2010 RPod 171 Smell?
Printed From: R-pod Owners Forum
Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: Reviews and General Information
Forum Discription: Find r-pod reviews and new product announcements here
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=5160
Printed Date: 19 May 2024 at 6:55am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.64 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: 2010 RPod 171 Smell?
Posted By: StrongPod
Subject: 2010 RPod 171 Smell?
Date Posted: 13 Aug 2014 at 3:54pm
|
Hi all, I bought a new Rpod 171 in 2010 and have used it for many miles and weeks of camping. I've been wanting to ask this question. When my camper is closed up it has a smell. Once it's open, I don't notice it anymore. The smell would be more chemical-like, maybe an off gassing like smell. But I would have thought after 4-5 years that smell would go away? I noticed that the next year after mine, they came out with something called "Eco" made/built, which made me wonder?..... Let me give you some more data also: 1. I keep it meticulously clean 2. No smokers or pets have ever been in it 3. I've NEVER used the potty or shower 4. I've only hooked it up to water and used the sink twice when it was brand new 5. I've never used the hot water heater and its on bypass 6. I don't store anything in it 7. I've not added or changed anything on the interior 8. I keep it in my driveway at home and open it up and check it fairly often 9. I don't cover/tarp it 10. There are no leaks that I'm aware of 11. I don't cook food it it (I just plug in an electric skillet and coffeepot outside) 12. I always strip all bedding etc. when I return from a trip Additional info: 1. After the first two years, I quit winterizing and dewinterizing it because I wasnt using the plumbing system so I kept it permanently winterized, which the dealer said was ok. 2. I recently flushed the entire system just to make sure there wasn't something in the pink winterizing solution that might be having a chemical smell. I'm stymied, any thoughts from anyone (especially those who have the 2009/2010 Rpod 171 model) would be appreciated. |
Replies:
Posted By: Craneman
Date Posted: 13 Aug 2014 at 4:12pm
|
We to have a 2010 174, and it will develop a odor when closed up. But like you say open the door and in just a few minutes it's fine. Have never found the source and now quit looking. If you find out what the cause is let us know.!!!!!! Moe ------------- Jo and Gary, 2010-174,2011 F150 
Jo and Gary 2010 174 2011 Ford 150 |
Posted By: kymooses
Date Posted: 13 Aug 2014 at 5:56pm
|
Not using your sinks or shower, the p-traps are likely completely dry. Might be tank smell coming up through your drains. Granted you've not used your gray tank much but it could just be smelly plastic tank smelling air that is coming up through them. Might want to keep the traps all filled with water to keep air from the tank from coming back up and into your Pod. ------------- https://calendar.google.com/calendar?cid=cnBvZC5zcG90dGVyQGdtYWlsLmNvbQ - RPod Rallies https://www.google.com/maps/d/embed?mid=1W1foQXGtrjf8aYly1uh0b-bHPfI&hl=en_US - RPod Owner Map |
Posted By: StrongPod
Date Posted: 13 Aug 2014 at 6:10pm
| I thought the winterizing fluid would fill the (p) traps of the shower/sink/toilet? and keep the plastic tank air from coming up through them? |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 13 Aug 2014 at 6:18pm
|
It evaporates after time.
------------- |
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 13 Aug 2014 at 6:20pm
|
We had a 2010 171 and like Moe, any odor after being closed up for the winter was gone once we opened everything up in the spring. ------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 13 Aug 2014 at 9:14pm
|
I agree you should pour RV antifreeze into the traps to be sure, but my own test shows the stuff doesn't evaporate. I left a full cup of it in my shed over the winter one year and it was at exactly the same level in the spring. That surprised me. We had an odor for years and the solution appears to have been a poor toilet seal (at the floor, not the flush valve). ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual 
|
Posted By: Craneman
Date Posted: 13 Aug 2014 at 9:20pm
|
One thing I left out we keep the pod inside and dry when not camping, and now we open the door and keep the screen door closed. Moe ------------- Jo and Gary, 2010-174,2011 F150
Jo and Gary 2010 174 2011 Ford 150 |
Posted By: StrongPod
Date Posted: 13 Aug 2014 at 9:28pm
|
My camper seems to smell everytime I open it after its been closed up, (not just once when its opened in spring after being closed all winter). Does anyone think the smell mite b from products used to make the camper since it was not an "Eco" built camper?
|
Posted By: Craneman
Date Posted: 13 Aug 2014 at 10:58pm
X2 on the every time we close it up for a day or so the odor comes back Moe ------------- Jo and Gary, 2010-174,2011 F150
Jo and Gary 2010 174 2011 Ford 150 |
Posted By: StrongPod
Date Posted: 13 Aug 2014 at 11:39pm
|
Would u describe the smell as chemical/off gassing-like? Do u think the smell is related to the products used to build it?
What have u tried to do to get rid of the smell besides leave the door open? Have u heard of any other 2009/2010 RPod owners having this complaint? |
Posted By: David and Danette
Date Posted: 14 Aug 2014 at 4:19am
|
Our Vibe too has a smell and believe it is from the materials the camper is made from. This is probably true with just about all campers. I am no chemist but I am sure there are many different chemicals used in construction. Its the same with a house electronic equipment material used for our clothes, carpet, drapes etc. all have a chemical smell. Campers have more of a closed up space for longer periods of time. As has been said try to let your camper be aired out when possible. ------------- 2018 Vista Cruiser 19BFD (2018- 2012 Vibe 6503 (2014-2019) 2009 r-pod 171 (2009-2014) Middle Tn 2014 Ram 1500 Quad cab |
Posted By: 3ofUs
Date Posted: 14 Aug 2014 at 8:08am
| We have a 2011 182G. We continue to have a unknown smell that disappears after the camper has been opened up. I've sprayed odor neutralizers on fabric area. Also keeping a room freshener called fresh linen in camper and finally this week, I added some solution for freshening gray water tank. Camper is currently in storage under lock and key and we left the windows and door opened to see if that helps. Also, owner of storage paved our unit's floor to reduce moisture problems. At some point we will have resolution or live with it. |
Posted By: kymooses
Date Posted: 14 Aug 2014 at 8:10am
|
Our plastic/rubber shower hose stinks a lot of the time. i've meant to replace it with something for years now but just haven't bothered. but that smells very chemical rubbery to us. ------------- https://calendar.google.com/calendar?cid=cnBvZC5zcG90dGVyQGdtYWlsLmNvbQ - RPod Rallies https://www.google.com/maps/d/embed?mid=1W1foQXGtrjf8aYly1uh0b-bHPfI&hl=en_US - RPod Owner Map |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 14 Aug 2014 at 8:13am
|
I'm sensitive to offgassing. After we had the exterior of our house replaced, which made it air-tight, we then had to add a whole-house ventillation system because I would get an odd nauseating headache within an hour of coming home from work. There wasn't any odd smell either. That stopped once we added the ventillation system. I didn't notice any odd smell in the pod in the first year or two before the sewage smell appeared, and I never got any headaches. However, I always store it with the vent and a window cracked open (which didn't help with the sewage smell). So any fumes would be vented. If you have a sewage smell, there are several things you can check. One is the lower toilet seal as I mentioned in my last post. Another is the flush valve, but if it holds water then it is ok. Another is an interior vent on the drain plumbing, hidden behind the cabinetry. Another is loose joints on the drain plumbing - ours came lose under the sink about a year after we got ours and it dumped sink water all over the place. They aren't glued joints, they screw together, so the good news is it is easy to fix once you track them all down. The bad news is they loosen up too easily. Many others here have said they found lose joints under the shower and/or sink.
------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
|
Posted By: Craneman
Date Posted: 14 Aug 2014 at 9:55am
|
Ours don't smell like sewer gases. I guess you might say something like off gases from foam rubber??????? Moe ------------- Jo and Gary, 2010-174,2011 F150
Jo and Gary 2010 174 2011 Ford 150 |
Posted By: StrongPod
Date Posted: 14 Aug 2014 at 3:41pm
| Sounds like campers smell:) Probably due to poor ventilation, or construction materials, or septic issues. The solution seems to ventilate as much as possible& accept what u cant change:) |
Posted By: StrongPod
Date Posted: 17 Aug 2014 at 2:54pm
| A friend stepped n my 2009/2110 Rpod 171& thought the smell was most like the chemical Bromine that she uses n her hot tub. I read that Bromine is often used n flame resistant materials. Does anyone have any thoughts on the smell coming from a Bromine chemical? Or any thoughts on what changed when the most recent campers had the tag "Eco" built on them? |
Posted By: 3ofUs
Date Posted: 17 Aug 2014 at 3:12pm
| We have been fighting a smell since August 2011 when we purchased our used 2011 182G. We keep it in a storage facility for boats and rvs. The building had a dirt floor and recently was paved in concrete. We were advised by the owner to leave the windows and door open since it was in a locked space and maybe it was a situation of needing ventilation. We have done that and 7 days later we stopped in and the only smell is the room freshener linen. So we are thinking keeping it closed up creates the smell since we don't notice the smell when we are camping. |
Posted By: StrongPod
Date Posted: 17 Aug 2014 at 3:20pm
| Is ur camper considered "Eco" built with that sign on it? I wondered if the "green" built campers also smell? If so, then the smell would appear to be poor ventilation, not from construction materials? |
Posted By: 3ofUs
Date Posted: 17 Aug 2014 at 3:26pm
| Yes, a green camper. We had returned it to storage Monday and stopped in earlier today. So it appears ventilation is the answer. Just glad we have a secure place for it. Can't build any thing on our lot since we don't have the space. If you are keeping it at home, I think I would invest in having a Max-Air roof vent installed. We had them when we had motor homes, and it can't rain inside and kept the heat build-up to a minimum. I also use foil window shades on all windows. Hope this helps. |
Posted By: StrongPod
Date Posted: 17 Aug 2014 at 3:36pm
| Are u saying that u have a green camper& it smells? |
Posted By: 3ofUs
Date Posted: 17 Aug 2014 at 7:14pm
| It has a green label at the entrance and on the side it read eco-constructed. Is that what you are looking for? |
Posted By: shroomer
Date Posted: 17 Aug 2014 at 8:30pm
|
------------- Larry and Debbie w/Rosie the mutt. Old: '13 177, '06 Silverado V6 New: '15 Whitehawk 20MRB '14 Silverado V8 |
Posted By: shroomer
Date Posted: 17 Aug 2014 at 8:33pm
|
I'm convinced the smell is out gassing from the materials used in the camper. A little ventilation cures it. A recent post in which a member was selling his/her pod mentioned the "new camper smell" and that one was several years old. Can't be very healthy but can be handled with ventilation. "Eco"? I don't think so. ------------- Larry and Debbie w/Rosie the mutt. Old: '13 177, '06 Silverado V6 New: '15 Whitehawk 20MRB '14 Silverado V8 |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 17 Aug 2014 at 9:50pm
|
The eco has to do with the recycleability of the construction materials and the use of post consumer products in construction.. nothing to do with the chemicals used, or not used. ------------- |
Posted By: 3ofUs
Date Posted: 17 Aug 2014 at 10:32pm
| We leave the vent fan running all the time when we are camping. I like air movement and with the placement of windows, there is very little air flow unless you are at the dinette. |
Posted By: StrongPod
Date Posted: 17 Aug 2014 at 11:51pm
|
Does running the AC remove any smells? or does the AC just take the humidity out of the air in the camper but doesnt bring fresh air in? So would i b better off running the vent fan or the AC in terms of quality of air Im breathing? ------------- 2010 RPod171 w/ V8 F150 |
Posted By: 3ofUs
Date Posted: 18 Aug 2014 at 7:06am
|
Can't answer a/c question other than a/c removes humidity out of air if you can tolerate the noise. :( I don't think this is a health concern. Husband thinks it started after we got stink bug invested last Fall. We have cleaned and steam cleaned but the smell is still there if we leave it closed. Personally, I could detect a smell before stink bugs.
|
Posted By: StrongPod
Date Posted: 18 Aug 2014 at 8:05am
|
I have kept the camper really clean, so i dont think the smell can b cleaned out. Its abt 5 yrs old, Im the only owner,&it has always had this smell. I had a popup b4 this camper& it never smelled like this. I basically just use the RPod as a bedroom&live n the RDome outside. I have never used the bathroom& cook outside. The smell must b related to poor ventilation of odors from chemicals n the construction materials: plastics, glue, pressed wood etc. The 171 is hard to ventilate by just opening the door bcuz the floor plan is not open& has the stationary bedroom is isolated in the back. ------------- 2010 RPod171 w/ V8 F150 |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 18 Aug 2014 at 9:18am
|
An A/C will improve the air quality (at home and in the pod), because the condensation in the evaporator will trap odors/dust/pollen/spores in the air as it travels through. This is why physicians recommend staying indoors with windows closed and A/C on for allergy sufferers. I think there is something else going on other than construction off-gassing. since that process usually lasts for a few months to a year. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
|
Posted By: StrongPod
Date Posted: 18 Aug 2014 at 10:09am
|
Thats the mystery...if its not from the septic/plumbing system& its not from off gassing& its not from food, animals, insects, children& its not from mold-- what could it b after almost 5 yrs? ------------- 2010 RPod171 w/ V8 F150 |
Posted By: David and Danette
Date Posted: 18 Aug 2014 at 11:38am
|
Formaldehyde could be what you are smelling from the plywood. I have heard of others complaining about that. With some people they are very sensitive to it. We have furniture from Vietnam after several years there is still the strong smell of it when you open drawers. Don't ask me why they use formaldehyde but that is what I have been told. It is used in the glue that holds the ply's together that make up the plywood. ------------- 2018 Vista Cruiser 19BFD (2018- 2012 Vibe 6503 (2014-2019) 2009 r-pod 171 (2009-2014) Middle Tn 2014 Ram 1500 Quad cab |
Posted By: Kickstart
Date Posted: 18 Aug 2014 at 12:36pm
|
During the entire time we owned our RP 175 my wife complained of a recurrent repugnant smell. She found that backhanding her husband did little to cure my flatulence. ------------- '10 RP 175-Replaced by 2014 Kodiak 173 QBSL '12 Toyota Tundra '05 Sportster (half a Harley) Retired-We're on Beach Time! |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 18 Aug 2014 at 12:46pm
 ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
|
Posted By: 3ofUs
Date Posted: 18 Aug 2014 at 1:53pm
| For us the smell is nothing I've had before. Don't think it has any thing to do with camper and beginning to think it was a stink bug infestation since the smell is disappearing since we leave it opened up in storage. We owned a manufactured home back in the late 70's and that was a smell that burned your eyes, related to glue. It finally went away but took a long time. I think I would be looking to FR for solution. |