don't get much wetter than mine.

All my vans since then have had aircon so that deals with the condensation as long as you leave it on all the time.

Cheers for the reply Mike. Will the aircon being on in the cab still dry the air enough to get rid of the moisture in the back? How does the moisture from the cargo area get past the bulkhead? A Flettner might be just the answer though. I'll try aircon permanently on first.

Thanks again.

[Mike]

My MK6 didn't have aircon, so I had a Flettner fitted, condensation problem solved and trades don't get much wetter than mine.

All my vans since then have had aircon so that deals with the condensation as long as you leave it on all the time.

Cheers for the reply Mike. Will the aircon being on in the cab still dry the air enough to get rid of the moisture in the cab? How does the moisture from the back get past the bulkhead? Ta in advance.

The bulkhead is vented in the lower section.

[woodbutcherbower]

Doh. Of course it is. Thanks very much. Yellow light on permanently as from tomorrow.

All the best.

[caddy1210@]

You need a dehumidifier mate, I have about 8 in my van and they keep the windscreen dry in the morning as well.
Always bone dry in the back of mine. Asda is a good place that I got all of mine from, one is the size of a football meant for large rooms but is brilliant and was only £6

[woodbutcherbower]

You need a dehumidifier mate, I have about 8 in my van and they keep the windscreen dry in the morning as well.
Always bone dry in the back of mine. Asda is a good place that I got all of mine from, one is the size of a football meant for large rooms but is brilliant and was only £6

Cheers mate. I have an Asda just down the road. Failing that, I'll take a walk down Ebay lane. Cheers again.

[S60r]

As a fellow butcher of wood, firstly congratulations on a beautifully organised cargo area and your choice of toolage.


My previous custom had the pop up roof bars and they continually leaked. I would have to re seal them every 3/4 months or the water would pour in. Usually just running around the thread of the 8mm bolts.

Yes they do suffer from condensation at this time of year but I would remove your bolts and seal them with a decent epdm sealant. Mastic did work but will dry out, the tiger seal or something similar (used for mounting body panels similar to the spoilers etc) works very well.


Add some paper as a ‘tell tale” just below the bolts in the cargo area and see if yours leak.... my paper was saturated after any wet weather until I re-sealed.

[woodbutcherbower]

As a fellow butcher of wood, firstly congratulations on a beautifully organised cargo area and your choice of toolage.

Yes they do suffer from condensation at this time of year but I would remove your bolts and seal them with a decent epdm sealant. Mastic did work but will dry out, the tiger seal or something similar (used for mounting body panels similar to the spoilers etc) works very well.

Thanks for the kind words I've got a cartridge of Tigerseal left over from when I put my roof spoiler on, I'll take you up on your suggestion just for belt & braces. I'll sign off with some more racking and toolage porn. All the best.

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[John webbo]

That is an impressive van fit

[seagypsy1407u]

You could try some of this, i put this on all the panels i could access easily plenty on eBay

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[Mike]

I hope that van is somewhere secure overnight

[woodbutcherbower]

You could try some of this, i put this on all the panels i could access easily plenty on eBay

Silent Coat 2mm Sound Deadening Damping Mat -187 x 250mm

That's brilliant, I'll give it a go if 'permanent aircon on' doesn't fix it. Thanks for the suggestion.