sewer smell

this is on a used class c.

the front door window had been down. i bet that could have been alot of it.

Thank you for all the useful info.

What you experienced could be normal. If you had a window or vent open while going down the road, you will cause a vacuum, which will suck air down the tanks roof vent and inside the RV. It was probably actually the gray water tank, which can smell worse than the black tank. The vacuum can suck air up past the trap even though there is water in it. To cure this either close all windows and vents or get some of these tank vent covers or something similar. They really work!

gcloss wrote:
We were camping for 5 days this weekend with temps in the 90's. I dumped everyday because of the heat and added lots of water each time.

Now that's overkill :R

Try the Geo method to clean black tank: Geo method

Is the rv brand new or used? If used, could be a lingering issue from previous owner that got stirred up with your usage. Otherwise, make sure you use lots of water, especially with solids and toilet paper. We use TST deodorizer that you can buy at Walmart. It's by thetford I believe. Does it work? Don't know as we haven't had any smelly trouble. Been using it over 3 years. Hate to break the cycle and have a problem. Lol.

Guess i will call it lesson learned......i will get empty it everytime for now on. Thanks.

1/4, 1/3, 1/2 or 3/4 .... I always dump and flush before I leave the CG no matter what level the black tank is at. We were camping for 5 days this weekend with temps in the 90's. I dumped everyday because of the heat and added lots of water each time.

Why on earth didnt you just add water to the black tank before you left, and dumnp at the park? I always empty my fresh tank by flushing it all down the toilet. This gives me plenty of water to dump.

I think that sometimes when moving the gases can get sucked back into the rig...but here's something others may know that I only just learned recently:

Some RV toilets have an "overflow port" under the rim of the toilet. (In case the bowl fills up with water somehow.) Anyway, that hole has a "j-trap" that prevents sewer gases from rising back into the rig- but if there's no water in it, there's no seal.

Supposedly, if that trap "sloshes empty" when underway, you'll get the smell in the rig.

Might be a long shot, but maybe worth checking out...especially if the smell was stronger back by the john.