Forum Discussion

morada's avatar
morada
Explorer
Jul 01, 2017

Sewage odor

I have a 2014 Alpine 3600RS fifth wheel. Just got out on the road today for its maiden voyage.

Got to the RV park and have had a very strong sewage odor in the coach, but not outside or in the storage compartments.

Any ideas what is causing this? Oh, there are no leaks.

18 Replies

  • Pour water down all the drains. P-traps evaporate. Especially fast in hot weather in an RV just sitting empty and not being used.

    And yes 'some' RV bathroom sinks drain into the black tank.

    My bathroom sink drains into black tank and if I don't use that sink everyday during the hot weather the p-trap water evaporates. I know when I start smelling sewer odor.
  • X2 on the air admittance valve. Replaced ours when the rig was fairly new and the odor was gone
  • Pour some water down each sink and shower drain to assure the p traps have water in them so they can do their job of preventing odors from entering the house. Check to make sure toilet is not loose and making a good deal.
  • pour some water in the toilet see if it leaks out, seal could be bad and do all the above good advice.
  • if it was your maiden trip it could be that you have no water in the pee traps and the smell is coming from the grey tanks
  • Check under kitchen sink and bathroom sink for an Air Admittance Valve

    They are installed (hand tight) downstream of sink 'P' traps. They OPEN when you drain grey tank so water doesn't get sucked out of 'P' traps

    IF they don't close then grey tank odors can come back inside RV......grey tank can smell nasty---worst then black tank


    Home Depot/Lowes/Ace Hardware........