It’s great to use your caravan and motorhome for wet weather adventures or watersports, right? But the challenge can then be finding efficient ways to dry clothes (and towels) particularly when space is limited and the weather is wet outdoors! Plus, wet gear hanging around the ‘van can lead to damp if it’s not kept well ventilated.

Here we look at some practical tips and bits of kit to help with drying clothes when on the road in your caravan or motorhome.

Drying space inside your caravan or motorhome

Some motorhomes have large garages with ample hanging space which are great for drying things like wetsuits, coats and walking gear.

And most caravans and motorhomes will have a washroom. Some people don’t even use theirs for showering but use it for hanging wet clothes to dry instead. Just make sure when you’re drying clothes inside your caravan or motorhome to keep windows, skylights or vents open to prevent condensation and damp.

If using an awning when on your travels, it can also be a great space for drying clothes, particularly when the weather is wet.

Other tips for drying clothes on the road

• Keep an eye on the weather and plan any “laundry” days around the forecast to take advantage of sunny and breezy conditions outside your ‘van.
• There are almost always campsite launderettes. Many bigger campsites have onsite launderettes complete with washers and dryers. Using these can be a real time saver, especially on longer trips. Just don’t forget to keep a stash of coins or tokens needed for the machines, and don’t forget your detergent!
• Many campsites also have washroom facilities – some with drying areas – indoors and outdoors. These areas are often warm and well-ventilated. Remember to be considerate of other campers by not leaving your items unattended for long periods.
• Consider using clothing and materials made from quick-dry materials like microfibre towels and fleece tops. They not only dry faster, but they also take up less space and weigh less!
• Use pegless clothes lines so you don’t have to worry about forgetting or losing pegs!
• Check with the campsite before hanging out your smalls as some might not allow it!

Gear for drying clothes when caravanning and motorhoming

Star Player #1

Balcondry

A lightweight dryer that is easily attached to the side or back of your caravan, motorhome or campervan by four high strength suction pads. It will also attach to glass or it could be used in your leisure vehicle’s plastic-lined shower cubicle.

Balcondry is made from recycled plastic and will hold approximately 12 kgs of washing across four washing lines, which are adjustable up to one metre.

You can also hang clothes on hangers on the airer. Dismantles in seconds and weighs 0.9kg

Expect to pay: £29.99

Find out more: www.balcondry.co.uk

Star Player #2

Outwell Drying Rack

Designed specifically for camping and caravanning, the Outwell Drying Rack is lightweight, durable, and folds flat for easy storage. It provides ample space to hang clothes and towels and can be used both indoors and outdoors.

Its sturdy construction means it can withstand outdoor conditions, and its compact design means it won’t take up valuable storage space when not in use. Weighs 2kg. Pack size 80cm x 25cm x 15cm.

Expect to pay: £50.99

Find out more: www.outwell.com

Star Player #3

Fiamma Carry Bike Easy Dry Clothes Airer

This user friendly drying rack attaches to the folding rail support base of all bike carriers with a 35mm diameter tubular frame. With no need for drilling, the Easy Dry is compatible with almost all carry-bikes with a 60-80cm wheelbase.

Made of high-quality, lightweight tubular anodized aluminium, the Easy Dry is durable and portable and can be securely fixed to your bike carrier when travelling. It has an adjustable length ranging from 100cm to 120cm and when open, the Easy Dry has a width of 60cm, providing ample space for hanging clothes to dry. When closed, it has a width of 37cm, making it easy to store when not in use.

The Easy Dry has plastic ropes for hanging clothes and adjustable handles, making it easy to hang and remove your clothes as needed. Its sturdy construction means it can support even heavy items, making it perfect for drying towels, jackets, wetsuits and other outdoor gear. Weighs 1.2kg.

Expect to pay: £81.59

Find out more: www.fiamma.com

Star Player #4

Dry:Soon Travel Clothes Dryer

This compact, portable hanging dryer is perfect for small spaces in your caravan or motorhome. It’s a 400W heated hanger with a clothes bag and can hold up to nine clothes hangers at once. The sturdy hanging hook can support up to 10kg of laundry.

The Dry:Soon travel clothes dryer also has adjustable timer settings, ranging from one to seven hours, and includes an eight-hour automatic shut-off feature, turning itself off if you forget to set the timer.

Dimensions are approximately 21 x 29 x 8 cm and it weights 2kg.

Expect to pay: £69.99

Find out more: www.lakeland.co.uk

Star Player #5

Brunner Mary Washing Airer

A caravan and motorhome window clothes airer is a clever solution that hooks onto your caravan or motorhome’s window frame, creating an external drying rack. This allows you to dry clothes outside without taking up ground space or interfering with your caravan’s interior. It’s perfect for smaller items like socks, swimwear, or tea towels.

Equivalent to a three-metre washing line it has adjustable brackets for easy fitting and has a durable powder-painted metal frame. Weighs just 500g.

Expect to pay: £11

Find out more: www.primaleisure.com

Star Player #6

Folding Smalls Dryer

Ideal for drying small clothing items when caravanning and motorhoming. The folding smalls dryer from Lakeland has 30 soft-grip pegs so you can easily dry your small essential items on your trips away by hanging them outside on a washing line or from a towel rail or shower rail indoors, or even a door.

It’s made from a lightweight, polypropylene and folds down slim when not in use. Open size 48.5 x 34  x 42 cm H.

Expect to pay: £19.99

Find out more: www.lakeland.co.uk

Star Player #7

Snowpea Electric Shoe Dryer

Forget stuffing newspaper into your wet walking boots, trainers or shoes, the Snowpea Electric Shoe Dryer will not only dry – or warm up your shoes or slippers in winter – but it also claims to eliminate bad smells!

It radiates heat through 1532 air holes to dry your footwear and has a timer function of three, six or nine hours. It’s suitable for all types of shoes and boots and its “precise temperature control” keeps the drying temperature at 55 degreesC.

The drying modules are extendable for different-sized footwear. It has a power rating of 20W and dimensions are 17cm x 6.5cm x 3cm.

Expect to pay: £26.99

Find out more: www.amazon.co.uk

Star Player #8

Easy Camp elastic washing line

Simple but effective for warm, dry weather the Easy Camp washing line has a twist-grip construction that securely holds your clothing items in place, eliminating the need for pegs. It says your garments will stay put, even in breezy conditions.

Equipped with carabiner-style clips and suction cups, you can easily attach the line to various surfaces, including trees, poles, and car doors or even the side of your leisure vehicle, making it ideal for outdoor adventures and limited space.

It has an adjustable length ranging from 185 to 300 cm and weighs just 44 grams.

Expect to pay: £3.49

Find out more: www.easycamp.com

Over to you…

Do you have any favourite tips or products for drying clothes when on the go in your caravan, campervan or motorhome? Please share them in the comments below!