RV SMELLS BAD? HOW TO FIX RV BAD SMELL / BLACK TANK

Dealing with your RV holding tank odors is not fun. We had this problem and it was driving us crazy. We finally found the problem and got rid of the bad smells forever! Turns out the problem was our Dometic 300 toilet.
For more information visit our Blog: www.rveastcoas...
Here is the link Happy Campers (the product we mentioned in this video): amzn.to/31z6avY
Disclaimer:
We do not get paid to make our video reviews. These videos are not advertisements, just the negative and positive highlights of our travels.

[@denisebishop7023]

You have NO idea how much this video saved my sanity! I was ready to quit camping for the year, the smell is so bad, I just got off the roof checking the vent and found this video on google, thank you! I will be calling Dometic!

[@RVEastCoast]

so glad to hear that the video helped you. It almost took away the joy of camping for me. You should know that I made a part two for this video check it out here. kzbin.info/www/bejne/oJ3Ik5pjp5uom9E

[@livableincome]

Thank you. Very much. We just bought an RV that has been in storage. I have cleaned, aired out, cleaned, cleaned, cleaned, aired out, and our camper smells like an outhouse. I cannot stand being in there and we can't go anywhere until this is fixed. You have been very helpful.

[@wd3681]

Thank you very much for posting this brother. I was having the same issues for 3 months.

[@johnmaida160]

We have the exact same problem! I've tried EVERY tank treatment to no avail! Turns out it was our Dometic 300 toilet! Dometic would do nothing for us. So we upgraded to the 310. The 310 is a world of difference! and guess what? The smell is gone! Thanks for another great video!

[@Shitlikeyou]

My Airstream equipped Dometic 310 model, and still have the same issue. i guess that's not the reason.

[@angelatate7205]

Thank you !! Thank you !! Thank you !! What a relief to finally find the problem to our smelly camper toliet..no matter how much I cleaned or how many black tank flushes we did, nothing worked..That horrible smell came from the back of the toliet.. I've been researching this forever and today I found your video..I cant thank you enough for posting this..I called dometic and their sending a new one..Wonderful video !!!

[@RandallBradley-v5y]

Thank you so much for this video. We've tried cleaning and cleaning the tank? Still bad smell! I believe you just solved our problem!

[@idsullymichaels]

Yep. Had the dometic 300 recall. Easy fix. Dometic was great about it. Other sources of smell (in case this wasn't the answer for some) 1. Bad air admittance valve under sinks - staying open letting in grey tank smells. (Have to do this fix, but just covered it with a bag until I'm home with the part) 2. For those that use damp rid (or other humidity treatments) , beware P traps drying out and allowing air flow from your grey tank. As for our "method." Bio Geo! Big help is ice in the tank plus 5-10 gallons water, right before a trip.

[@CampandCamera]

Glad you got to the bottom of the problem. That would drive anyone nuts!

[@rfigueroa76]

Thanks for the video. Called Dometic and have a warranty replacement coming my way. Your information helped me continue the search and found a temporary solution. Much appreciated.

[@chrismohart5354]

Thank you for this solution!! I keep telling my husband it must be the toilet holding the urine inside. I’ve done exactly everything you have discussed with different solvents and cleaning out black tank. I’m purchasing a new toilet today!!!

[@cameronnguyen8722]

OMG you are true warrior to fight the sewer smell. Thank you for making this video.

[@cathiekittleson4848]

Thank you for pointing us in the right direction to get rid of that awful smell. We watched Fireside Weekenders video on how to repair your Dometic toilet. No more smell but we won’t know until next spring if the repair works. If it doesn’t we will order a new toilet. Love your videos.

[@yvonnevincent7536]

Thank you so much for this video, we too have been going crazy over the sewer smell in bathroom. Heading to talk to the dealer Monday.

[@RaynellRecord-sg5ik]

You are AMAZING!!!! Thank You Sooooooooooooo Much!! This video RESCUED us!!! We literally tried EVERYTHING!!!! All along it was a bad toilet and I contacted the manufacturer and I received a new toilet within 3 days ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️. Thank you so very much.

[@ukonman1]

This video is a God send for me. I have the same issue, and polished the inside of that tank. After watching this video I found out my trailer has the same toilet. I was about ready to burn it down! Thank you for making this.

[@RVEastCoast]

Yaaay, So glad to hear, good luck with the repairs!!!

[@yglover1ify]

Thank you for this video. Just purchased a brand new 2018 Puma and could not get rid of smell. After trying product after product and searching the internet for answers I finally found your video. I had the domestic 300. I called them and they are sending a replacement. Thanks so much

[@RVEastCoast]

Great to hear! I hope you stick around for more videos of me and my thick dominican accent. lol

[@AllElectricFamily]

We LOVE Happy Camper! I can't believe how well it works and how it's use it and forget it. We won't go back to anything else!

[@kathyrandolph1375]

What an absolute God-send you are with the information on the Dometic 300”series toilet!! Ours actually had black waste in the crevices of the toilet. My husband removed the toilet twice and dumped out waste from the toilet itself. The smell, as you mentioned and as did others, was horrendously grotesque 🤢 I don’t know if the company will give us a new toilet, but I am certainly going to call our dealer and see what they will do. We cannot go camping again and deal with that smell. Thank you so much!!

[@RVEastCoast]

Yaaay, so glad to hear this video was helpful!

[@gailforce9464]

We have the same problem and contacted Dometic and they said they'd replace it. But here's 2 tips: they only do free replacement if you're the 1st or 2nd owner. So don't say you're the 3rd owner or they won't replace it. Also, they will upgrade you to a 310 but that won't fit for us so we need the 300. Initially we were told that they had no 300's in stock, but I called my dealer who checked their ordering system and it showed 44 model 300s in Dometics warehouse! So I called back and sure enough they had them in stock! So we haven't received it yet but apparently it's on the way. I just hope the problem is actually fixed on the replacement one!🤞 Good luck!

[@lucyhenderly4945]

Thank you so much! So glad I found this video! We just called Dometic and they are sending us a brand new potty! We’ve obsessed over what the smell was, it was more an ammonia smell, and coming from back of toilet! We cleaned and cleaned and flushed black tank and no change! We also put our face in potty hole, no smells! 😂 So thanks so much! Hopefully this problem will be solved!

[@hey_youtubeim_back2159]

Who put their face in the potty hole?

[@MrLoudog7]

😂

[@ForgottenWinter]

Oh my gosh.. How frustrating! Glad you finally located the problem.

[@johnmaida160]

Great video! We use Happy Camper treatment and it is the best! I also use the Geo method, but found that just Dawn dish detergent works. Our Domeric 300 had the same problem! Dometic would not replace it. It is out of here! Ordered the 310, it is a little heavier, but a lot nicer, and it is porcelan.

[@AmberBlessing-hk5uw]

This has been such a help. Thank you so much that is exactly where the smell is coming from in my camper!

[@315jt1]

Thank you for this video. I have the same toilet and the same problem. I could not figure out where that smell was coming from.

[@nicolehunter7511]

Omg thank you so much. I just told the bf that's the problem. The flusher broke on ours but I knew there was more to the smell than that.

[@racyree3620]

OMGOSH so glad I found your channel!! We purchased a new Springdale two weeks ago, went out once. Live in a hot climate Florida and we store in lot no cover. Couldn't figure out where urine smell coming from. Just got off phone at dealership and demanded a new toilet. Thank u so much!

[@RVEastCoast]

Yaaay, I am go glad to hear that this helped you!

[@clivegray-i6n]

I have the same problem recently, I can't thank you enough for sharing, will now make contact..

[@tonythiel1050]

Thank you so much for the pointers!! Defective toilet was also my problem. I still had a month of warranty left, upgraded to the 310 porcelain for $75

[@kariestarrett9382]

How did you find out it was a defective toilet? Is there a way to check?

[@jamesb.492]

The problem and solution starts at 3:35

[@user-kf5nn7ps1l]

Thank you lol

[@brandonhunt6870]

My guy👍

[@yuma5745]

Thanks a lot. We have been having bad smells in our new travel trailer and find out we have the Dometic 300 toilet. Problem solved. Thanks again.

[@CumminsCamping]

Great job. I went through this exact problem in our new Springdale. I have a video on it. Dometic will upgrade the toilet for a small fee, if you deal with them directly. They do not offer the upgrade through the dealers.

[@RVEastCoast]

+Cummins Camping yeah, I remember watching your video, I actually shared it with rhe dealer (it was of great help)

[@CumminsCamping]

RV East Coast I remembered you commenting on my video after I had already left this comment, sorry my memory stinks lol. Still, so glad you got the problem solved, take care.

[@kathyrandolph1375]

We have a Springdale! Same problem. Thanks, we will call the company.

[@reubenramos4080]

Just wanted to say thanks for posting about this issue. I found the issue and was happy to see the issue has a video.

[@campkayakadventures]

We use Camco TST drop ins also an never an issue. I also use my Rhino Blaster a few times during the season

[@glendahoonrussell]

Eliu, I was sucked in with the first scene. So funny! We have been using Camco TST Max for over 3 years and haven't had any issues yet. I am also adamant about using lots and lots of water.

[@RVEastCoast]

+The Status Foe Glendaaaa! Thank you for the info my friend! I am going to check those out. We are definitely guilty of wasting too much water as we a spoiled always camping with full hookups .

[@glendahoonrussell]

@@RVEastCoast Me too! You can find that particular chemical at good ole Wally World. When we have guests, I just add a little extra. ;)

[@GratefulGlamper]

Great video and thanks for the recommendation for happy camper. We will have to give it a try.

[@krispy1k]

Will be checking ours. We have had an odor issue dince day 1 with our Cherokee. Like you we have tried about everything to rid the smell. Thank you for the video.

[@RVEastCoast]

Hope this is the answer.... We actually posted an update about this issue. Here is the episode kzbin.info/www/bejne/oJ3Ik5pjp5uom9E Thanks for watching!

[@1951Roy]

Thanks for sharing. That is a start, replacing the toilet. Mine is a 2006 model.

[@alexjimenez5113]

This is awesome!! Finally with the help of this video I figured out the smell to my rv! Thank you so much

[@RVEastCoast]

Thank you so much for your comment Alex!!! We are glad the video has helped a few people.

[@judybradbury4558]

Hey just wanted to tell you THANK YOU so much for this video! We had the same problem and put so much time and chemical, wash outs blah blah blah.....after seeing this video we removed our dometic toilet and yes it was full of urine. The trailer is only a year old and We were stumped on why we were having this problem. anyway Thank You!

[@RVEastCoast]

So glad this helped. We were relentless in figuring it out and so glad we finally did.

[@justinthompson8896]

Thank you. I as contemplating other solutions like selling the whole camper

[@dreamieangie6851]

Eww bad smells great that you fixed it thank you so much thank you so much 😊

[@timnocera1819]

Good to know if we have any stinky smells from our trailer!!

[@nikkistandeford2242]

Omg this was the reason our bathroom was smelling like a port-o-potty! So gross!!! I cleaned the bathroom every day and didn’t understand why it still smelled! Go figure it’s the weekend and our dealership service department is closed! We will be calling Monday.

[@oa6271]

Found out we had defective gaskets in our Dometic 300 toilet, after going through alllll the other steps. Check that first!

[@Ieudit18]

Hola ELI tal vez algún día me da un paseo en ese RV en memoria de los rides que le daba desde Freeport hasta inwood después de los ensayos lol, linda familia; están preciosos los niños...que vida! Y que envidia me da al verlos..felicidades

[@RVEastCoast]

+sandruca1000 hola mi querida amiga Sandra. Gracias... El plan suena perfecto lol todavía estas En FBC?

[@Ieudit18]

RV East Coast no, ya me fui.

[@JurgensJourneys]

No problem in my Winnebago, but interesting and well presented video. Thanks!

[@ChangingLanes]

Great info, man! Camp on! 👍🏽

[@a13thhour]

So, you are going to see me at the campground this weekend... are you buying me another truck since I flipped mine over? Did my yard become a campground and when did this happen and what is the going rate I should be charging you at my new campground? I had no idea you were coming to florida, how do you have your camper in storage and going to see is at the campground this weekend? Will you be bringing snacks for everyone? How many exactly is everyone? 🤔✍🏻✍🏻✍🏻

[@kevinhightower6140]

That was my video from Facebook, glad it helped you.

[@CampMoreBarkLess]

Glad you posted that video and they made this video. Really glad that we do not have this problem.

[@lucreciaalonso530]

Thanks. This video I resolve my issue on my RV toilet thanks.

[@maricelafortuna9834]

OMGosh we are dealing with this horrific smell right now! We empty out our black tank and it’s okay for one or two days, then the smell comes back. We have a Dometic 310 and it’s only about a month old. Do you know if the 310 has had the same issues as the 300?

[@jeffreywollard922]

The problem is a hairline crack that develops in the base. It is partially hollow, and the crack allows waste to get in and fester. My toilet was replaced and the problem was eliminated…BUT….two years later, it seems to be returning.

[@chrisjenkins8572]

We switched a happy camper a year ago and it works awesome.

[@clivegray-i6n]

I have the same toilet I just bought this trailer from a dealership , I contacted dometic they said it's to old for us to claim , I'm not happy, is they any prove that there is factory fault ..?

[@hamey]

Hm, dometic 300 , we'll have to check ours. Thanks

[@WaywardWaggs]

Good info. We will have to try Happy Campers.

[@RVEastCoast]

+Wayward Waggs yeah, it’s a good product. Thanks for commenting!

[@gailforce9464]

Hi Eli, we are having the same problem and Dometic is sending us a replacement 300 toilet. Just curious, did you have any further issues with the replacement Dometic sent? I sure hope they have fixed the issue!

[@nancyhoward7005]

Happy campers.. thanks so much 🙏

[@southtexasbassfishing7623]

Wow everything you said and did I’ve been doing it for weeks now !

[@RVEastCoast]

I hope this video helps you with the problem! Eli

[@douglaslaymon4674]

What year is your RV. OURS IS A 2018 and have had this problem since we bought it new.

[@TheNeuAdventure]

Omg! Thank you, you have solved our mystery smell! We are going to look into this right now! We’ve tried everything! So did you contact demetic directly, or did your RV dealer?

[@RVEastCoast]

Hey, Our RV dealer contacted Dometic. However, I've heard from a couple people that contacted Dometic directly and they allowed to pay a small difference to upgrade to a different model!

[@TheNeuAdventure]

Just wanted to say thanks again, we did change our toilet, that was the problem!! Dometic is covering it!! We would not have known the problem if it had not been for y’all!! :)

[@coolcutsgal2]

I did the Geo method when I left Quartzsite headed to Prescott National Forest. NOW, about twice a week I dump my dish water into the toilet

[@YoungerEveryDay]

Another great video, Eli! We use Camco TST Drop-ins, and they have worked well for us.

[@kimberbeasley3693]

This helped tremendously! I have that same toilet, and didn't know that was a sewage vent up top. The vent had beem leaking water into the camper every time it rains, so we duct taped it and shortly after the smell started 🤦🏻. Thank you!

[@Virtuoso87]

I just purchased an old motorhome, I kept smelling the black tank even though i hadn't used it so i put treatment inside let side and had it pumped out. I still smelled the tank bad. I tried to wrap the entire toilet with garbage bags to see if that helped it didn't so i put a smoke machine in the toilet bowl to see if the roof vent was clogged and ended up seeing an extreme amount of smoke pouring out of the back of the toilet! Behind the toilet there is multiple holes on the bottom of it, it looks like its made like that not broken but a large amount of smoke was coming out of those holes. The guy i bought the rv from said he had that toilet put in years ago and shouldn't have issues but its definitely messed up. Its a Thetford toilet i cant find any model number but its got to be 15 years old or older. If anyone happens to know what my issue is i would greatly appreciate the help with this.

[@wd3681]

God bless you bro!!!

[@thomasforrester370]

I use camco rhino black tank treatment with no problem.i use the liquid formula

[@3ForTheRoadRV]

Hello new sub here. We really like the Geo method for our black tank as well. We like to support smaller channels and we work on growing ours. Looking forward to getting to know you.

[@RVOddCouple]

Great Video!

[@RVEastCoast]

+RV Odd Couple thank you mis amigos!

[@ernestcostello425]

WE use happy camper to good stuff' If you put a 10 lb. bag of ice down the toilet be for you leave house it help's clean the black tank . Then drain it when full like normal .

[@gisele6943]

THX for sharing

[@bryangarnett8386]

Great tips! Thank you

[@deanwebster]

Great and informative video, Eli! Thanks for sharing.

[@RVEastCoast]

+Dean Webster thank you for the constant support jefe! You are such a great community leader!

[@blackntantoad268]

What year?? Or is it all 300’s??

[@barmstrong77]

I called Dometic regarding my series 300 toilet in my Grey Wolf 26DBH. Dometic verified the serial number of the toilet and allowed me to upgrade to the 310 porcelain bowl and wood slow close seat for $75.00 w/ 2yr warranty. Dometic was very easy to deal with regarding the series 300 toilet issue.

[@Mania8279]

Hello, just wandering if you had to show proof of a warranty/etc or did you just need to provide the serial number/etc for your Dometic toilet to get the issue resolved?

[@stevenpersinger6577]

My rv only smells bad after i flush or drain the black tank. Is this the same issue

[@chrisjenkins8572]

How do you know if the 300 series?

[@ARevampedlife]

Great info!

[@CampMoreBarkLess]

I'm still trying to figure out how stuff gets from the bowl to the inside guts of the toilet. Great psa.

[@RVEastCoast]

+Camp More Bark Less trust me man... me too! I can not comprehend how that was happening

[@brianknott6565]

Good info .. thx

[@lanceharriss9001]

Honestly, an Rv black water tank is never going to not smell bad. You are sleeping under a tank filled with waste...I rarely ever use my toilet because I just can not take the smells coming up from the toilet and sink. Lots of water and limited toilet paper

[@adbradle09]

How do you know what series toilet you have?

[@RVEastCoast]

Hi Ashlie, the toilet has a label somewhere in the back.

[@derekw40]

Yep I have a domestic 300.

[@campfirerob1089]

thanks for the video

[@scottbertus]

Rum works great cheap bottle down the tank

[@RVEastCoast]

Really? never tried that!

[@traumahealedperiod-danabar2928]

I have that toilet what do I do????

[@xochitlmorales6217]

After a year of searching for an answer I finally found your video, we have a Grey wolf as well and the same toilet but unfortunately it has been too long according to Domatic. We only had 12 months of warranty and now we are screw since we had our trailer for two years now and have to pay out of pocket . :(

[@leonardmary07]

How do I find out or locate my domestic series toilet?

[@RVEastCoast]

There is a label in the back of the toilet.

[@leonardmary07]

@@RVEastCoast for some reason I’ll get a rotten egg/ sewage smell that will just fill up the Travel trailer and will last for at least a day then go away. My tanks have been drained and triple flushed and treated with chemicals to keep both grey & black clean/fresh. The campground manager said to call an rv specialist as odors should get trapped inside the RV… I’ve checked everything! Ptrap sink and tub drains etc. it’s coming up from the sewage at the campsite… I just don’t wNt to smell it anymore. Super disturbing. Thank you for this post. Hopefully this is another thing I can check to be certain all things on my end are covered and not causing the problem. …

[@RVEastCoast]

@@leonardmary07 This is the disturbing video of me changing that toilet. If you check this video at 3:30 you will understand much better what I am talking about. kzbin.info/www/bejne/oJ3Ik5pjp5uom9E

[@katrinaanon1038]

Skip ahead at least 2 minutes to get past the junk at the start of the video. That is where the real information is in the video.

[@sandrastevens4418]

I use lemon drop ins in toilet.

[@hargoniyamaki5168]

We use Septo Bac

[@amandavillasenorhuerta]

Omg i think this is my problem i knew something was up

[@nancyhoward7005]

Bleach and pine sole. Not working

[@aronph1]

The actual video starts at 3:41

[@TheTiggerlett]

Reddix RV liquid works better than happy camper

[@RVEastCoast]

Thanks for the tip.

[@fishingandcampingchannel8682]

Clean your tank after you dump

[@temirtaragay8932]

Just say " RV toilet smells bad? We found the problem" be straightforward

[@Cart_kid]

Chlorine dioxide works for this

[@moepow8160]

Dometic really screwed up this one, not only did they put a bad toilet in, and the dealership left a bad toilet in when they sold it they stuck the same damm toilet, model #, in when they fixed it. The 2nd toilet is worse then the first. There is un cured sealant squishing out of the seal and the standing water looks nasty, it leaks through a bad seal. I want to drive to their location and drop this piece of s*#* toilet on their door step. Don't care what you buy if the toilet has a model number 300 Dometic...Don't buy the vehicle...walk away. I am sure there are hundreds of these toilets out there in stock and both the dealer and Dometic just keep putting bad toilets in? I am considering taking them to court for this because its sewage and its been 9 months. Check that toilet model number before you buy!

[@RVEastCoast]

Yep, unfortunately they done;t make a quality product.

[@jennishainerman7663]

I was so frustrated trying to solve the mystery of the ammonia smell, washing again and again the toilet, the tank, buying more new chemicals and special tools to clean deeper...ahhhh , and reading the comments of all those people, knowing there are so many outside there who still did not "discover" the reason. The most hilarious part of my story: called the dealer, the dometic toilets are back order, they think they might have them beginning of next season. We have a steady foundation for a class action lawsuit.

[@tmscreeper]

Hey I have just uploaded a new video. And I gave you guys a shoutout.

[@RVEastCoast]

+Big City Small Spaces wow thank you so much. We are glad our cideo help someone. Our apologies for the late response! We have been traveling a lot lately!

[@tmscreeper]

Hey guys np enough the open road. But the replacement they sent did the same thing I just got another replacement to the 310 Series. Fingers crossed 🤞 don’t run into any more problems.

[@TobyLong]

Bio method