Gas

I have one of the Jayco's that had Formaldehyde outgassing. The smell was so bad after the unit was closed up during the summer that I would get a sore throat and burning eyes during a rapid dash to open all the windows and let it air out. Once aired for an hour or two the smell would be gone for the duration of the trip.

If you have a propane leak it is supposed to smell like onions. Personally I don't identify that smell as onions, but that's what I read on the internet so it must be true.

It could also be the air admittance valve under the sink is stuck open. This valve breaks vacuum when the sink is shut off so the tank doesn't siphon out the trap. Look under the sink and there should be a vertical spur sticking up off the drain pipe. Unscrew it and see if the flapper works in one direction only. (air flowing into tank only) If it's bad you can get a new one for a few dollars at Home Depot. Just unscrew the old one and replace it. Link to valve

If you have kids you might want to look in the cabinets and under beds and furniture to see if there is some rotten food or something.

Aside from that can you describe the gas smell? Does it smell like something you're familiar with like gasoline or propane or sewer?

wa8yxm wrote:
Propane.. I'm told the odor is "Essence of skunk" but I've smelled it. and I'd not describe it that way. Alas I know it when I sniff it. but... I can't describe it.

Propane is a colourless, odourless gas - what you smell is the mercaptan added to propane which contains sulphur and is the smell you detect as "propane".

Gray water, garbage, leaking propane, generator

Off gassing of adhesives and some materials used in the construction of your RV. Leave some windows cracked open.

Off gassing of adhesives used in the construction of your RV. Leave some windows cracked open.

thehippie wrote:

Terryallan wrote:

thehippie wrote:
Whats that gas like smell when i enter my rv trailer? This happens especially when i havent used or entered my trailer for a month.

The propane tanks are all off.

No alarms from my gas detector.

Could it be formaldahide? (Spelling) Some makers use to use it. Smells pretty loud

formaldehyde?

Yep. Widely used in camper manufacture.

Optimistic Paranoid wrote:
According to the Wikipedia article, Formaldehyde is mainly used in the production of industrial resins, eg: for particle board and coatings.

Yes. It was used by "most" not all RV manufacturer's for years, and years. In Jaycos. The smell of a new one, was so bad you couldn't stand to stay in one long. Had to be aired out.

IT COULD BE your batteries are dry and burning up, puts off a nasty smell.

There is gas, gas, gas, gas and gas and they all smell different

Sewer gas (Black/gray tanks) is mostly methane smells like, well I'll let you figure that one out.

Batteries give of H2S (Hydrogen suflide) Essence of rotten eggs
Water heaters can do this too (The hot water)

Propane.. I'm told the odor is "Essence of skunk" but I've smelled it. and I'd not describe it that way. Alas I know it when I sniff it. but... I can't describe it.

Turn on Stove burner for like 1-2 Seconds (no longer) without lighting (propane on of course) and sniff... THen let it air out a bit. NO SMOKING or sparks or flames while doing this (though 1-2 seconds you will likely be safe.

Remember the answer I gave to the question
What happens if you mix air and propane in the proper ratio and there is a spark or flame?

Answer: You land 2 counties over
(room breakes down in laughter)
Instructor "Exactly"

Could be from your black tank. When I am not going to use my trailer for more than a few weeks, I rinse out the black tank and "sanitize" it by filling it with water and adding a good amount of chlorine bleach, let it sit for an hour or so, then drain it. If you can't fill and drain like that, try just pouring a cup or so of bleach down the toilet, don't really need a whole lot.

Septic tanks can give off a "gas" smell, so it is something to think about.