Help, my bathroom and camper smells like an outhouse, nothing working

[Deanowolf]

My Geo Pro 16BH is great except the toilet.
Sorry this is long, but I wanted to give as much information as possible.
Took off my toilet and replaced the sponge seal and just in case, the ball valve seal.
I have done everything to not have it smell like an outhouse; throughly cleaned the black tank to where there was nothing left behind except clear water coming out and looking in the tank to see nothing was left behind with a borescope.

I’ve used Port a Potty drops, Campco drops, I went to an RV center and I just bought the Unique Digest It. Followed the instructions, even using 5 gallons of water and 4 oz of the stuff, but same results after an hour of just letting it sit.
I know it’s not going to get rid of the smell 100%, but there’s got to be something I’m not doing to at least cut down the slap you in the face outhouse smell by 50%.
Some background. As we left for our trip to Oregon from Southern California, we had no smell the few times we used it on the way up, doing an overnight at a campground, and the following day driving to Oregon. The problem didn’t start till during the heat wave here in Oregon and since, nothing seems to work to cut down the stench.

The only way to help cut down the smell is keeping the fan on #3 the whole time, even when driving. If I didn’t do that while driving, opening the camper door, again, the smell slaps you hard in the face.
I even checked the vent on top and nothing was closing it off.
Also I always keep some water in the tank and this helps slightly.

Hopefully someone has experience on how to get rid of this smell, imo I don’t think it should be slapping you in the face when you open the door.
My patience is wearing thin and at this point, I’m about to just replace the whole dame tank!

We had a terrible smell also. We flushed the black tank. Put Unique in filled the back tank almost all the way up. Left it for 48 hours. Noticed it was getting better. Now a couple months later it's much better. I still use Unique.

 

[garywilson]

Thank you for the advice and how this toilet retains pee, lol.

I’ll give Dometic a call and see what I can get., thank you

Dometic replaced my brother-in-law's with the upgrade, no charge, no pressure.
He sold the new Dometic and bought another brand.
Regardless, they sent it to him because they were aware of the issue.

 

[Bourbonfan]

Part of your problem is caused by putting bleach in your black tank. Search this topic in this forum for more information on this. As I understand it, bleach kills the enzymes in the tank, which are necessary to break down the solids and help eliminate the smells. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[garywilson]

Part of your problem is caused by putting bleach in your black tank. Search this topic in this forum for more information on this. As I understand it, bleach kills the enzymes in the tank, which are necessary to break down the solids and help eliminate the smells. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

Not really.

Sometimes flushing with the exhaust fan on pulls the odor out. Usually not an issue if you flush quickly. It isn't really a flush, more like a dump.

Black is just a holding tank...if you wait a while and it starts perking like a septic system it stinks worse.

Ask me how I know...whew!

 

[Marc Goldstone]

My Geo Pro 16BH is great except the toilet.
Sorry this is long, but I wanted to give as much information as possible.
Took off my toilet and replaced the sponge seal and just in case, the ball valve seal.
I have done everything to not have it smell like an outhouse; throughly cleaned the black tank to where there was nothing left behind except clear water coming out and looking in the tank to see nothing was left behind with a borescope.

I’ve used Port a Potty drops, Campco drops, I went to an RV center and I just bought the Unique Digest It. Followed the instructions, even using 5 gallons of water and 4 oz of the stuff, but same results after an hour of just letting it sit.
I know it’s not going to get rid of the smell 100%, but there’s got to be something I’m not doing to at least cut down the slap you in the face outhouse smell by 50%.
Some background. As we left for our trip to Oregon from Southern California, we had no smell the few times we used it on the way up, doing an overnight at a campground, and the following day driving to Oregon. The problem didn’t start till during the heat wave here in Oregon and since, nothing seems to work to cut down the stench.

The only way to help cut down the smell is keeping the fan on #3 the whole time, even when driving. If I didn’t do that while driving, opening the camper door, again, the smell slaps you hard in the face.
I even checked the vent on top and nothing was closing it off.
Also I always keep some water in the tank and this helps slightly.

Hopefully someone has experience on how to get rid of this smell, imo I don’t think it should be slapping you in the face when you open the door.
My patience is wearing thin and at this point, I’m about to just replace the whole dame tank!

My Sportscoach 339DS had an unterminated black tank vent pipe hidden behind the spice cabinet and shower wall. There should have been a roof vent but there wasn't. The fix was to drill a hole through the roof above the vent pipe and add a roof vent. No mpore odor! Only took me two years to discover the hidden vent pipe!
Marc

 

[Bob K4TAX]

We had a Dometic 300 in our TT. It smelled to high heaven, much like an old outdoor privy.

Removed it, and saw how it was poorly made and assembled. Deciding to replace O rings and other parts was only a bandaid repair job. The permanent repair is to place the 300 in the trash and install a new 310.

The 310 is a direct fit for the 300. The 320 requires a bit more space. Measure carefully.

Bob

 

[stepha.fleming]

My Geo Pro 16BH is great except the toilet.
Sorry this is long, but I wanted to give as much information as possible.
Took off my toilet and replaced the sponge seal and just in case, the ball valve seal.
I have done everything to not have it smell like an outhouse; throughly cleaned the black tank to where there was nothing left behind except clear water coming out and looking in the tank to see nothing was left behind with a borescope.

I’ve used Port a Potty drops, Campco drops, I went to an RV center and I just bought the Unique Digest It. Followed the instructions, even using 5 gallons of water and 4 oz of the stuff, but same results after an hour of just letting it sit.
I know it’s not going to get rid of the smell 100%, but there’s got to be something I’m not doing to at least cut down the slap you in the face outhouse smell by 50%.
Some background. As we left for our trip to Oregon from Southern California, we had no smell the few times we used it on the way up, doing an overnight at a campground, and the following day driving to Oregon. The problem didn’t start till during the heat wave here in Oregon and since, nothing seems to work to cut down the stench.

The only way to help cut down the smell is keeping the fan on #3 the whole time, even when driving. If I didn’t do that while driving, opening the camper door, again, the smell slaps you hard in the face.
I even checked the vent on top and nothing was closing it off.
Also I always keep some water in the tank and this helps slightly.

Hopefully someone has experience on how to get rid of this smell, imo I don’t think it should be slapping you in the face when you open the door.
My patience is wearing thin and at this point, I’m about to just replace the whole dame tank!

Check your vent fan. We had a similar issue with our Vibe and found the fan wired backwards. Pulling in instead of out and since the vent was about 6" away well you can guess the rest.

 

[Outsider]

Smelly Dometic 300

Just FYI, (1) the failing Dometic 300 is likely your problem, (2) I had the same odor in my 2020 Geo Pro G19FD when it was just over 1 year old. I reported the issue to Rockwood but they refused to do anything because I was the 2nd owner. I then contacted Dometic and after a little time with a rep they agreed to send me a new "upgraded Mld 300". I received and installed the unit and it performed fine until about 6 weeks ago and the odor returned. You can actually see the yellow/brown liquid inside the rear of the unit if you look just over the top of the seat cover into the rear opening with a flashlight. Yep, it was there again. The odor worsened quickly so I called Rockwood/Forest River again first and left messages stating the problem and asking if the Dometic 310 was an EXACT replacement for the 300 in my particular camper (I had read here on the forums that the seat on the 310 would not stay up when installed in the G19FD, needed about another 1/2" clearance.) Figuring Forest River would not do anything since they refused the first time, I called Dometic, gave them the full details (it had been 2 years almost to the day since they replaced the last one for me) and they immediately agreed to send me another "UPGRADED 300". I pushed for a 310 and informed them that I'd pay the difference in price to get the 310 but the rep assured me that there was NO provision for upgrading to the 310 in meeting a request of this type.


The new 300 should arrive in another 3-5 business days so I guess I'll try it one more time. Good luck getting yours replaced.

 

[Stryker Guy]

Sewer smell will also come from the grey tanks and a stuck air admittance valve on one of the sink drains will let this smell come into the camper.

I agree. I have replaced 2 of these faulty valves in 2 season. Pardon the pun but they are crap. I finally replaced mine with a solid elbow.

 

[chopperdog45]

You will be better off long term in just replacing the Dometic 300 with a Dometic 310. The fix may work but if/when it fails you will be kicking yourself for not just replacing the whole thing. As a bonus, the 310 feels much more stable and is easier to clean. Depending on the age of your camper, you may be able to get Forest River to send you a replacement 310 for about $75.00

Yeah, I think I would rather spend the $75 for a new toilet than pulling apart a used toilet that is potentially filled with pee inside.

 

[Bob K4TAX]

The Dometic 300 toilets are noted to leak and collect urine in the base. It will stink to high heaven. Nothing like the smell of "aged pee".

There is only one solution. Remove the Dometic 300 toilet and put it in the trash. Then replace it with a Dometic 310.

Your issue will be solved. How do I know this? I had the same situation and choose the same solution.

Bob

 

[AJFishin]

Here’s an update on everything which was done last month.

I contacted Dometic and talked to the customer service representative.
First off because this is an on going problem, when you call you actually get a number option that brings you directly to a rep handling the 300 series toilet, so there is no guessing on who to talk to or what number option to press. Once connected I was 7th in line lol.

Talked to the rep and first if you are NOT the original owner of the RV they will not give you the option of upgrading the toilet, kind of stupid but Dometic isn’t known for awesome customer service.
Maybe a person can argue with them and they might bend their rules, but personally, I’m not going to argue with the rep over a toilet, it’s something I would rather put time and money into purchasing a completely different manufacturer’s toilet if it comes down to it.

Anyway, the process was simple and like I said, they won’t upgrade the toilet for an extra cost IF you are not the original owner of the RV, they will only replace the toilet with the same, but “upgraded model”.

They will you ask you a couple questions and then you will be emailed a short form to fill out and they do want to verify you actually own the RV that has the problematic 300.
In that email you will need to send a copy of your RV’s title to show proof of ownership, this is to make sure people are not scamming them for a new toilet, which I can understand. FYI, I sent a black and white copy and only the information they need to see.
There’s also other basic information that needs to be filled such as the model number off of the old toilet, mine was easy to take a picture of near the foot pedal.

Once everything was emailed back to them, the next day I got confirmation they received my info and a FedEx tracking number for my new 300 toilet and about 5 days later it showed it.

Now the rep did say, “they fixed the problem with the toilet and it should not have any issues like the old ones did. If it fails, I can call them back and request another toilet.”
If this one does fail, I will request a second toilet, maybe push a little harder to get an upgraded one, but if that fails I will just buy myself a new different manufacturer’s toilet and be done with it.

Hope this information helps.

 

[MNtraveler]

After you replace the toilet (and I hope it's that...), if you still smell stuff stick your nose under the sink where the air admittance valve is and if it makes you about to puke, that's the culprit. This is a very easy fix. Also you can cover the valve with a plastic bag and a rubber band as a TEMPORARY fix - the system does need the air admittance valve just like it needs the soil stack, but it can live without it until you can pick up a new one. Basically the old one screws off and the new one screws on. Be sure to order one for the right pipe size or get one that has a multi-size fitting (adaptor). Good luck!

 

[Larry-NC]

Heh!

If this one does fail, I will request a second toilet, maybe push a little harder to get an upgraded one, but if that fails I will just buy myself a new different manufacturer’s toilet and be done with it.

Hope this information helps.

Haven't looked at alternatives yet, have you? Our 2008 Cherokee has a Thetford toilet. It seems to work fine. But I follow these forums pretty closely and have never heard of anyone having any other brand besides Dometic.

 

[KKonyha]

Our V-Lite originally came with a Thetford. The foot valve had a poor design seal and would constantly leak. Replaced several years ago with a Dometic 310. No issues since.

 

[Larry-NC]

Our Thetford...

Our V-Lite originally came with a Thetford. The foot valve had a poor design seal and would constantly leak. Replaced several years ago with a Dometic 310. No issues since.

Our Thetford--can't think of the model number right now--doesn't have a foot valve. The hand valve is just a plastic lever just outside the seat hinge. It's a 2008, we've had it since 2012, and it still works fine.

 

[Qwkynuf]

Here’s an update on everything which was done last month.

I contacted Dometic and talked to the customer service representative.
First off because this is an on going problem, when you call you actually get a number option that brings you directly to a rep handling the 300 series toilet, so there is no guessing on who to talk to or what number option to press. Once connected I was 7th in line lol.

Talked to the rep and first if you are NOT the original owner of the RV they will not give you the option of upgrading the toilet, kind of stupid but Dometic isn’t known for awesome customer service.
Maybe a person can argue with them and they might bend their rules, but personally, I’m not going to argue with the rep over a toilet, it’s something I would rather put time and money into purchasing a completely different manufacturer’s toilet if it comes down to it.

Anyway, the process was simple and like I said, they won’t upgrade the toilet for an extra cost IF you are not the original owner of the RV, they will only replace the toilet with the same, but “upgraded model”.

They will you ask you a couple questions and then you will be emailed a short form to fill out and they do want to verify you actually own the RV that has the problematic 300.
In that email you will need to send a copy of your RV’s title to show proof of ownership, this is to make sure people are not scamming them for a new toilet, which I can understand. FYI, I sent a black and white copy and only the information they need to see.
There’s also other basic information that needs to be filled such as the model number off of the old toilet, mine was easy to take a picture of near the foot pedal.

Once everything was emailed back to them, the next day I got confirmation they received my info and a FedEx tracking number for my new 300 toilet and about 5 days later it showed it.

Now the rep did say, “they fixed the problem with the toilet and it should not have any issues like the old ones did. If it fails, I can call them back and request another toilet.”
If this one does fail, I will request a second toilet, maybe push a little harder to get an upgraded one, but if that fails I will just buy myself a new different manufacturer’s toilet and be done with it.

Hope this information helps.

I guess it must depend a lot on who you get on the phone.

I have a 2020 Flagstaff that we bought in October of 2019, and it has the 300 toilet. That one worked fine until the spring of 2022, when it started with the smell.

I'm pretty handy, and figure that almost anything can be fixed, so I took that one apart. I saw where (and why) it was leaking - it's definitely a design failure - and I cleaned it up really well and took a shot at sealing the leaking o-rings with silicone. I figured that I wasn't out anything if it didn't work. That seemed to resolve the issue for more than a year.

The problem came back on our most recent camping trip two weeks ago, so I planned to go ahead and buy a 310 and be done with it. A couple hundred bucks to replace a toilet that we got nearly 4 years of use out of, wasn't going to break me.

I called Dometic's support number, (knowing that it was well out of warranty) mostly just to see if they would offer me the discounted upgrade like others have gotten. Heck, if nothing else, $75 is better than $250.

So I told the guy that it was almost 4 years old, the smell had recently started, cleaning wasn't helping, and asked if they had any suggestions to improve the situation before I went out and bought a replacement.

He asked for the serial number of the toilet and the VIN from my trailer and told me that the toilet normally had a 2 year warranty, but they had been extending coverage for 3 years due to the problems that people were experiencing. He pointed out that I was more than 7 months beyond even the 3 years, but said that his manager had authorized some exceptions in the past, and asked if I would mind waiting on hold while he went and asked her.

When he came back he said that she had authorized replacement. He said that he needed to create a sales order and asked if I would mind holding again. He wanted to get the order submitted and get a shipping confirmation from the warehouse before he ended our call, and said that it might take 10-15 minutes for both of those things to happen.

That conversation happened the afternoon of Thursday, June 15. I received a tracking number Friday morning, and a new 300 was sitting on my porch on Tuesday the 20th.

I didn't have to fill anything out or submit any documentation beyond the information that I provided him over the phone.

I would have really preferred to install a 310, but I am happy to use the new plastic one until it fails again, and wait until later to spend that money.

 

[AJFishin]

I did come across a Thetford at an RV shop in Oregon when I was up there visiting that I was told would fit. From my notes I wrote down Thetford 42169, but I never did any measurements because from the advice of the sales guy, he suggested I get the replacement 300 since it would be free and maybe I might get lucky with a new 300.

Thetford would be my choice for a different brand since I had a Thetford porta potty in one of my previous boats and in my old Gulf Stream RV, I had a Thetford, all with no issues.

Here's the email I got from Dometic with the information they required after I gave them my information in order to create the sales order, pretty basic.