If anyone has a foul odor in their RV, you may want to consider your source....

In the 38 GK, there are Pressure Relief Vents. 1 under the sink in the bathroom and 1 under the sink in the master bedroom sink. Ours lasted about 3 years before the stench found its way into the cabin. We discovered this after other full-timers recommended leaving the grey water tanks open. The gas would find its way back in since the diaphram seals would not seal.

At Home Depot, I found these replacements for $14 each that work great so far. Now we leave the valves open all the time. Thanks to those who recommended leaving the valves open 😉

In our 36RL I've fought the battle with odours, there is a "cheater" that you describe under the bathroom sink and another behind a panel in the washer/dryer closet on the roadside slide. After replacing the one in the bathroom and having the replacement cheater fail I used the "Red Green" solution, I duct taped up the vent and the odour problems disappeared. I was told by a plumber that if you have a vent within 12 ft. of a drain then you don't need the "cheater", the roof vent from the tanks falls within this length.

I haven't been able to get to the cheater in the closet as the panel is up against the washer, it's a bit of a pain to move the washer.

I did find another possible odour source, our RL doesn't have a dishwasher but there is a "Y" connection that's in the drain from the sinks downstream of that in-line trap, I found it when I had the spice rack out. It appears to be open and it's purpose is to drain a dishwasher. You can't see it below the sinks as it's behind the panel to the left of the sinks. I'll duct tape that open "Y" as well.

FWIW, my opinion is that leaving the tank valves open would increase the possibilities of getting odours into the RV, especially in parks with poorly vented sewer systems.

In our FL, which is 4 yrs old we started getting odours in the bathroom this summer. Removed the valve, washed it in hot soapy water and re-installed. Didn't have to replace.

With respect to keeping Grey tanks open, I'm with Al, we only open to dump. When travelling and only staying 1 or 2 nights, I don't even connect the sewer unless I plan to dump the tanks.

I'm with you Andy. We do the same.

The auto vents used are not the best you can buy for sure. Saw some others at Lowes early this summer. I believe I was there looking to help Vaughan with a smell in his coach, which turned out to be a propane leak instead.

Chris

remember to have a "p" trap in your stinky slinky at the end by the dump hole, ours will stink you out or the RV if not one there. even after replacing the vents.

remember to have a "p" trap in your stinky slinky at the end by the dump hole, ours will stink you out or the RV if not one there. even after replacing the vents.

That seems like a good idea except that for us, winter is coming. In fact, we're expecting 27 degrees for a low come Thursday. I'm prepping for the cold now.

If I create a P-Trap in the slinky now, it will not let me flow out when its required.

I will say that it's been basically a week now. So far, so good. No issues and we leave the gray open full time.

When I have to dump the black tank, I use one of those shrivel hoses and fill the tank twice and flush. It's worked well so far. We have 4 in the RV full time and we average 2 weeks (give or take) before I have to flush. I used to hold gray water to flush the lines but I think this is better because it allows me to flush the black tank much better. On the first empty, it's pretty black as you can imagine. The second flush is still pretty black/brown. But by the third flush, the water is pretty clear. What that tends to tell me is that the black tank is not thoroughly emptied if you just pull and dump once. That could lead to build up and extra work none of us really want to tackle.

When we empty the black tank, we never get black colored water, only a dark to medium brown. Maybe its what we put into the tank RV Digestit. We also use plenty of water when we flush the toilet.

When we empty the black tank, we never get black colored water, only a dark to medium brown. Maybe its what we put into the tank RV Digestit. We also use plenty of water when we flush the toilet.

It's called black water because it has human waste in it. Toilet solids etc.. The grey tanks are for fluids from the washing machine, lav sink(s), kitchen sink, shower and dishwasher. I haven't actually seen black water from a black tank either, because it's not supposed to be black.

Chris

I'm well aware of that. My response was to GipCTravelers reply.

When we empty the black tank, we never get black colored water, only a dark to medium brown. Maybe its what we put into the tank RV Digestit. We also use plenty of water when we flush the toilet.

Ok, Ok....I was be illustrative...We all know what color poo is...

When we empty the black tank, we never get black colored water, only a dark to medium brown. Maybe its what we put into the tank RV Digestit. We also use plenty of water when we flush the toilet.

Ok, Ok....I was be illustrative...We all know what color poo is...

And by the way....by flushing a couple of times with clean water, the sensors actually work as they are supposed to (at least so far)...