Sewer odors

[BMFLYFISH]

I hooked the sewer hose up at the campground but 2 hours later I am smelling sewage odors in my camper. Is this normal? Do you still treat the black tank even though the valves are open?

[B and B]

Hello
I would leave the black tank closed till you dump. Depending on the model of toilet some Dometic were recalled for leaking seals. It is possible the trap in the tub/shower drain, might be dry. I would add water to the fixtures to make sure. I know if the bowl doesn't hold water either there is something stuck on the seal or it is defective, i lube the seal with vegetable oil and this helps.

Some people have had issue with vent pipes being broken, look at simple solutions before digging too deep.

Brian

[TURBS]

As Brian said,
Only open sewer hose when your full and needing to dump.
Black first then grey

TURBS

"SABRE OWNERS UNITED"

[Joe_GA]

Be careful or you will get the dreaded poop pyramid! See below!
https://duckduckgo.com/?q=rv+poop+pyramid

[jwedell]

There are only 3 times when the black tank valve should be left open,
1 when dumping the tank only when 2/3 + full.
2 when flushing the tank.
3 when I winterized it.
All other times it should be closed. And use plenty of water (don't ask me how I know).




Started Out With Nothing,
Still Have Most Of It Left!

[hockeyfam]

I've been struggling with keeping the pooper pretty smelling! I agree with keeping the black closed until dumping. The day we are unhooking and leaving I fill the tank with water even if it is 2/3 full to get a full heavy flush out. Then iv'e been adding back about 1/4 tank of water with a citrus drop in and about 1/4 cup liquid dish soap. Don't know if my method is ok, but so far it's been working ok.

[Iwannacamp]

We mostly get "the odor" after I have towed the trailer. Does this sound like the 300 deal?


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[DK-in-SC]

Originally Posted by BMFLYFISH

I hooked the sewer hose up at the campground but 2 hours later I am smelling sewage odors in my camper. Is this normal? Do you still treat the black tank even though the valves are open?

As others have said, black should stay closed until you are ready to dump. If you want to keep the grey tank open, here is a little trick to keep out the stink:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dslcXoydeY4

Hope it helps.


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[jwedell]

Great idea, never thought of that.


Started Out With Nothing,
Still Have Most Of It Left!

[BMFLYFISH]

Thanks for the responses! My initial thought was that there was ample pea traps to keep the smell out. What a "stinky" way to learn a lesson!

[kpm]

I am new to this, but have almost completed my first season. I have not had any bad odors from the grey or black tanks.

This is my method that I am trying to refine....
1. when I get to the campground, I first dump the 1/3 full tank of treated water from the previous trip.

2. I then backfill the black tank to about 1/3 of fresh water from the campground and add a freshener additive/cleaner prepare it for use on the trip.

3. If the black tanks gets full during the trip, I dump it and fill it back to 1/3 for additional use.

4. When leaving, I make sure that the black tank is full then dump. I back flush a few times until the water looks pretty clear and free of solids.

5. After back flushing, I fill the tank with a little water and add a blue black tank cleaner and deodorizer pack. This treated blue water stays in the tank and sloshes around until the next trip.

My method takes a little while when dumping, but I'm happy because I get no odors. I do an abbreviated version of this for my grey tank.

I like this attachment for all of this.
Amazon.com: Camco 39062 Dual Flush Pro Holding Tank Rinser with Gate Valve: Automotive

[kpm]

Let me add that I did have an odor on my secon or third trip because I had the bathroom fan running when I opened the toilet trap. I later read on the forum here that doing this creates a situation where the odors are sucked from the black tank.

Also, when I am back flushing the black tank on cleanup day, I have the stabilizers up. I'm assuming that the shaking of the trailer while people are walking around sloshes/agitates the water and solids before dumping. This may be off base, but I thought of it this past weekend. Does this help?