The Nose Knows

My solution for smells in the camper has always been simple.

Open all the windows, build a good smokey camp fire outside the camper down-wind. Let the smoke blow inside the camper. The smokier the better. Close up the camper a few hours. Then open all the windows and door and air it out.

It won't smell like mold any more, it won't have bad odors any more. But it will smell like camp fire smoke a while. That's a much better smell than some other uncomfortable odors. By the time the smoke smell FINALLY goes away, the original smell will be gone too.

I know this sounds a bit weird, I've posted several times and always get off-the-cuff responses (which is OK, I enjoy humor too, even if it's on me!). But, this does work. (Just be patient getting the smoke smell out of the camper. It can linger for quite a while!)

From the land of mold & mildew...

Pot
Stove
Fan
Bleach
Water
Vanilla extract (genuine)

One cup bleach. 2 cups water. Place fan far enough away it doesn't blow flame out. Add tablespoon vanilla. Open all cabinets and cupboards. Simmer solution. Turn on A/C fan only.

Leave for half-hour but keep an eye on things.

Air unit out.

Get kiss from DW

If the unit smells moldy inside, I would do some serious checking for leaks. I have not used my RV in over a year and it sits outdoors closed up. No odors. No mold.

Run the exhaust fan for several days.

Have you checked all areas underneath - the space between the floor and underbelly (especially around the tanks), the basement around the water pump and plumbing, etc? If that's where the smell is originating, it could still be making its way up inside the unit.

Rob

bobcouch wrote:
Getting the 5th wheel ready for our next long trip. It has been sitting for almost a year, and the wife says it smells "moldy" inside.
I've shampooed carpets, wiped down all surfaces, cleaned the AC with clorox, and she still says it smells. I CAN'T SMELL IT AT ALL, which makes finding the source that much harder.
I've thought of renting an ozone generator, but can't think of anything else to do.
Any suggestions?

Uh Bob, sorry to point this out to you but your wife just got a major housekeeping service performmed on the 5er, give her credit for avoiding having to do it herself. Kudo's Ms. Couch.

I think any unit that has been closed up for a year, in a warm environment is going to have some smell. Air it out, if you can, before leaving. Rub a little Vicks on wife's chest occasionally, and call it good!:W

Jerry

Good luck. You may have to trade your Fifth Wheel and/or wife. Females can smell things over the phone that we can't smell when it's in front of us. :B

I used an ozone generator when I had a major leak in our Southwind. It did a good job and my DW is happy with the results.

After a little while inside she will not smell it either. Go outside for a while and then back inside to hunt for source.

If it is mold/mildew then a trip to warm dry area will help, at least until you get back to E. TX. Check all the cabinets, drawers, etc for a damp rag or similar item. Maybe the carpet under the bed, open everything and air it out with some baking powder on the carpets.