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.

[Denali]

We have been fulltiming since 2002, and I have used quite a few stinky-tank solutions.

On our last motor home, we were getting gray tank fumes in the coach while traveling. I solved that with an RV 360 vent cap. There are other similar products, and they probably all work.

For routine black tank odor control, RID-X works very well, but it takes a few days before it starts working as a deodorizer if you wait too long between treatments (7-10 days, in my experience). Until recently, I used it continuously for 6-7 years. It is very inexpensive compared to products aimed at RVers. The liquid version works MUCH better than the powder version for deodorizing. I have no idea whether it actually aids in breaking down waste in an RV holding tank. Waste appears to breaks down pretty quickly no matter what product I have used.

To reduce or eliminate black tank fumes, I found that Pure Power works better than just about anything, works immediately, and is very inexpensive. I started using it exclusively about six months ago, when we met a lady in a campground selling it. It only takes about two ounces to immediately deodorize the black tank, and it's effectiveness lasts 7-10 days, like RID-X.

Another product that works as well as Pure Power is Odorlos, but it is several times as expensive. On the plus side, it's pretty easy to find in RV supply stores.

Hope that helps.