Tow vehicle smells after towing

We tow a Grand Cherokee and a Wrangler and both stink after we tow them. Carbon smell. No biggie. First time I disconnected and smelled it, I was a little concerned. Haven't thought twice about it since and I am happy to know it is common.

WW

Thunder Mountain wrote:
I've got a question and a comment on this subject. First, the question... Do toads stink after being towed by gassers or is it just a diesel think? Just wondered since I only have DP experience and both (Jeep) toads stunk after being towed.

Now, for my personal observation. Our previous diesel was a 2007 HR Endeavor with the Cummins ISL. Since it was built in '06, it didn't have the additional pollution equipment required in '07. It was a smoker and would leave a soot film on the Jeep after a full day's towing. Our new '16 Winnebago doesn't smoke, doesn't stink and doesn't leave a film on the Jeep. After my first, all day tow I jumped into the Jeep and noticed there was only a slight stink. The wife and I talked about it and her overly sensitive nose agreed. After multiple days of towing and then driving the Jeep, we still haven't burning smell like we did with the '07. I wonder if, it has something to do with the advanced pollution controls.

Your comments...

Thundermountain,

There's a few thousand variables here. Some diesels burn a bit cleaner than others, some are equipped with more pollution control devices, chemicals, afterburn systems and a lot more. But, in all reality, ALMOST none of that makes any difference if a toad will "smell" right after its been towed for any given distance. I can't believe this thread had gone as far as it has.

It's been explained more than a few times. When a car/truck/vehicle is being driven down the road, almost all the operating components, especially the drive train, get warm. Some if it, as in the total exhaust system, GETS SERIOUSLY HOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So, when any form of debris, dust, water, mud, grease, oil, antifreeze, tire dust, plastic bags, saw dust, bush/tree components, branches, and anything and everything else, comes in contact with the exhaust system, it's immediately burned off.

The operator NEVER even knows that all this is going on, due to the fact that they're INSIDE the vehicle and, the vehicle is moving forward (most of the time) and, the instantaneous burning of anything that comes in contact with that exhaust, never really gets a chance to emit any odors.

But, when a car/truck/etc. is being used as a toad, any one or more of the aforementioned potential debris, CAN and WILL come in contact with that exhaust and, since that exhaust is COLD, that stuff will, in effect, stick to it. The more **** you drive through/over/on/ etc. i.e. dirt roads, fresh pavement, oiled roads, dusty conditions, and more, the more is deposited onto that exhaust system.

The exhaust DOES NOT BURN IT OFF, BECAUSE IT'S COLD!!!!!!!!!! But, when the toad is started and ran, especially at any speed or, conditions where the exhaust temps can rise even without speed, i.e. city/campgrounds/RV parks/low speed county roads/ and much more, then, whatever has been deposited onto that exhaust system will begin to burn off. And, again, if speeds in the toad are slow, that smell will begin to infiltrate into the inside of the vehicle.

Now, towing with a DP, no matter what DP, in all reality, will make no difference what so ever, in a situation like what's explained above. Our coach is an '04 Itasca Horizon 36GD with the C-7 330HP CAT and, it deposits absolutely ZERO soot, diesel dust, oil, ANYTHING on our toad(s). And, the blow-by tube has been extended to the very rear of the coach. We've towed with four different motor homes. Two were Class C gassers, one Dodge and one Ford. And, we've towed with one Class A gasser, a V-10 Ford. As stated, we now tow with a diesel coach.

We've towed Jeep wranglers for years and years and, with each and every one of those coaches. Each and EVERY SINGLE TIME we disconnect from any one of those coaches, the toads (Jeeps) SMELL due to the aforementioned deposited items/debris/dust/rain/mud and a whole lot more that has coated the Jeeps exhaust. It takes usually no more than about 2-4 minutes of running the Jeep at a given speed and operating temp, to burn off any deposited material on its exhaust system.

From that point on, it's "smell-less".
Scott

That stuff finds its way into and onto everything under the hood, fenders and you will notice even with the shield the windshield and top.
When they grease your MotorHome have them wipe away the excess grease. It gets thrown everywhere and onto the hot exhaust and other hot components and you windshield get it and then grit rubber, small stones and you name it.
Look at the alternator. I don't remember how it was on our Saturn you might want to take an air hose to it.
The radiator got a lot, of the stuff in it a time or two. It must aave come from underneath and back up.
When we got to destination first thing I did was wash it at campground or usually a car wash and use a hose on the radiator etc.
I wish we had our Saturn back. With the 2.4 engine it ran like a hot rod. And mileage was above 30mpg. Only think is I would have it reupholstered and better carpet. The Injectors had to be replaced twice from bad gas from Shell in north of Indianapolis, Indiana and somewhere else.
Just put new tires on it changed oil, always used synthetic, and brake flluid etc and aligned. Someone hit daughter in drivers side front fender tearing up trans and so forth and frame extension. If they had hit her head on the Road master sub frame would have shook it off and tore theirs up.

I've got a question and a comment on this subject. First, the question... Do toads stink after being towed by gassers or is it just a diesel think? Just wondered since I only have DP experience and both (Jeep) toads stunk after being towed.

Now, for my personal observation. Our previous diesel was a 2007 HR Endeavor with the Cummins ISL. Since it was built in '06, it didn't have the additional pollution equipment required in '07. It was a smoker and would leave a soot film on the Jeep after a full day's towing. Our new '16 Winnebago doesn't smoke, doesn't stink and doesn't leave a film on the Jeep. After my first, all day tow I jumped into the Jeep and noticed there was only a slight stink. The wife and I talked about it and her overly sensitive nose agreed. After multiple days of towing and then driving the Jeep, we still haven't burning smell like we did with the '07. I wonder if, it has something to do with the advanced pollution controls.

Your comments...

fcooper wrote:

AH64ID wrote:
Alternators get hot from normal operation. If the toad starts without a jump the battery isn't fully drained.

Not sure I agree. I am assuming that the engine on the toad is not running while being towed. I see no reason for the alternator to be a different temp than the rest of the vehicle. If I'm missing something, please let know why the alternator would be hot.

Fred

I read the comment as the alternator is hot when the smell occurs, which is when the toad is being driven, not towed.

AH64ID wrote:
Alternators get hot from normal operation. If the toad starts without a jump the battery isn't fully drained.

Not sure I agree. I am assuming that the engine on the toad is not running while being towed. I see no reason for the alternator to be a different temp than the rest of the vehicle. If I'm missing something, please let me know why the alternator would be hot.

Fred

Alternators get hot from normal operation. If the toad starts without a jump the battery isn't fully drained.

I would still want to know why the alternator is getting hot. It is not working being towed.

Hey folks...
I,m a little late in responding but wanted to thank everyone who responded to my smelly toad.
The problem was indeed diesel and tire residue from tailgating a greyhound bus for 1200 miles.

To put a different spin on things you are tailgating what three to four Feet away from a Greyhound bus

Diesel exhaust ,tire rubber for 2 to 3 hundred miles

There's your smell.