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sewer smell

Neracoal
Explorer
Explorer
i am new to rv's. the family and i took our first trip where we have used the bathroom toilet.

Everything went well untill we left the site today.

once we got under way to head for home the smell comeing from the tank was like being in a outhouse.

we didnt empty the tank because everything i read says to wait till at least half full. We only had 1/4 full at the time.

Anyways after getting home i just added water right to the tank anxd went to a local rv dealer to dump the tank?

Is the smell normal when driving if it doesnt get emptied?

Neil
19 REPLIES 19

TyroneandGladys
Explorer
Explorer
You can also get a sewage smell from you grey tank. If you have not used the shower or a sink in a while the water in the s trap can evaporate letting odor in. To stop this or rule it out just add water to each drain. This has happened to us and to our neighbor.
Tyrone & Gladys
27' 1986 Coachmen

Rick_Y
Explorer
Explorer
Fulltimers wrote:
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!
Closely related to the above situation is when you have an exhaust fan in the bathroom running and you turn it up high. When you flush, the fan is creating a pull as it pushes air out the top of the RV. Guess what sort of gas is going to replace the pushed out air as long as the toilet valve is left open. 🙂
Rick & Karen
2017 Hideout 177LHS travel trailer
2021 Ford Ranger w/tow package, named "Lil Toe"

Estu inteligenta, kaj parolu Esperanton

campigloo
Explorer
Explorer
Good advice from JC2. I always use deodorant in empty tanks. I recently had this problem in mine; make sure the toilet holds water. Put a few ounces in it and check it every couple of hours or so. If it runs dry that could be where the problem is. It was a little icky(more mental than anything) but I reached down with a rag and scrubbed both sides of the little gasket in the bottom of the bowl and it seems to have done the trick.

JC2
Explorer
Explorer
Check and see if your black tank has a flush valve where you can hook up a "regular" green/yellow garden hose to it.(We carry a 25 footer for this only) There is a spray nozzle on the part that goes inside the tank that helps clean the tank walls, etc. If you don't have one, they can be purchased and installed about 8-12 inches below the top of the tank on the outside, or have it installed. Read the install instructions very carefully and "don't" overtighten the screws that go into the side of the plastic tank. These flushers are especially helpful for those times your black tank isn't technically full enough to dump but don't want to leave the contents in there. I believe these should be a standard item for all rvs. Always stay and monitor the flushing process which should take about 10 minutes. The black tank drain can either be closed then opened at the end of 10 minutes or left open during the 10 minutes. Do not walk away for any reason until your done.:B When complete, go inside the rv, fill the toilet tank bowl full of water about (3) times and flush to put some water back in the tank. Your done.

Black Tank Flush Valve
2010 Newmar Dutch Aire 4304,Cummins ISL 425hp,Spartan MM Chassis,2013 Chev Equinox AWD Towed,Ready Brute Elite TowBar/Brake,FMCA #402879,SKP#120487

sele
Explorer
Explorer
Neracoal wrote:
Tothill wrote:
We have a class c and in the summer always have windows and vents open when travelling.

Sometimes you do not have the option of dumping the tanks where you are staying.

I just drove 40 miles with a 1/2 full black tank (to get to the closest sani station) half that drive was over rough logging roads, no smell. We use lots of water, and tank deodorant (brand vary).

Something to check, our bathroom sink drains into our black tank, not grey. If the plug is left up, we can get smell. We always leave it down, just pop it up to drain the sink.

As others mentioned make sure there is water in all the drains.


I will have to check into where the bath sink drains....that seems very possible. Thanks.
My bathroom sink drains into the black tank I always put the plug in when traveling. This also how I add water to the black tank before emptying just turn the water on and let it run.
scott

Neracoal
Explorer
Explorer
Tothill wrote:
We have a class c and in the summer always have windows and vents open when travelling.

Sometimes you do not have the option of dumping the tanks where you are staying.

I just drove 40 miles with a 1/2 full black tank (to get to the closest sani station) half that drive was over rough logging roads, no smell. We use lots of water, and tank deodorant (brand vary).

Something to check, our bathroom sink drains into our black tank, not grey. If the plug is left up, we can get smell. We always leave it down, just pop it up to drain the sink.

As others mentioned make sure there is water in all the drains.


I will have to check into where the bath sink drains....that seems very possible. Thanks.

mlts22
Explorer
Explorer
Sometimes the grey tank can get pretty stanky, especially if the previous owner poured chicken or turkey grease down it.

Tothill
Explorer
Explorer
We have a class c and in the summer always have windows and vents open when travelling.

Sometimes you do not have the option of dumping the tanks where you are staying.

I just drove 40 miles with a 1/2 full black tank (to get to the closest sani station) half that drive was over rough logging roads, no smell. We use lots of water, and tank deodorant (brand vary).

Something to check, our bathroom sink drains into our black tank, not grey. If the plug is left up, we can get smell. We always leave it down, just pop it up to drain the sink.

As others mentioned make sure there is water in all the drains.

old_guy
Explorer
Explorer
not all bad or horrible smells come from the black tank. moving down the road may have emptied the pee traps in the sinks or the shower and the smell may be coming from the grey water tank. at times it came make you think it is the black tank.

CincyGus
Explorer II
Explorer II
Yes, fill that tank by pressing the tank flush until it's 1/2 to 3/4 full, then dump before coming home. DON"T wait until it's that full from use.

Also refill the bowl with a couple inches of water prior to the trip home to make sure the seal stays wet and traps any gas from escaping.

Lastly, keep the windows, vents shut to prevent the backdraft vacuum
2015 GMC 2500 Denali Crewcab 4x4
2019 Forest River Wolfpack 23pack15

Hope your travels are safe and the friendships made camping are lasting.

Neracoal
Explorer
Explorer
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.

Fulltimers
Explorer
Explorer
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!
Fulltimers
Fulltimers Weblog

2003 Rexhall Aerbus 3550BSL
W-22 Workhorse
2005 Saturn Vue (Mr. Toad)
3.5L V6 Automatic

HappyKayakers
Explorer
Explorer
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
Joe, Mary and Dakota, the wacko cat
Fulltiming since 2006
2006 Dodge 3500 QC CTD SRW Jacobs Exhaust brake
2017 Open Range 3X388RKS, side porch

mark5w
Explorer
Explorer
Try the Geo method to clean black tank: Geo method
'13 2018 JAYCO EAGLE HT FIFTH WHEEL | 30.5CKTS- '13 Ford F150 SCREW - PullRite Superslide - Roadmaster Active Suspension