RTT Anti-Condensation Mat

[Ark]

Has anyone tried these mesh "vinyl spaghetti" mats as an anti-condensation mat yet? They seem like they would allow air through pretty well.

https://www.amazon.com/Premium-Viny...coding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=7VCZPFB53QK98DX06QX8

 

[captadv]

Liveaboard boaters and Cruisers use hypervent. I had it on my sailboat, great stuff!

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

 

[gseim]

In RV"s we often use Reflectix. It's like foil bubble wrap that is used for insulation that cane be found at places like lowes. I used it on a Hybrid tent trailer and it worked good on the bed. Thought about putting it in the RTT as well as it could cover the the area under the mattress for like $20

 

[Kmrtnsn]

In RV"s we often use Reflectix. It's like foil bubble wrap that is used for insulation that cane be found at places like lowes. I used it on a Hybrid tent trailer and it worked good on the bed. Thought about putting it in the RTT as well as it could cover the the area under the mattress for like $20

That is insulation. It'll do absolutely nothing for condensation. The fiber matting discussed allows air circulation, Reflectix does not.

 

[gseim]

Well you don't need to drain the condensation if you can prevent it.

Reflectix is a foil material that water cannot pass thru with an air pocket it the middle. But condensation forms from moisture when warmer moist air (like inside the tent) comes into contact with a cooler are from the outside surface. A fiber type mat absorbs moisture, but a thermal reflective barrier helps keep it from forming in the first place. Used under mattress on tent style pop outs for years and they are very similar to what's under an RTT mattress. The silver reflects heat and works a treat.

In canvas style tents they also make a silver tarp do do the same thing. You would not think it would work but one silver tarp over a canvas tent bunk prevents almost all condensation and keeps it way warmer. Some RTT makers even sell tents that are reflective. Reflectix does the same thing for the bottom side and ads a little insulation. It's also very cheap, does not soak moisture and can easily be attacked under the mattress with double stick.

I'm sure there's more custom and spendy solutions and there may be some that work better. But I can tell you from hands on experience that reflectix and other silver materials do work, are easy and don't cost much. I dealt with this a lot because I got tired of giant water drops and wetness in my tent.

 

[Jeffkimkp]

Looking for a better solution then the one i have from cvt. It always gets caught in the middle when i am folding down my tent. So i have really pull on the mattress and mat before the tent is fully opened. It's a pain in the butt.

 

[gseim]

Nice thing about reflectix is it's just like a heavy duty sheets of silver bubble wrap. You can just tape it down and you could also split it at the seam. And best of all if it does not work out for what you're wanting you're only out about $20. You can get a roll of the stuff at Home Depot or Lowes.

 

[VicMackey]

Correct me if I am wrong: isn't the point of the anti condensation mat to lift the mattress off the base of the tent, to allow the water from condensation to evaporate and to keep it from soaking into the mattress? I used my RTT for 3 days in Maine and there was no rain. When I folded the tent, several ounces of water poured out from under the mattress ( have CVT anti condensation mats).

So in theory, could't you use anything you want, as long as it met some basic criteria?:

Water proof
Allows plenty of air to flow through it (for water evaporation)
Isn't too thick to interfere with folding the tent
Rust proof
wont damage the tent mattress.