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LIKENIT · 01-03-2008, 08:44 AM

We are parked near a person with a Bighorn 38 ft 5th wheel. He asked me to come in and look at problems he is having. Inside the trailer there is a dark film on everything. It is even in the refrigerator on packages.
He showed me a number of problems on the trailer fit and finish and was pretty upset and worried about what they might be breathing in.
He pulls it with a 06 Chevy Duramax.
The only thing I can think of is diesel smoke or fumes from the truck being sucked in the trailer when driving. I asked if they keep any vents open while driving and he said no.
Based on his description of the fit etc, perhaps the fumes can be sucked in through other areas.
Anyone have any ideas on this or theories other than the diesel fumes?

Thanks, LIKENIT

LIKENIT · 01-03-2008, 08:44 AM

We are parked near a person with a Bighorn 38 ft 5th wheel. He asked me to come in and look at problems he is having. Inside the trailer there is a dark film on everything. It is even in the refrigerator on packages.
He showed me a number of problems on the trailer fit and finish and was pretty upset and worried about what they might be breathing in.
He pulls it with a 06 Chevy Duramax.
The only thing I can think of is diesel smoke or fumes from the truck being sucked in the trailer when driving. I asked if they keep any vents open while driving and he said no.
Based on his description of the fit etc, perhaps the fumes can be sucked in through other areas.
Anyone have any ideas on this or theories other than the diesel fumes?

Thanks, LIKENIT

450Donn · 01-03-2008, 09:54 AM

Diesel fumes, mold, mildew. I would think if it was diesel fumes you could smell diesel inside. Personally I think it is time for a chemical analysis of the problem.

John Harrelson · 01-03-2008, 09:59 AM

I agree that it sounds like "Soot"...

It could be from the truck's exhaust and it could be either gas or diesel engine smoking under a heavy load..

Also.. ask if he keep the fridge on gas when traveling ... some folks like to travel with the refrigerator working on propane..

Does his rig have a roof top A/C unit ?

Could it be simply dirt and dust from the road that is kicked up by the truck and being sucked in through the rooftop A/C ?

This time of year there is a lot of "Black Sand" on the highways because of the snow plows sanding the icy spots...

Black sand is a combination of sand, mud and rubber dust from tires...

John

Ray,IN · 01-03-2008, 07:42 PM

I experienced that with our last 5er and my old Dodge CTD. We had traveled about 2K miles from home when without warning one day we stopped for the evening to a dark, nearly black interior. I had left a window slightly ajar,

and a loose paneling along the front storage bay allowed exhaust gas to be drawn in by the lower pressure in the 5er. It all washed off with Spic N Span, and it all came out of the carpeting and furniture by a commerical cleaner. They deodorized the carpet, sofa, and other padded furniture afterwards. Two days later we were "on the road again".

Thanks Willie!
Now an item on the breaking camp checklist is: close all windows and vents!

Budwizer · 01-04-2008, 02:00 PM

I always travel with all 3 top vents open and pull with an 06 Chev Duramax. I've never experienced any dirt/soot in the trailer.

LIKENIT · 01-04-2008, 03:18 PM

I had a chance to talk to him briefly today. He said he did not notice anything prior to when it has gotten cold and he has had the forced air heat on. That would seem to narrow it down to the furnace.
He said he talked with a friend that is an engineer and he thinks it is the burner in the heater that it is put in backwards and or venting the exhaust into the trailer. I don't know how that could be without there also being carbon monoxide. They purchased an oil filled electric heater today and will not be using the forced air anymore. He is contacting Landmark and trying to decide where to go to get it checked and fixed. He said when he woke up this morning he coughed a lot. He also said his wife does burn candles occasionally, which could add to the problem.
At least he is not using the heater, which would be the most dangerous scenario.
If it is the heating unit that would probably explain the fridge interior. If the heat was on, every time the fridge door was opened the film could settle there.

LIKENIT

LIKENIT · 01-06-2008, 11:26 AM

Someone on another forum thought they had heard about a Suburban furnace recall this past year. I Googled that and found these;

http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fu...d/19004615.cfm

http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fu...615/page/2.cfm

Sounds like this is the problem here.
He has a Suburban and called the furnace manufacturer and they seemed to jump on getting someone there. There is a guy coming tomorrow to service it.

LIKENIT

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