On a recent trip, and while moving from one location to another, I decided to empty the black and gray tanks and refill the fresh water tank at a dump station before moving on. After arriving at our new location, and by the next morning, I noticed a "sewer" smell in the restroom. It was then that I realized that I had failed to add a couple of gallons of water to the black tank when emptying and refilling. Whew!!! I guess the lesson here is to always keep a couple gallons in the black tank. I knew that, but got in a hurry. Cap'n Bob
1996 Chevy K1500 4X4 Short Box, 5.7L Vortec, E rated tires, Lance Model 820 with Cabover Struts, Firestone Ride-Rite Air Bags, KYB MonoMax Shocks, Torklift Stable Loads, Happijac Truck Camper Tiedowns and Turnbuckles, Honda Eu2000i Inverter/Generator.
Adding a couple of gallons back in after dumping will sure help keep 'stuff' from drying out on bottom of tank.....but
How did smells get into your rig....
Smells shouldn't come back into rig.......toilet bowl holds water (barrier), 'p' traps (barrier), toilet floor flange (mechanical barrier), tank vents up & out,
Air admittance Valves (mechanical barrier)??????
2007 RAM 3500 QC LB SRW 5.9L CTD 48re 4:10 4K in bed 'quiet genny'
2007 HitchHiker II 32.5 UKTG 2000W Xantex Inverter
Hit the Road Free & Clear April '07
Home Skillet wrote: NEVER EVER fill your fresh water tank at a dump station.
There are some nasty people out there that don't care about sanity.
X100!
However at a state park recently, I did see a potable water source about 100' from the dump station. It was on the way out of the station driveway loop and far enough away they it would be difficult to contaminate it...I would still seek my water somewhere else!
Todd
Todd
1993 Ford E-350 pushed by a 1988 Wilderness 24' TT
Sanitizer is more important than the water. I add about 1/2 to 1 gallon of water along with about 7 oz blue sanitizer and 1 oz in the grey tap. I second the don't get water from unknown "clean" sources. BTW, I've tried the supposed biosafe types green etc, but I'd rather deal with the slight chemical smell!
'06 F350 Lariat Supercab SRW, 6.0 PSD 4x4 Long Bed, Intake Elbow, Walker Big Truck Muffler. '06 Host Rainer 950 Double Slide, Fastguns. Firestone Air Bags, Rancho 9000s, Vision 19.5s with Hankook DH-01 245s, Energy Suspension bump stops.
Old-Biscuit wrote: Adding a couple of gallons back in after dumping will sure help keep 'stuff' from drying out on bottom of tank.....but
How did smells get into your rig....
Smells shouldn't come back into rig.......toilet bowl holds water (barrier), 'p' traps (barrier), toilet floor flange (mechanical barrier), tank vents up & out,
Air admittance Valves (mechanical barrier)??????
Hi “Old-Biscuit”!
I believe the “smells” came into the restroom area simply by using the toilet (flush valve opening and closing). The smell was only noticeable in the restroom. The toilet bowl, as you indicate, has water in it, but when flushing (no P-trap on toilet), the flush valve is open directly to the black tank, hence the odor.
We never drink from the “fresh” water tank in our TC. We haul drinking water to make coffee and to cook with. I also add about a ½ cup of bleach into my “fresh” water tank to keep the lines sanitized. In addition, I always, after returning from a trip, go and flush my tanks out. Then I mix up ½ cup of laundry detergent, ½ cup of water softener granules (White Kind D or Calgon I think), and ½ cup of bleach in hot water. Mixing all in a bucket to make about 2 gallons and pour it into the black tank through the toilet. That routine has always worked for me. I did just that when we returned and there is no smell coming from that area, even in our 94 degree heat.
I agree with the rest of the responders about taking on “fresh water” from a dump station. I always carry a spray bottle of alcohol and spray the handle, nozzle, and whatever prior to connecting my hose to it. Still, I see the reasoning in the replies, but how else do you take on “fresh” water?
In this particular case, I did not have bleach, or the other ingredients on-board at the time to refresh the black tank (my bad), and through not paying attention to details, like not adding water to the black tank after flushing, I think was the cause of the smell.
I don't use dump station water either. I was in line once at Farewell Bend state park one year and had to wait for some guy,(Who I don't think was very smart) waited for him to fill his MH's fresh water tank with non potable water. Not sure he knew what the difference was in the different types of water. And I make it a habit not to tell other people not to do something, they tend to get a little testy if you do. they think they know it all, so it's not in my place to correct them.
I get that smell in the bathroom even if the bowl is half full. I finely decided it comes in thru the bathroom vent which is close to the soil pipe vent. To find out for sure I vented the TC very well with the bath vent closed and closed up the whole thing overnight. Next day no smell. Then I vented again, closed up over night but this time with the bath vent open. Got the smell. Did it all two more times and got the same result. Not saying that is your problem but something to think about.
old guy wrote: I don't use dump station water either. I was in line once at Farewell Bend state park one year and had to wait for some guy,(Who I don't think was very smart) waited for him to fill his MH's fresh water tank with non potable water. Not sure he knew what the difference was in the different types of water. And I make it a habit not to tell other people not to do something, they tend to get a little testy if you do. they think they know it all, so it's not in my place to correct them.
Hey! "Old Guy",
I know what you mean. And I agree with you, by letting them learn on their own. After all, that's how we learn or not. However, most have found that following the directions, like what's found in the owners manual, less costly and/or painful, and results in a more positive experience. But I will add that if approached by another with a question or problem, I will "usually" help if I can.
Cap'n Bob
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