tbone136
US
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Joined: 04/09/2021
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We have a 2017 Open Range travel trailer that we bought new. Over the years, we have noticed a smell that we are not able to track down. The smell is present even with the tanks empty. It is very strong when hot and the trailer is closed up, but even if I leave it open for a few days I can still smell it when stepping into the trailer.
The smell is a chemical smell. It really messes with my allergies and anything fabric that we bring into the trailer has this odor to it once we bring it out of the trailer.
I thought maybe it was off-gassing so we tried several attempts at the ammonia in pans with the trailer closed, but the smell still remains.
I've tried smelling inside/outside the cabinets and once I am in the trailer I cannot pinpoint anything. The front 1/2 of the trailer (mid bath) definitely has the smell stronger. At this point I'm going to take out anything not screwed/glued down out of the trailer to further eliminate possible culprits.
I do not believe this is a black tank smell, but it very well could be a chemical smell from having treatment packages in the tank. I recently thoroughly cleaned out the black tank to where you cannot see anything from the toilet side. Just running out of options. Any ideas?
We had Airstreams for years and never had this issue or a smell like this.
Thank you!
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Gdetrailer
PA
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Joined: 01/05/2007
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Is the odor smell more like "dirt" or "earthy" like?
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2oldman
NM
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Joined: 04/15/2001
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Possible dead animal like a mouse.. but lasting for years, maybe not. Or maybe just more mice!
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ScottG
Bothell Wa.
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Joined: 02/25/2005
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Bad air admittance valve or P-traps dry. Surprising what this smells like.
If you have the black AAV's (which aren't even allowed in homes by code), it's worth it to change them out to a Sioux Chief, Studer or Oaty.
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BB_TX
McKinney, Texas
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Joined: 04/04/2005
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Don’t know about yours, but on some trailers they are using hepVo valves now instead of P traps. If the rubber seal doesn’t close properly it can allow fumes/odors to come back up the drain.
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wildtoad
Blythewood, SC
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Joined: 06/05/2011
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From what the op said, it’s probably not black or gray tank smells. For the first couple of years in our Newmar we had an “odd” smell which I had smelled before, at the Newmar factory. They use a lot of glue/sealant on these things.
Tom Wilds
Blythewood, SC
2016 Newmar Baystar Sport 3004
2015 Jeep Wrangler 2dr HT
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ScottG
Bothell Wa.
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Joined: 02/25/2005
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wildtoad wrote:From what the op said, it’s probably not black or gray tank smells. For the first couple of years in our Newmar we had an “odd” smell which I had smelled before, at the Newmar factory. They use a lot of glue/sealant on these things.
A grey tank can have a strange chemical odor - mine does under certain conditions.
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opnspaces
San Diego Ca
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Joined: 12/22/2004
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From your description it really sounds like off gassing. Mine was built in the days of Heavy formaldehyde smell from all the glues. For years when going in after a sitting in storage I would have to hold my breath and go open a bunch of windows and let it sit overnight. It was so bad I would get a sore throat from smelling it if I didn't air it out. Once aired out the small was there but very faint.
On yours I would put covers on all roof vents so they can stay open 24/7 That should help air it out and reduce the smell while in storage.
2001 Suburban 4x4. 6.0L, 4.10 3/4 ton
2005 Jayco Jay Flight 27BH
1986 Coleman Columbia Popup.
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dhull
Some Lake Somewhere
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Our 2017 camper gassed off so bad it set the propane detector off in hot weather while sitting in driveway. Took over 2 years to dissipate to the point it quit going off in those conditions.
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Mike Taverniti
Williamsburg, VA
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Air Admittance Valve has failed. Check under 1 of your sinks, should be hand tight. Available at any hardware store. Buy 2, they are cheap. Can also be called a Mechanical Plumbing Vent
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