Odor from shower drain
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Forum Name: Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
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URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=4908
Printed Date: 09 Jun 2025 at 3:43pm
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Topic: Odor from shower drain
Posted By: shroomer
Subject: Odor from shower drain
Date Posted: 30 Jun 2014 at 9:00am
I have a 2013 177. The pod hasn't been used since Memorial Day. There's been a gray water tank smell coming from the shower drain. When I opened the inspection grille, I found water under the trap. Current theory is that the trap is draining out and the gas is coming up into the camper.
1. I'm looking for information on how to remove and reset this trap. Is there any access besides that little hole?
2. Also, where is this leaky water going?
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Larry and Debbie w/Rosie the mutt. Old: '13 177, '06 Silverado V6
New: '15 Whitehawk 20MRB '14 Silverado V8
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Replies:
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 30 Jun 2014 at 9:25am
The water is probably just drying up right there. there is only a 1/2 cup or so in the trap to begin with. I would try to locate the actual leakpoint.. P traps themselves don't leak often. Should have a twist tighten joint on both sides.. and yes, that hole is what you have to work with/through. If the P trap does empty or evaporate away, you will get odor for sure. The answer of course is to have the P trap full of water..
At least one owner has increaded the size of the access hole, and used a larger grate to hide/cover the hole.
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Posted By: CharlieM
Date Posted: 30 Jun 2014 at 9:26am
I had similar, but worse, problems on a 2013 RP-172. First I found the P-trap for the shower sink drain had not been tightened where it connected to the vertical drain/vent pipe. Water freely ran out on the floor. I was able to access and tighten, but only by cutting out more of the wall opening.
Later the shower floor drain began leaking. Water flowed out onto the floor and dripped outside below the camper. I was able to determine the floor drain P-trap also had not been tightened, but I couldn't get my big hands in to tighten it. And the floor drain itself was loose in the shower pan. A local CW was able to fix both and LL covered it under warranty. Seems like a Friday afternoon assembly issue. The water leaks onto and into the flooring which is wood. It needs to be fixed quickly. Good luck to you.
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Charlie
Northern Colorado
OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD
PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD
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Posted By: ToolmanJohn
Date Posted: 30 Jun 2014 at 4:54pm
Hopefully there is no water leak, and all you're experiencing is the water evaporating from the trap.
You can pour a little RV anti-freeze (the stuff you would winterize the water system with) into each trap (shower, bathroom sink, and kitchen sink) it won't evaporate easily, and will stay longer.
ALSO you can place some plastic wrap over the filled drain hole to help with evaporation. You should do this on the toilet as well, don't let the toilet bowl dry out, then the flap seal can dry out and leak. Then it won't hold water very well.
Also, you should add some RV Black tank treatment to the gray tank after dumping, and also between uses. I have done this and it works as sometimes I am more than a month between uses in the Summer (I tend to go camping in Spring and Fall). It really helps with any stink, especially if you have it stored near your house and the tank vents are wide open and the wind is blowing towards your house windows.
Good luck.
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Posted By: Budward
Date Posted: 30 Jun 2014 at 6:15pm
You can also pour a couple of tablespoons of vegetable oil in the trap, once it is full of water, to almost stop evaporation.
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2014 179
Towed by a 2015 Ford Transit Diesel
Supervised by a German/Aussie mix and a Labradoodle!
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Posted By: shroomer
Date Posted: 01 Jul 2014 at 11:18am
Good suggestions all. I thank you.
I pulled the trap out (small hands finally work for something) and will reset it. Any ideas on a good sticky, non-hardening sealant to use around the shower drain? That was one source of the leak underneath.
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Larry and Debbie w/Rosie the mutt. Old: '13 177, '06 Silverado V6
New: '15 Whitehawk 20MRB '14 Silverado V8
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Posted By: CharlieM
Date Posted: 01 Jul 2014 at 12:06pm
Originally posted by shroomer
Good suggestions all. I thank you.
I pulled the trap out (small hands finally work for something) and will reset it. Any ideas on a good sticky, non-hardening sealant to use around the shower drain? That was one source of the leak underneath.
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Normally you'd use plumber's putty but it depends on being able to properly tighten the drain. May be difficult or impossible in the tight space. And both ends of the P-trap need tightening. No putty. Good luck.
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Charlie
Northern Colorado
OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD
PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD
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