December 29, 2025

Coastal Maintenance for RVs & THOWs: Beat Moisture, Salt Air & Wind on the Sunshine Coast

Why coastal maintenance is different (and how to keep it simple)

Life by the water is lovely — but moisture, salt air and wind ask a bit more from your RV or tiny home on wheels. The good news is you don’t need fancy gear. A short, regular routine will prevent 90% of common issues and keep your home feeling fresh and solid all year.

Three coastal factors to plan for

• Moisture: Damp air sneaks into corners, under mattresses and behind cabinets. Left alone, it leads to condensation, smells and soft spots.

• Salt air: Sea breeze carries salt which speeds up corrosion on metal parts, screws, door latches and exterior fittings.

• Wind + rain: Blustery days test seals, skirting and awnings, and can drive water into places that stayed dry inland.

Your simple strategy

1. Control humidity indoors so surfaces stay dry and warm.

2. Rinse and protect exterior metal and moving parts on a schedule.

3. Seal and secure before stormy spells so nothing lifts, flaps or leaks.

What “good” looks like

• Indoor humidity sits around 45–55% most days (use a small hygrometer so you can see it).

• Windows are clear, frames are wiped, and there’s no musty smell when you come in from outside.

• Exterior hardware looks clean, moves freely and isn’t showing orange rust or white powdery corrosion.

• Skirting is tight, awnings are stowed before high winds, and seals aren’t cracked or gappy.

Your quick-start kit (no overkill)

• Dehumidifier (timer-capable) + a basic hygrometer

• Soft brush + rinse hose for salt, plus microfibre cloths

• Corrosion inhibitor / light lubricant (for hinges, latches, steps)

• Silicone or butyl sealant for small touch-ups; UV protectant for rubber

• Skirting fixings (clips/pegs) and a roll of weather-strip

• Tool basics: screwdriver set, utility knife, spare gaskets and fuses

Set your rhythm

• Daily (2–3 mins): quick vent, dehumidifier cycle, wipe any visible condensation.

• Weekly (15 mins): exterior rinse, door/locker check, seal glance, skirting tidy-up.

• Monthly (30–45 mins): full inspection — roof edges, window seals, slide seals, steps, stabilisers, battery bay, under-bed and wardrobe corners.

• Before/after storms: secure awnings and skirting, check cords and hoses, and do a slow leak check once the weather clears.

Moisture mastery — hold 45–55% and beat condensation

On the Coast, moisture is the enemy of comfort. Keep indoor humidity in the 45–55% sweet spot and most problems disappear: windows stop crying, bedding stays fresh, and heaters don’t have to work as hard.

The simple system (set it once, rinse and repeat)

1. Measure it — pop a small hygrometer in your living area (and another in the bedroom if you can).

2. Dry the air — run a dehumidifier on a timer (e.g., 2 × 60–90 minutes morning and evening).

3. Swap the air — do a 3–5 minute cross-vent twice a day: open two windows opposite each other to flush damp air fast.

4. Block the drafts, not the airflow — seal gaps at doors and floor level, but keep roof/upper vents free so moist air has a way out.

Dehumidifier settings that actually work

• Target: 45–50% on normal days, up to 55% if you’re in and out a lot.

• Placement: centre of the living area with 30–50 cm clearance all round; not crammed into a corner.

• Drainage: if yours supports a hose, route it to a container so you’re not emptying the tank constantly.

• Noise: run heavier cycles while you’re out; lighter cycles when home.

Stop moisture where it starts

• Cooking: pop on lids, use the extractor, and crack a window near the hob.

• Showers: door shut while you steam, then open window + fan on for 5–10 minutes afterwards.

• Drying clothes: avoid open-air drying indoors; if you must, run the dehumidifier nearby and ventilate.

• Breathing overnight: a tiny bedroom vent gap prevents morning window puddles.

Tackle the usual condensation traps

• Windows & frames: fit thermal curtains/liners at night; in the morning, wipe frames (especially bottom corners) so water doesn’t sit and feed mould.

• Behind cushions and mattresses: pull them away from exterior walls 2–3 cm; add slatted mats or airflow underlays beneath mattresses to stop cold-soak.

• Wardrobes & cupboards on exterior walls: leave doors ajar 1–2 cm; add small vent discs or mesh grilles for a hidden airflow path.

• Under-bed/storage bays: open weekly for five minutes with a quick dehumidifier cycle.

Smart heating that helps, not hinders

• Keep heaters on a steady thermostat rather than yo-yoing between hot and cold (that drives condensation).

• Warm the air and surfaces you actually touch: shut doors/curtains to “zone” your heat.

• If you use propane appliances indoors, ventilate well — they create water vapour.

Materials & finishes that resist damp

• Microfibre cloths for daily window/frame wipes (they dry quickly).

• Washable covers on cushions and mattress protectors; rotate and air them each week.

• Moisture-tolerant mats at the entry; swap them out to dry fully every few days.

• Desiccant tubs (silica/absorber) in tiny dead zones: under the sink, under-bed corners, the shoe locker.

Weekly moisture routine (15 minutes)

• Check hygrometer readings morning/evening; tweak dehumidifier timers

• Wipe window frames, especially the bottom channel and rubber seals

• Open wardrobes/cupboards on exterior walls for five minutes

• Lift the mattress edge to feel for cool/damp spots; air if needed

• Quick scan for musty smells behind sofas, under dinette seats, and in the bathroom vanity

If you see early mould (nip it fast)

• Ventilate, dry the area thoroughly, then clean with a mild detergent on a cloth.

• Dry again and improve airflow (leave a small gap, add a vent disc, or run a short dehumidifier cycle nearby).

• Prevent re-growth by keeping that spot closer to 45–50% for the next week.

Winter boost pack (worth doing before the first big storm)

• Skirting tight and gap-free (keeps floors warmer and air drier).

• Reflective inserts for the coldest panes at night.

• Door sweep + weather-strip to stop wind-driven rain sneaking under.

• Hygrometer where you actually sit/sleep (not buried on a shelf).

With moisture under control, you’ll find the whole rig feels warmer and calmer, and your power use comes down.

Salt air & corrosion control — rinse, dry, protect

Sea breeze is brilliant for the soul, not so brilliant for unprotected metal. Salt sits on surfaces, draws moisture, and speeds up rust and pitting. A quick rinse-and-protect routine keeps things smooth, quiet and tidy all year.

Weekly rinse (10–15 minutes, low effort)

• Light freshwater rinse over exterior metal: door hinges, steps, handrails, latches, screws, awning arms, bike racks, tow hardware.

• No pressure washers near seals. High pressure can drive water past window/roof seals. Use a soft spray and let gravity do the work.

• Dry the fiddly bits with a microfibre towel (hinges, locks, steps). Water left sitting is what starts the trouble.

Monthly protect (20–30 minutes)

• Hinges, latches, steps: a light corrosion inhibitor / water-displacing spray first, then a light lubricant where parts move. Wipe off any excess so dust doesn’t stick.

• Locks: one tiny puff of dry lubricant (graphite or PTFE). Avoid oily sprays inside locks—they gum up in salty air.

• Electrical contacts (exterior): inspect caps and covers; add a dab of dielectric grease on exposed spade/ring terminals to keep moisture out.

• Stainless hardware: rinse, then buff dry. If you see tea-staining (brown tint), clean with a non-scratch pad and soapy water, rinse and dry.

Bodywork & trim care

• After beach days (windy or salty spray): give the whole side that faced the wind a rinse the same evening.

• Rubber seals: clean with mild soapy water, dry, then apply a UV protectant. Keeps them supple so wind and sun don’t crack them.

• Paint/gelcoat: a basic wash-and-wax routine helps salt slide off in future. Even one coat each season makes a difference.

Awning armour (quick wins)

• Arms & joints: rinse monthly; dry and give a light lube on pivot points.

• Fabric: let it fully dry before rolling up to avoid mildew lines. If it got salty spray, rinse and dry the same day.

• Wind rule: at the first proper gusts, stow it. Awnings and coastal wind aren’t friends.

Underneath & chassis

• Visual once-a-month: look for orange freckles on bolts, brackets and steps.

• Touch-test: if a bolt head is rough, wire-brush lightly, treat with inhibitor, and dab with paint where appropriate.

• Tanks & lines: while you’re down there, check straps, hangers and any spots where road grit collects.

Galvanic mix-ups (avoid dissimilar metal drama)

• Where stainless meets plain steel or aluminium, keep joints clean, dry and protected. If you’re adding accessories, use non-conductive washers or a smear of inhibitor to minimise galvanic corrosion.

Simple checklist (print and stick inside a locker)

Weekly

• Rinse exterior metal and handrails

• Dry hinges, locks, steps

• Quick look at awning arms and bike rack

Monthly

• Inhibitor + lube on hinges/latches/steps

• Dry lube in locks

• Dielectric grease check on exposed contacts

• Rubber seals cleaned + UV protectant

• Underbody spot-check and touch-up

After salty spray or a storm

• Rinse windward side + awning arms

• Dry and re-lube any parts that got hammered by wind/spray

Wind & storm prep — secure, protect, double-check

Coastal weather can swing quickly. A 10-minute prep before gusts arrive stops most problems. Afterward, a slow walk-around catches small issues early.

Before the wind picks up (10-minute secure routine)

• Awnings: Stow them. Even “just a breeze” can twist arms or rip fabric.

• Skirting: Check for gaps and loose clips; add extra pegs or weights on the windward side.

• Cords & hoses: Lift off the ground where possible; use gentle loops (no tight bends) and keep connections under cover.

• Loose items: Put away chairs, mats, BBQ lids, bins and bikes; anything light becomes a sail.

• Windows & vents: Close roof vents on the windward side; crack a leeward window a touch for controlled airflow if safe.

• Drainage: Clear leaves from door thresholds and the bottom of steps so water doesn’t pool and creep inside.

During the blow (keep it calm)

• Power draw: Avoid stacking heavy loads; a sudden brownout plus big appliances is a recipe for trips.

• UPS ready: Keep your laptop and router on the UPS so calls can continue if lights flicker.

• Noise check: If something flaps, pause and secure it—loose tarps and flags cause damage fast.

After the storm (15-minute inspection loop)

Walk slowly, clockwise, from the hitch/tongue or front:

1. Roofline & seals (from the ground): look for lifted trim, missing sealant, or anything flapping.

2. Windows & doors: open/close to confirm smooth latching; wipe any sneaky drips on frames.

3. Skirting: re-seat clips/weights; check for rub points and add padding if a panel vibrated.

4. Awning hardware: arms, feet and fabric edges — confirm nothing shifted; let fabric fully dry before stowing long-term.

5. Steps & handrails: tighten any wobbly fasteners; quick rinse if salty spray blew in.

6. Cords/hoses: touch-test plugs (warm is fine, hot is not). Re-make any damp connections once things are dry.

7. Underbody glance: look for new rust freckles, hanging straps, or pooled debris; clear it now.

Quick fixes that save bigger repairs

• Weeping window corner: dry, then a thin bead of clear exterior-grade sealant; re-check next rain.

• Lifted trim screw: back it out, add a dab of sealant in the hole, refit, and wipe clean.

• Skirting chafe mark: add a felt pad or rubber strip where it rubbed; re-clip with less tension.

• Awning pin squeak: one drop of dry lube; avoid oily overspray on fabric.

Weather tools worth bookmarking

• Forecasts & alerts: https://weather.gc.ca/

• Provincial park notices (closures, hazards): https://bcparks.ca/

Monthly coastal maintenance checklist (print and stick on the door)

Goal: stay ahead of moisture, salt and wind with one simple 30–45 minute routine each month. Add 10 minutes after any big storm.

A) Inside the rig (moisture & comfort)

• Humidity check: confirm 45–55% on your hygrometer (morning & evening).

• Dehumidifier timers: test auto-start and hose/drain; clean the filter.

• Condensation traps: wipe window frames, sill channels and rubber seals.

• Airflow gaps: pull mattresses/cushions 2–3 cm from exterior walls; check under-bed corners and wardrobes for cool/damp spots.

• Vent path: make sure roof/upper vents are clear; leave wardrobe/cupboard doors ajar for 5 minutes.

• Soft furnishings: rotate mattress (if possible) and air bedding/cushions for 30 minutes.

B) Exterior rinse & protect (salt air)

• Freshwater rinse over metalwork: hinges, steps, handrails, latches, awning arms, bike rack, tow gear.

• Dry fiddly bits with a microfibre towel.

• Protect moving parts: light corrosion inhibitor, then a light lube on hinges/latches/steps (wipe excess).

• Locks: one puff of dry lube (no oily sprays).

• Rubber seals: clean, dry, UV protectant applied.

• Electrical contacts (exterior): caps intact; a dab of dielectric grease on exposed terminals.

C) Bodywork, roofline & underbody

• Visual roofline check (from ground): trims seated, no lifting sealant.

• Windows/doors: open/close; confirm smooth latching, add a thin bead of exterior sealant if a corner weeps.

• Awnings: arms/joints clean; fabric dry before stowing.

• Chassis & steps: look for new rust freckles; light wire-brush → inhibitor → touch-up paint as needed.

D) Skirting, cords & hoses

• Skirting: seated, gap-free; add pads where panels rubbed.

• Power cord: off the ground, connections dry; touch-test after 1 hour of load (warm is fine, hot is not).

• Water line: inspect for kinks; insulated/heated hose ready for cold snaps.

• Sewer line: steady slope, valves operating smoothly; close black valve between dumps.

E) Storm-ready mini-pack

• Tie-downs & pegs for skirting in one labelled pouch.

• Spare gaskets/fuses, zip ties, weather-strip, utility knife.

• UPS test: pull the plug; confirm router/laptop stay on.

• Photo log: take 3–4 quick pics of seals/trim so you can spot changes next month.

Keep this checklist visible and your place will feel drier, warmer and quieter—with fewer surprises after windy, salty days.

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