Black Tank Odor

[NH Horseman]

I know this subject has been discussed many many times. We have a 2011 Zinger ZT25. On a trip, last year, we got the black tank odor in the camper after traveling some distance. I know, I know, nothing new!! It happened a couple of times but then went away on future trips. This Spring I installed one of those rotating vent caps that provide suction at the top of the vent pipe when driving. First two trips, no smell. Last trip, smell again. Seems to happen only when I travel with a tank that has not been dumped while on my way to a dump station some miles away. I've checked the drains and they are not dried out. We just finished a weekend of camping and all drains had been used. We had not just dumped so didn't suck out the traps of water. Toilet had water in it so the smell could not have come out of there.

What am I missing?

[Lloyd]

Do you travel with a window/windows open, or the roof vent open?

[Livewire]

Don't know for sure but had the problem once before and someone told me to close the roof vents when travelling .I close them every time now when travelling and haven't had a problem since.

[NH Horseman]

Thanks. I must admit, my roof vents were open. It was hot!!! But, I will make sure they are closed next time and see what happens. Next time out is Labor Day so it will be a while!!

[Z1 owner]

I had the same problem with vents closed, Once I dumped the black tank the smell was gone. I guess the heat plus time between dumps equals stank.....

[NH Horseman]

That's a bummer! I've owned one Tow behind camper, three motorhomes and now this camper. I had the odor problem maybe twice in 30 years in the other units. In this one, I've had it three times just this year, so far. And, I must admit, it was after traveling from a campground, several miles to a dump station.

[ewbldavis]

Some of problem may have been heat...that stuff gets stinky when it bakes!

[mark5w]

Use Geo method to clean black tank. Should help eliminate odor.

http://sites.google.com/site/cbruni/

[Z1 owner]

I found that if I put a bit more bleach in the fresh tank than drinkable and only use it for the toilet as we wouldn't drink out of that tank anyway it helps keep the smell down a lot....also keeps the fresh tank sanitized and prevents it from getting slimy.