Tank odor outside/roof vent?

[frazierdee]

We are FT'ers, staying for the unknown future just north of Phoenix. With a 2000 Monaco LaPalma. We notice a tank/sewer smell when we are outside, sitting in the awning area (passenger side of course). Of course it's getting a little warmer here so that makes it a little stronger.

I use the GEO method, works great, no odor inside the toilet or coach or outside by the tanks, except minimal during dumping. In fact it smells better on the tank side than on the other side. I dump every 4-5 days usually, because we are FT and are here most of the time. I leave the gray open until day before dump, then close so I can do first rinse with that, then do the fresh water flush - every time same routine.

I'm thinking it's a roof vent issue. When we first got the MH last July we had an indoor odor while moving. We had a new roof vent installed - recommended here, can't remember name or style. Except it was NOT a solar one, but the kind that works when you are moving. That worked great, no more problems while on the road. Now I'm wondering if a solar vent would be better while we aren't moving.

I've browsed the forums here but haven't found quite the same problem. What experiences and brand recommendations do you folks have? Or - am I way off in my thinking? I've read about batteries causing a sulfur smell, but I keep the water level checked and although the smell does seem to be coming from that area - vaguely - I believe that's also near the vents? Thanks in advance -

[puttin]

First, your new vent attachments are designed to keep odors from inside your rig- so if you catch an occasional wif outside I would think it's normal. You should know that sewer odors in general at camp grounds and rv parks are stronger outside if folks keep their valves open. (It's a path for all the septic smells to travel back into your rig from the termination in the ground back through your hose and up the vent stack.) It's great you're using the geo method too- it helps keep tanks healthy and it's easier on the municipal septic system.

[Gormleys]

You might try the Pinesol method of cleaning out the black tank. Supposedly that's what CW does - add at least 1/2 cup to about 1/3 tank full of water and preferably drive around before dumping.

[phays]

Try keeping your gray tank valve closed until time to dump it. I know it is a bit of a pain but you may be getting a back flow of gases from the sewer to you gray tank and out your vent.

When I want to leave my gray tank open while parked for a lengthy period, I make a trap in the sewer hose by placing an object under the hose to raise it high enough to form a trap. Then a few days before I need to dump the black tank I close the gray valve.

I've had sewer flies from leaving the gray tank valve open and haven't had any since making a trap in the sewer hose. I remove the object when I dump to reduce any obstruction to flow.

[frazierdee]

Thanks for both suggestions. I will experiment some and let you know.

[lx22]

If you leave your gray tank open form a "P" trap with your hose that way you have a hose filled with water to block any gases or sewer flies from making its way to rig.
I just let the hose sag down as it leaves trailer, then support hose to exit. It is about two feet of hose with water in it and works fine.