Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 

Go Back   Thor Forums > Thor Tech Forums > Maintenance and Repair
Click Here to Login
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 03-15-2019, 10:10 PM   #1
Junior Member
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Outlaw 23h
State: New York
Posts: 24
THOR #13693
Sewer Smell

Just went on our first trip with our 2017 toy hauler. While camping our neighbor told me not to leave the valves open for the black and grey tanks. Said the wste will stick and stink. Well now that we're on the road it stinks so bad in the rv. Any thoughts?

__________________
Martinez is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-15-2019, 10:24 PM   #2
Senior Member
 
Popfla's Avatar
 
Brand: Still Looking
Model: S.O.B.
State: Florida
Posts: 684
THOR #14543
Exclamation

You should never leave the black water valve open, or you definitely will get sewer gas/odors inside the RV. You'll also get much better emptying by letting the tank fill and only emptying it when it is nearly full, but definitely empty it before leaving the last campground of your trip.
Similarly with the grey tank. Personally, I leave it closed until it needs emptying, and you want to use the grey water to flush the sewer hose after you empty the black tank. It is possible to leave it open if you form a trap in the sewer hose to keep fumes from entering the RV.
And lastly, if you leave both valves open at the same time, you risk having 💩 backfilling into your grey tank.
__________________
Ed
Some Other Brand w/2020 Jeep Gladiator Toad
Living The Dream in "God's Waiting Room"
Popfla is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-15-2019, 10:29 PM   #3
I Think We're Lost!
 
Bob Denman's Avatar
 
Brand: Still Looking
Model: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
State: New York
Posts: 22,195
THOR #8860
Are you leaving the overhead vent in the bathroom open, while driving?
That can often end up drawing gases up out of the blackwater tank (via the toilet), and into the RV...
__________________
"What: me worry?"
Good Sam Member 843599689
Current coach: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
Bob Denman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-15-2019, 10:29 PM   #4
Senior Member
 
The_Breeze's Avatar
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Chateau 31L
State: Florida
Posts: 2,063
THOR #12189
Quote:
Originally Posted by Martinez View Post
Just went on our first trip with our 2017 toy hauler. While camping our neighbor told me not to leave the valves open for the black and grey tanks. Said the wste will stick and stink. Well now that we're on the road it stinks so bad in the rv. Any thoughts?
Well, this problem stinks to high heaven.

Did you dump before you departed? If you left the waste in the sink, make sure to put the drain stop in to keep the grey vapors from backing up into bathroom and escaping through cracks (e.g. top and bottom of door).

As for the black, a lot of folks use a Camco Cyclone type vent cap to pull the sewer smell out of the black tank as they travel.

As for being stationary, yes - do not leave the valves open. The toilet waste will tend to pyramid, become nearly fossilized and you'll never get rid of it without having it power steam cleaned. If you already have this build up, then a toilet wand may help to exit the built up waste. Don't count on your black tank flush to do it. A 20yr full-timer told me about 4 'scoops' or a cup of Zinc Sulfate (think fertilizer) will deodorize and help breakdown the waste. If that's not your style, they sell special chemicals you put down the toilet after you dump.

Keep us posted and let us know what you decide to do.
__________________
The_Breeze is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-15-2019, 11:23 PM   #5
Senior Member
 
halfprice's Avatar
 
Brand: Still Looking
Model: Renegade Valencia 38RB
State: California
Posts: 3,496
THOR #3156
also check your air admittance valve. Should have one under the kitchen sink and one in bath vanity. If they are loose you will get smell
__________________
https://www.thorforums.com/forums/f2...mods-4609.html
Jerry, Maria, and Sasha 6lb Yorkie
2022 Renegade Valencia 38RB "Five Deuces"
2016 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sport
FMCA # F464385
halfprice is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-16-2019, 12:42 AM   #6
Senior Member
 
mountainsam's Avatar
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Gemini 23TR
State: California
Posts: 981
THOR #6701
After emptying at the camp ground before hitting the road I like to add about 5 gals of water to the black tank and let it slosh around as I drive to the next camp ground or dumping station before arriving home. Some folks even add a little Blue Dawn to help clean things up. And as stated by others, keep the drain closed in the sink, many rv bathroom sinks drain into the black tank. Happy Travels
__________________
2017 Gemini 23TR Ford chassis w/ power stroke 3.2
DW, Daughter and 2 dogs, Sofie (black lab/boxer) and Phoebe (schnoodle)
mountainsam is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-16-2019, 01:22 AM   #7
Site Team
 
16ACE27's Avatar
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: ACE 27.1
State: Florida
Posts: 14,117
THOR #7035
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob Denman View Post
Are you leaving the overhead vent in the bathroom open, while driving?
That can often end up drawing gases up out of the blackwater tank (via the toilet), and into the RV...
Shouldn't be coming out of the toilet if a water seal is left on it, BUT:

Generally there is a heater vent in the bathroom
Generally there is a heater vent in the wet bay
If you have any stink in your wet bay it is easily drawn through the joined heater vents into the coach, especially if you are drawing a vacuum by leaving any roof vent open while driving.
__________________
Ted & Melinda
2016 ACE 27.1
2016 Chevy Sonic Toad - Selling
2020 Chevy Colorado Z71 Trail Runner Toad
2024 Chevrolet Trax 2RS - Soon 2B TOAD
16ACE27 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-16-2019, 11:59 AM   #8
Senior Member
 
The Gritz Carlton's Avatar
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: THOR Chateua 35SF
State: Florida
Posts: 5,850
THOR #11130
Also, and something often forgotten/delayed, did you add chemicals back to the tanks with a little water after you emptied them? I always add a little chemical to the gray tank also. Make sure you run a little water in your sinks as well. Often, the vacuum from emptying tanks will pull the water from your P Traps, leaving them empty allowing fumes back up the pipes. There's also some type of anti-back flow vent under the sinks that you can adjust. Not sure of them but the factory service adjusted/replaced mine and have no more smelly issues since.
__________________
Now an SOB
Traded Thor for Melbourne Prestige 24NP
2018 THOR Chateau 35SF
Two Labs, Bugsie & Blondie
Blondie passed in 2020 at 5 to Leukemia
The Gritz Carlton is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-16-2019, 12:21 PM   #9
Axis/Vegas Enthusiast
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Axis 24.4
State: Michigan
Posts: 9,837
THOR #1150
I do hope you are not driving with the gate valves open !
__________________
2022 Thor Axis 24.4
2021 Mach-E
blog - https://spareelectrons.wordpress.com/
JamieGeek is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-16-2019, 12:33 PM   #10
Senior Member
 
Miramar Owner's Avatar
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Miramar 34.4
State: Iowa
Posts: 794
THOR #4488
I have found it is best to never travel with a full black tank and to always close the roof vents when heading out.

I did have a problem with sewer odors in the bedroom one time. My Miramar has washer/drier set up in the bedroom. I took everything from the closet and removed the panel on the back wall. That's when I discovered the stand pipe for the washer was missing its cap. When driving with full tanks from one camp site to the next it forced odor through that pipe.

I temporarily duct taped the pipe...problem solved.

Good luck on solving yours.
__________________
Miramar Owner is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-16-2019, 02:20 PM   #11
Senior Member
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: Georgia
Posts: 2,585
THOR #4735
you listened to your 'neighbor' ??
__________________
TurnerFam is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-16-2019, 02:23 PM   #12
Senior Member
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: Georgia
Posts: 2,585
THOR #4735
I always take anything anyone says, without me first asking their opinion, with a BIG grain of salt - meaning, I don't believe them and carry on just as I always have.

...some folks just think that 'telling' you things they think they know is somehow important for you, their 'neighbor', to know, when in fact, they themselves may have only 'heard' it from someone else, with no facts or real reasons for it to otherwise be 'true'. Just because others say that you should do it, doesn't make it something you should do.
__________________
TurnerFam is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-16-2019, 02:40 PM   #13
Senior Member
 
Popfla's Avatar
 
Brand: Still Looking
Model: S.O.B.
State: Florida
Posts: 684
THOR #14543
Quote:
Originally Posted by TurnerFam View Post
you listened to your 'neighbor' ??
In this case, the "neighbor" was 100% spot on when he/she saw that the OP had both valves open. Not only are sewer gases stinky, they can be dangerous and unhealthy when they build up inside the confined space of an RV.


Ever seen a methane explosion ?
__________________
Ed
Some Other Brand w/2020 Jeep Gladiator Toad
Living The Dream in "God's Waiting Room"
Popfla is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-16-2019, 03:22 PM   #14
Senior Member
 
The Gritz Carlton's Avatar
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: THOR Chateua 35SF
State: Florida
Posts: 5,850
THOR #11130
Depends on what the 'neighbor' says. They are RVers also and I first would assume they speak with experience. Qualify their advice but don't just shun it because you didn't think of it first or haven't had first hand experience with it yet. There's tons of excellent advice on this forum...there's also tons of opinions based on what one may think is logical. The greatest benefit of this forum is the fact that, whatever subject comes up, we will eventually have a plethora of "knowledge AND opinions" to choose from. The truth always will surface in anything you do.
__________________
Now an SOB
Traded Thor for Melbourne Prestige 24NP
2018 THOR Chateau 35SF
Two Labs, Bugsie & Blondie
Blondie passed in 2020 at 5 to Leukemia
The Gritz Carlton is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-16-2019, 04:10 PM   #15
Senior Member
 
K0LCB's Avatar
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Freedom Elite24FE
State: Texas
Posts: 542
THOR #12434
I always leave black tank valve closed until ready to dump. I use Happy Camper to help with odor. I usually leave grey tank closed until a couple days before ready to dump. Bu I’m still learning, I’ve only had RVs since 1976.
__________________
Freedom Elite 24FE, Big Foot hydraulic levelers. Wife is Marilyn, I am called LC
K0LCB is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-16-2019, 04:28 PM   #16
Senior Member
 
The_Breeze's Avatar
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Chateau 31L
State: Florida
Posts: 2,063
THOR #12189
Sewer Rats

Sewer rats are another one of our furry little friends from the animal kingdom we'd much rather not become friends with.

I wish I could find that vid again. Beattie little eyes staring back at you through the RV's toilet drain. We won't go into how they got it out.
__________________
The_Breeze is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-16-2019, 05:27 PM   #17
Senior Member
 
The Gritz Carlton's Avatar
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: THOR Chateua 35SF
State: Florida
Posts: 5,850
THOR #11130
Quote:
Originally Posted by TheBreeze View Post
Sewer rats are another one of our furry little friends from the animal kingdom we'd much rather not become friends with.

I wish I could find that vid again. Beattie little eyes staring back at you through the RV's toilet drain. We won't go into how they got it out.

And roaches, etc. Keep em closed, fill tanks up, then dump...repeat!
__________________
Now an SOB
Traded Thor for Melbourne Prestige 24NP
2018 THOR Chateau 35SF
Two Labs, Bugsie & Blondie
Blondie passed in 2020 at 5 to Leukemia
The Gritz Carlton is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-23-2019, 11:16 PM   #18
Junior Member
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: Michigan
Posts: 14
THOR #4885
We had a problem with smell and it was coming from our shower drain. Fill all you drains before leaving.
__________________
climberbob is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-24-2019, 08:48 AM   #19
Member
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: North Carolina
Posts: 61
THOR #5951
POPFLA's 3/15/2019 5:24 PM post is sound, good advice and SOP for waste water hook-ups. Follow it and you can't go wrong. Don't forget to keep cleaner/deodorizer in your tanks also.
__________________
roy stone is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-26-2019, 02:11 PM   #20
Junior Member
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Challenger 37KT
State: Florida
Posts: 18
THOR #13371
Ice it down......

After emptying and flushing our black tank at the site, we always add a bag (or two) or ice into the tank thru the toilet for the drive home (or to next site). The sloshing of the ice while driving down the road will loosen things up and the ice melts to keep a small amount of water in the tank. By the time we're home (or the next site) - we add the deodorizer chemicals for storage.
__________________
Pittstop is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Thor Industries or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.




All times are GMT. The time now is 05:41 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Content Relevant URLs by vBSEO 3.6.0 PL2