Some scents are tantalizing, such as newly brewed coffee wafting up from your cup or the robust announcement of a Dutch oven dessert that’s just come off the coals. Some scents are relaxing, such as a chilly fall morning when the dew glistens and everything seems to be covered by a thin layer of fresh dirt.
Some scents, however, make our lips pucker in reaction or are even downright unbreathable so we need to move away and get some air.
In a compact space like an RV, a miniscule smell can get out of hand very quickly. You also need to know the difference between smells so that you can take the appropriate action, especially if the smell is an indication of a larger problem with your RV.
Rotten egg/sulfur
Don’t look in the fridge; the culprit could be your water heater or your RV batteries. The water heater is the most likely reason, as the anode rod react with bacteria in the water. The solution? Clean out the water heater using hydrogen peroxide (or white vinegar in a pinch) and replace the rod, preferably out of aluminum-zinc, to prevent future smell outbreaks.
Keep in mind that propane could also be the reason. Propane itself doesn’t smell like anything, but propane providers add a stinky smell so that you can pick up on a leak. Your propane could also be running low, so check the fill level of the cylinders. This is a problem that needs to be addressed right away, as propane is highly volatile.
As for your RV batteries, again this is a situation where you need to react quickly – and call in an experienced tech to handle the job. They could be causing a rotten egg smell because the house batteries have become overcharged, causing the electrolytes to boil. The byproduct of this reaction is hydrogen sulfide, which is poisonous and flammable. Check the electrolyte level on your batteries and top them off with distilled water.
Sewage
This is a very distinct smell that can’t be mixed up with anything else. It can be normal to catch a whiff every once in a while, such as when flushing, but if it’s a smell that won’t go away, you need to investigate.
In RV units with bathrooms, the smell of sewage could be coming from your black tank, you grey tank, or a drain. Test your black tank by seeing if your toilet holds water. If it doesn’t, then a seal or rubber gasket that seals the space between the toilet and the black tank may have failed. You can replace this gasket yourself. For the gray tank and drains, it could be simply a matter of being too full or their being overly dirty. Empty the tank and clean all the drains.
Musty
RVs are pretty tightly sealed and notorious for holding onto moisture, whether it’s from the humidity or from cooking inside or for being stored from a long period of time. This can result in a musty smell, which can also signal something else: mold. Mold thrives in moist environments where there is inadequate ventilation. It can also be a sign of water damage.
Check your RV for any visible signs of mold, especially along the tops of walls, in cabinets, in closets, under mattresses, around window seals, under the sink, and around the refrigerator. Feel the ceiling and floor for soft spots, as there could be hidden areas of water damage.
That musty smell could be coming from spoiled vegetables, especially potatoes and onions. It could be as easy as tossing out the bag. Check nooks and crannies for any foodstuffs that could have accidentally fallen and hidden themselves away.
Burning plastic
A very disconcerting smell, burning plastic requires an immediate response as it likely has something to do with the RV’s electrical system. Any loose connection will tend to heat up and cause damage to the wiring. Check the power panel, that all screws are tight. Check the furnace as well as the converter to look for burned or melted coils or wiring. Check GCFI outlets and test them to make sure they are working correctly.
Before you do too much exploring, and especially before doing anything to fix the problem once it’s found, make sure all power is off and all power supplies are disconnected.
Keep your RV smelling fresh with these tips…
- Let in some air
- Use a dehumidifier
- Keep tanks and drains clean
- Take out the garbage every day
- Clean up spills right away
- Do a thorough clean of all cabinets, appliances, and surfaces before and after storage
- Use potpourri or air fresheners, but take it easy – even good smells can become “bad” smells in tight spaces