Trailer smell???

[twiceblessed....nacole 433]

I would appreciate ANY suggestions on how to get rid of the smell we have in our new (used) trailer.  My husband says it smells like "trailer"...personally I think it may be coming from the commode.  I have air fresheners in there and have tried opening up the windows; that helped, but only a little.

 

The previous owner said he put a small, small amount of water in the (toilet) tank, along with some sort of preservative.  He said he does this when it's not going to used for a while.

 

Could that be it?

[DaveInTN 3,247]

You do want to keep some liquid in the toilet to avoid having the rubber seals dry out.  That will let odors up more easily from the black tank. 

[mouseketab.....Carol 1,261]

Also having it closed up tight without power to it causes a smell. I used to hate to have to go into the trailer the first couple of times when I had it in storage without power. Now that it's home in the garage, I'm able to keep windows cracked and no more smell

[AuburnJen 777]

I am with Carol, the less you have to keep it closed up, the better off it is.  However, I keep a Glade candle in the RV (I think it is orange) in each room.  I don't lite them but they do give off a strong aroma.  They also keep the RV smell WAY down.  You might want to see if it works.  They always have coupons for them in the Sunday paper, which is how I stumbled upon them.

[GaDawgFan.....Kelly 799]

Yes, always keep a little water and chemicals in the black tank. 

 

I wonder if the black tank needs a good flushing. There's a hose attachment you can buy for that. 

 

Did it smell when you looked at it the first time? 

[DinDavie 37]

Smells can come from a number of sources.  In FLA we use Damp Rid to keep the humidity low and prevent mold.  Keep  a little water in the toilet and regularly run a little water in the sink and shower drains to keep the p traps from drying out and letting the smell from the blackand grey water tanks from getting into the interior of the unit.  There is a natural smell that these closed in small spaces have due to the materials used in contruction like glue and styro foam.  The only thing that will reduce that is air and time.  Good luck.

[ftwildernessguy 778]

Last time my wife complained about the smell in our trailer, she told me to leave and the smell disappeared!

[twiceblessed....nacole 433]

I am with Carol, the less you have to keep it closed up, the better off it is.  However, I keep a Glade candle in the RV (I think it is orange) in each room.  I don't lite them but they do give off a strong aroma.  They also keep the RV smell WAY down.  You might want to see if it works.  They always have coupons for them in the Sunday paper, which is how I stumbled upon them.

 

Thank you both.  Jen, I'll try that idea :)

 

Smells can come from a number of sources.  In FLA we use Damp Rid to keep the humidity low and prevent mold.  Keep  a little water in the toilet and regularly run a little water in the sink and shower drains to keep the p traps from drying out and letting the smell from the blackand grey water tanks from getting into the interior of the unit.  There is a natural smell that these closed in small spaces have due to the materials used in contruction like glue and styro foam.  The only thing that will reduce that is air and time.  Good luck.

 

Thank you.

 

 

Yes, always keep a little water and chemicals in the black tank. 

 

I wonder if the black tank needs a good flushing. There's a hose attachment you can buy for that. 

 

Did it smell when you looked at it the first time? 

 

Hmmm... maybe a little, but much more faint.  It may be because they had just gone camping a couple of weeks before we purchased it; then we let the camper sit (closed up) for about 6 weeks before bringing it home... 

[twiceblessed....nacole 433]

Last time my wife complained about the smell in our trailer, she told me to leave and the smell disappeared!

 

:rofl3:  I'll make sure to never let you and my DH in the same room at once... 

[AuburnJen 777]

Last time my wife complained about the smell in our trailer, she told me to leave and the smell disappeared!

at least she didn't have to hear yappin' dogs :rofl2: :rofl2: :rofl2:

[pixiesteno 2]

We put bounce sheets under the cushions in our TT and under the mattress when it is closed and not in use and that helps with smells; I understand that it also will deter insects.

[Santa ... Shannon 160]

I find that using a dehumidifier while out of use makes a big difference. You do have to check in periodically and keep water in your traps, though.

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[red...Susan 37]

When I bought our used Motorhome I found I needed to wash any cloth that I could.  Curtains and seat covers and let them air dry.  Now I spray the seat cushions and the mattress with a light mist of fabreze and let it dry before shutting it up for storage.

[Santa ... Shannon 160]

I've also heard of folks Saran wrapping their toilet bowl. Just don't do too neat a job of it. You don't want to forget its there and then be reminded in a most inconvenient way!

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[ImDownWithDisney 342]

If it persists check the foam gasket under the toilet. Also check the plumbing roof vent for obstructions.

[twiceblessed....nacole 433]

Thanks fiends.  After a thorough cleaning of the trailer and flushing the commode tank A LOT (I think there was old "stuff" left in there  ) the smells are much better.  We used the trailer last weekend and are planning to use it again in a couple of weeks...so I haven't thrown the tarp back over it.  I guess the real test will come, when we do that and it sits (closed up) for a month or two.  

 

 

We put bounce sheets under the cushions in our TT and under the mattress when it is closed and not in use and that helps with smells; I understand that it also will deter insects.

 

I had read that too (about the insects) so we have several in there :)

[CCIntrigue...aka Gwen 547]

Great idea about insects!  I will put some sheets in our moho.

[CCIntrigue...aka Gwen 547]

We're past 10 posts, so I'll share a story.

 

Many years ago my BIL and then SIL purchased a new house.  The dining area had a funny smell.  It got worse as the days went on.  It became unbearable, so they called the builder.  It turned out that during construction a skunk had crawled into the wall and died.  The builder had to remove the wall and the skunk.

[mouseketab.....Carol 1,261]

We had something similar with a mouse and a couch that had been in storage. Couldn't figure out the smell and the cats kept playing with that corner of the couch.