Walmart Toilet Chemical vs. RV Dealer Toilet Chemical

Check your venting system. Then consider trying The Geo Method.

Those after-market vent caps work great.

As a seasoned camper, you should already know about things like the water seal in the toilet, and making sure that there is water in the sink trap (if it ties into the Black tank).
I wonder if there isn't a problem with the seal under the toilet? Which might be taken care of, if you used one of those vent caps that actually PULLS the fumes out.

Chemicals are chemicals....I doubt that there is any real difference between the Walmart and other brands. At least not enough to cause these issues. After all, if it was that bad for everyone, who'd buy them?

Good luck:)

jeeptp75 wrote:


Has anyone used any of those after market vent caps to assist in venting? Do you really see a difference with those? I alway felt that if properly installed the stock caps would work fine.

Thanks again!

Yes I have installed (very easy) the Camco 40595 RV Cyclone Sewer Plumbing Vent...

It works...

Tim

We are not on a seasonal site. We keep the valves closed until we leave or if at a site with sewage we keep it closed until we need to dump.

I was suspecting a vent issue as well expecially since this is a brand new camper and there could always be a small issue if something moved or campe loose like a few of you have suggested.

The camper was at the dealer this past week for a weather stripping issue around a window. They said they drained and cleaned the black tank and have no odor. I am going to bring it back home and use it again and see if the issue comes up again. If it does I will be sure to question venting.

Has anyone used any of those after market vent caps to assist in venting? Do you really see a difference with those? I alway felt that if properly installed the stock caps would work fine.

Thanks again!

There are a couple possibilities other than the brand chemical used. Since you noticed it quite soon after moving to new trailer they are suspect.

Are you camped on a seasonal site with either of the dump-valves left open? A big no-no since it allows fumes to get into RV.

The other case might be that the holding-tank vent which is supposed to stay in the upper part of holding tank may have slipped farther down in the tank into the liquid. Vapor in air, inside tank, can not be drawn outside.

Sounds more like a venting problem to me. These systems rely on rooftop vents to vent those tanks. They could be partially blocked or the pipe running from the roof to the tank could be inserted to deep in the tank which when the liquid level reaches the bottom of the vent pipe will force all the gasses produced to push back inside when the toilet is flushed. Is the smell a constant one or happens after some use?

How much water do you use. When I flush I use lots of water and I never have any odor. Also, I do not use any chemical additives. Lots of water is the secret. I would check under the bath room sink. Se if there is a vacuum break there. If so it may be stuck open. They are easy to replace, just unscrew and screw on a new one. There is nothing wrong with Wal Mart chemicals, many are the same as your RV dealer sells.

I think the RV dealer just wants to sell you something. I have been using the Thetford products, either in liquid or in pod form, since I got my rig and it seems to work well. You can get it online at a good price.