wkendfun
Florida
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Joined: 07/29/2008
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We are new to RVing and have a class A Itasca. The smell only occurs after we are leaving the campground. We dump the blank tank 1st, then the grey. Close the valves, put the chemicals and water back in the black tank then head on the road. The smell on the way home is horrible!! What am I doing wrong or is there something better I should be doing? I read on here about putting water in the traps - what is that and should I be doing that? I also read about putting tide in there - Do you do that in addition to the chemicals or instead of? HELP!
Thanks!!!!
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Ames
South Central Florida
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Joined: 01/05/2001
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Driving causes a negative pressure inside the MH be sure roof vents close to the vent pipe on the roof are closed as the vent gases are being sucked into the MH as a starter. A few gallons of water with a good chemical such as Odorgone in both holding tanks can also help.
Also be sure to leave a couple cups of water in the toilet to help its seal. We changed to one of the directional vents for the vent pipe also that raises the exit point of the gases that may help also. The smell can also come in from the side of the MH if a window is open while driving.
Richard and Babs and a Bob Tail Cat
97 Beaver Patriot 40 Kitchen Slide
330 HP Member FMCA, BAC, Good Sam, CAT RV Club
Toad 04 Durango HEMI
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fcooper
Richmond Hill, Georgia
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Joined: 09/23/2003
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Even if you don't use chemicals in your tanks, you should not have odors in the rv. I never use any chemicals, just plain water.
1. Are you driving with the windows open? This will create a vacuum and pull odors into the rv.
2. Traps Wet? The u shaped drain pipe below the shower, below each sink, and (possibly) a washer connection must have some residual water in them to prevent odors from coming back into the rv from the tanks. If in doubt, pour some water down each drain. We don't have a washer, so I have sealed the washer drain with metal tape to prevent odors in the washer closet.
3. Outside vent...be sure it is not stopped up with bird nest, etc. You'll have to check from the roof.
4. Vacuum Breaks...Not all sinks use roof vents. If your sink has a pipe connected to the drain that runs slighly higher with a screw on device at the top, you have a vacuum break. It is a one way check valve that allows air to enter the drain but prevents gasses from escaping from the drain. These fail, and are real easy to replace. Unscrew one by hand and take it with you to home depot or equivalent type store. The salesperson can help you find a replacement. These fail often enough that I carry a spare in the motorhome. Last one I purchased was several years ago for $5.00 at Home Depot.
I hope this info helps.....Fred
Fred & Vicki
Richmond Hill, Ga
2000 Holiday Rambler Endeavor/330 Cat
2000 Honda Odyssey toad w SMI Silent Partner braking system
Tire Sentry monitoring system
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wolfe10
Texas
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Joined: 10/08/2000
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The "traps" you mention are the P traps below the sinks, shower, etc-- just like in your stick home.
And don't waste your time trying to make the gray/black tanks smell nice, spend your time making sure the tanks are at a lower PSI than the interior-- that way air does not go from the tanks to the coach.
As suggested, do not drive with side windows or roof vents open-- they lower interior PSI.
If problem persists, verify that vent pipe(s) to roof have not come loose from the tank/roof.
There are roof top vent venturis that do lower tank PSI, especially while driving.
Brett Wolfe
1993 Foretravel 36' U-240
Cat 3116, Allison 3060
Caterpillar RV Engine Owner's Club: www.catrvclub.org
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brobox
Sunny SW. Florida
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Joined: 11/18/2003
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Both of the other posters have been 100% correct. One thing I did not see in your post is, are you back flushing the black tank after each dump? The cleaner the tank the less chance of odor. I also don't use chemicals very ofter but I do keep the tank as clean as possible. I also use Calgon and laundry soap on the way home from each trip to really clean the tank well before putting the unit back in storage. So far no bad smells in 4 years.
Chuck
02 Travel Supreme, 2 street side slides
02 Jeep Liberty Toad
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Polishnurse
Schodack, NY
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Joined: 03/13/2007
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I drive with my windows open most of the time, and the Max Roof vents open as well. I've never had a smell in the coach. It would take some vacuum to suck the water out any P trap. You have another problem. Put some bleach in the sink drain (gray tank). Check to see if you have one of Air valve things sometimes called a cheater valve, quick vent or some other name under the sinks. That could be dirty of fouled and needs cleaning or replacement. You should also check the vent on top of the coach. That could partially plug by those mud drabber's or leaves. That's My Two Cents for what it's worth. Bill
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b ubblerboy64
946 Ashton Shippensburg Pa 17257
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Joined: 10/18/2004
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I agree with Polishnurse. It's a vent problem. Only part I don't understand is why its ONLY after dumping.
John Heckman
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wkendfun
Florida
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Joined: 07/29/2008
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The windows are not open while driving so that's not it. The smell is only when we are on our way home for about an hour then seems to go away?????
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wa8yxm
Wherever I happen to park
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Joined: 07/04/2006
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Just a thought...... The tanks are supposed to be vented to the roof, However sometimes things "nest" in those vents and this blocks them. If they are blocked then when you dump you have say 30 gallons of waste water flowing down into the ground and the air can not rush in to replace it.. So the tank draws air the only way it can.. by sucking it in via the drains, thus blowing the water out of the traps (have your partner listen for a gurgling sound inside the rig when yo dump)
Solution #1 is to re-fill the traps. put a quart of water down each trap, each sink drain, and the shower, make sure there is water in the toilet bowl above the fulsh valve.
Solution #2 is to clear the blockage if it exists.
NOTE: I've seen this in buildings too.. People complaining about the stink in one of the restrooms.. Just dumped some water down the floor drain and the stink went away.
Note: 2: On many RV's there is a vacuum breaker on the drain line in the sinks and possibly shower.. This can let odor back into the motor home
Nothin adds excitment like something that is none of your business
John is Near Kenwood TS-2000 housed in a 2005 Damon Intruder 377
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movin'on
South Dakota
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Joined: 07/21/2008
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Do you have a washer/dryer? I had the same problem on a new 2006 Beaver and the service center checked the entire system (vents, tanks, ect). Everything checked out fine but the problem was still there when as I was driving. Luckily, one of the admin service guys sitting at a desk overheard us discussing (and cussing)the problem. After looking at my coach he said he would bet the problem is where the water drains for the clothes washer. The drain hose is just like it is in most houses with the end hanging onto the drain downpipe that goes to the gray tank. There should be a trap before the tank but with infrequent use of the washer the water will evaporate out of the trap and let the fumes get back into the coach up thru the pipe while you are driving. The amount of fumes that gets into the coach is determined by how much water is in the holding tank to sloush around and force them out along with any vacuum created if driving with windows or roof vents open. I had noticed that the terrible smell was more prevelant when I was slowing down and really bad if I had an agressive stop. I always drive with the windows and vents closed therefore there was not much of a vacuum created to draw the fumes out, so they were being forced up the downpipe into the coach. This fellow took some plumber's caulk, made a small rope roll and put it around the washer drain hose at the top of the black drain downpipe sealing the drain. Two years and I have not had any fumes again. Hope this will work!!
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