Stinky Tanks...., Nothing works. Options

[Pioneerclaims]

I have a six year old fifth wheel. The odor from the holding tanks is aweful!!! I have tried every chemical in Camping World's catalog. I have tried filling the tanks 1/3 and driving around so it will slosh loose any crud in the tanks, but it still smells aweful when I flush. Can you use Rid X in an rv?

Please advise.

[joez]

Can you use Rid X in an rv?

Yes, you can use Rid-X but it probably will not help as the bacteria will not have time to work. You have a holding tank, not a septic tank. Your black tank should be vented out the roof. Sometimes those vents get clogged or are otherwise not working. This will cause odors. If you have an exhaust fan on when you flush, the exhaust will suck odors out of the tank sometimes.

Generally if the vent is working and the exhaust is not on, a good cleaning of the tank with an in tank flusher or one inserted through the toilet will help considerably. Because odors come from bacteria, you can also add a cup of bleach to the tank. This will kill everything. But you will need to dump immediately and many septic systems would not like the bleach you just dumped.

IMO, commercial deodorants sold for black tanks are smoke and mirrors, and they are obviously not working for you. We use the Geo Method (do a Google search) with lots of water, liquid laundry detergent and Calgon wetter. We never have odors, even when we store the unit when Fl wintering in the s&b with the rv tank 1/3 full of "stuff". Many use only water with great success and no odors. Good luck.