Chinook RV

I have read several posts about bad sewer odors in the Chinooks. The following is the method i use. The first thing you need to do is empty your tanks, then flush them out multiple times and then begin this routine. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wUWGlm2gQfE

This works almost immediately to eliminate bad sewage odors. I empty my tanks and then i immediately dump in the ingredients and leave them until its time to empty the tanks again. You still need to do occasional flushes to keep that poop pyramid down but your bad smells will be a thing of the past.

The video is kind of long winded and boring as one would expect when it comes to discussing sewage, fecal matter, bacteria, bad smells, ect...

The recipe consists of Boraxo, Dawn dish soap, and Zep citrus degreaser. Forget about the overpriced chemicals and give this a try, it works.

You can get 20 mule team Boraxo at Walmart, you can get Dawn dishsoap nearly anyplace, and you can get the Zep Citrus degreaser at homedepot.


Another thing to remember, if youre staying in an RV park or camp ground...dont hook up your sewer drain tube and leave your valves open. This is a surefire way to get nasty odors, you need to keep the liquids inside the tank to prevent that poop pyramid from forming. Also, do not empty your tanks at every oppurtunity, again the tanks need liquid inside for the chemicals to do their job and also to prevent that poop pyramid from forming.

Seems like alot of people think that if they keep those tanks empty they wont have funny odors and that is 100% incorrect. If you drain your tanks at every oppurtunity, at least put a couple of gallons of water back in them immediately after draining.

As some of you know, we are building a house this year. When I asked our drainfield installer to plumb me in an Rv dump to my septic system he said they were illegal. When I asked him why, he said the chemicals used in rv tanks destroy the microbial bacteria necessary for proper function of the system, and the system will then fail.

So, thanks for this information, and those of you using chemicals in your holding tanks, I'd recommend dumping your tanks before you get home.

He should still do it, but tell you not to dump anything from a RV that have the chemical in it. I am not convinced that it is "illegal" for him to install the dump valve for you according the the plumbing or local code.

FWIW, I've found it makes a world of difference just making sure I send down plenty of water after I'm finished. I used to be super careful about NOT using much water, especially after urinating, and I was constantly fighting stink. Don't remember who told me to use more, but it worked (for me at least). Bonus: my tank level sensors mostly work again after a couple years.