Water smells in Camper

[Denise13065]

I have tried bleaching the lines twice in one month, but nothing seems to help the smell. I am at a permanent spot and for whatever reason, only the Seirra campers are having this issue. The smell is worse at Kitchen sink and the in the Galley. I have to assume there is a flaw in the water lines since only the Seirra's are having this issue. Any idea or clues on what we need to do. My neighbors camper is so bad, and is a year newer than mine, that they can't even use the water without airing out the camper. I have a 2013 365SAQ and so do they. There are a couple other Sierra's at the campground and I asked them if they had a bad smell in their water and they do as well. My neighbor on the other side have no issues what so ever. So we are all trying to figure this out. Any help would be appreciated!!

[Ida Ratherbe Camping]

All water or just hot? Thinking you all have same water heater and anode in the heater having bad reaction to water makeup. Smell like sulfur? All I got.

Hope you get it figured out.

[Denise13065]

All water, cold water is worse then the hot water.

[W5CI]

Change anode rod and flush HW heater very well. That should take care of the Sulfur smell, since it's both hot and cold you must have bad water

[awellis3]

Originally Posted by W5CI

... you must have bad water

OP said only one brand of trailer in the park has this problem. Must be related to how the park's water is reacting to the Sierra's plumbing system. The on-board water filter maybe?

[CaptnJohn]

Originally Posted by awellis3

OP said only one brand of trailer in the park has this problem. Must be related to how the park's water is reacting to the Sierra's plumbing system. The on-board water filter maybe?

Every camper I had with an onboard filter saw that removed in days. The inline hose filter is changed every 6 months of use. No leak problems and easier to get st as well.

[markb422]

If the water source is high in minerals (well) it will react badly to the aluminum tank of the hw heater. Water will have a nasty sulfur smell and even turn blackish.

[DouglasReid]

The problem is obviously NOT the water heater, since the cold water is worse adn it never goes near the water heater.

It sounds like the source has compounds in it that you need to filter out prior to it entering your camper.

I would suggest getting a charcoal filter in a canister and hooking it up inline prior to the water entering your camper. The canister and filters can be had at Lowes, Home Depot or any of the Big Box stores. I would follow this up with a Camco in-line filter to complete the filtering process.

The charcoal should filter out the problem chemical or compounds and the Camco Filter anything not taken out by the charcoal element.

Good Luck!

[jtstromsburg]

Have you flushed the washing machine lines?

[Dakota C Creek]

I had a similar problem in Donna TX rv park. It was in the water line so now I run a little water out before hooking up. Tried all the bleaching finally had to let it sit and dry out at home. That solved the problem. My guess it was stale in the hydrant.

[Wolverine 1945]

Maybe a stupid question,,, but have you check the water faucet before it enters your unit ??? And maybe the hose you are using ???
GOOD LUCK !!!

[ependydad]

Originally Posted by jtstromsburg

Have you flushed the washing machine lines?

This was my issue. I bleached the water system but neglected to sanitize the washing machine lines in the front closet because they're a hassle to get to. My problem came back within 2 weeks WITH A VENGEANCE.

We re-sanitized the system and made sure to get those. The moment my wife opened the tap up there, she almost threw up.

Eww, stinky water! Sanitizing the fresh water system. | Learn To RV

[Denise13065]

I would think if it was the camp ground water, all of the campers would be having this issue or at least in my area. There are about 12 campers on our line and only the Sierra's are having the issues. Hot and Cold water, so it makes be believe there is a flaw somewhere in our water lines. Something is not getting flushed properly. If you run about 15 - 20 gallons of water though it, it will be much better, but when you leave it for a few hours it is back. I've tried different filters, no filter, filter on the hose. Nothing seems to work. It would be nice if FOREST RIVER would step up and let us know how to fix this issue.

[Denise13065]

I initially bleached the hose too and since that didn't help, I bought a new hose. Same thing. I have not checked the Faucet, but I will do that. Again, only the Sierra's are having this issue. There are about 12 campers in our line and 4 of us have Sierra's. ONLY the Sierra's are having the issue.

[Denise13065]

I'm the only camper with a Wash machine and my water doesn't smell as bad as a couple of the other Sierra's. I'm trying to fix mine so it doesn't smell as bad as theirs.

[Wolverine 1945]

I would first make sure it is not a CG problem !!!
Stranger things have happened !!!
Again,,, GOOD LUCK !!!

[collinpr]

Okay, this past season in Yuma, had the sulfur smell bad. Did the bleach thing, helped very little.

Then occurred to me those water lines going to where a washer would be...
yep, opened those up and just about enough to make you puke. Loaded more bleach and ran thru the entire system. Presto fixed.

[Capsfloyd]

If you have a on board canister water filter, change that. Put on on the outside before water comes in

[collinpr]

Originally Posted by Capsfloyd

If you have a on board canister water filter, change that. Put on on the outside before water comes in

Yeah, got rid of the in line filter that came with the unit. Use external filters, no difference until I sanitized the whole system including the washer lines to the front closet.

I may install valves to close those lines off this coming winter season down South, no intention of having a washer in there.

My unit is a 365RL. Same issue at different parks.

[Jerrymac]

Hi

I'll tell you what I it is its not the water its the air vent under the sink for the drain, its bad and needs to be replaced. its a black vent on the top of the pipe coming from the drain pipe its not closing the air value to close of the smell. It does not have a pee trap. To drain the sink the vent will let air in the drain sink and close when no water is draining. Its bad.