Maintenance

Park it without pickling it.

A closed coach in heat or freeze is an odor incubator. Do this before you walk away for a month or a season, and again when you come back.

This checklist will be saved in your browser’s memory for the next time you visit rvsmells.com.

Black and gray dumped and rinsed. Don’t store them full. Black tank: a little water + treatment, valve closed, cap on. Every drain got a cup of water (or RV pink in freeze country) so traps stay wet. Toilet bowl/seal isn’t sitting dry for months. Fridge empty, off, doors ajar. Full steps on Fridge & food. Pantry emptied of oils, potatoes, and anything that can rot or attract mice. Moisture absorbers in bath and closets, or a trickle of ventilation if the lot allows. Damp towels and shower curtain are out, not balled up in a corner. LP policy for storage followed (many lots want tanks off; some want them removed). Return trip: refill traps, sniff the fridge vents, then the bath, before you assume “it’s just stale.”

Fridge and pantry steps: Fridge & food. Coming back to a mystery? Start on the home page and pick the smell.