What's that smell?

[rvomaha]

I could ask Reace and Tammy this question, but will start with you guys. Our camper is 6 months old. When we leave it shut up and unoccupied for days or weeks, with no windows or vents open, it gets a strong chemical (?) smell inside that burns the eyes. Do you think this is caused by vapors coming from the construction materials of the camper? Anybody else have this happen? Will it eventually go away?

--Liz

[kalyson]

We noticed a chemical smell, too, when it was new. We aired it out and it went away. Closing it up made it come back for a while, then not so much. Very faint at this point.

Maybe ask Reace and Tammy about it ... I would guess it is off-gassing of some of the materials and maybe the glue used for the laminate surfaces, etc.

It worried us a bit, too, but we just made a point of airing it out. We had stored it in an inside warehouse for rvs so we could leave vents up, etc.

[Devil Dog]

It's like that new car smell. It goes away after a bit and after a few cooked meals it's just like home away from home. only better.

[escape artist]

Hi: rvomaha... I hope it's not ammonia leaking from the fridge. We always leave the MaxxFan open to exhaust the stale air.
Our Escape Hatch still has that new RV smell... but now it's paid for, so we own that too!!! Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

[Devil Dog]

I think it's freon not ammonia But it's not used on newer fridges now a days it's baned.

R-134a and certain blends are now replacing chlorinated compounds.

I have no Idea what is or what it smells like.

[escape artist]

Hi: Devil Dog...The RV absorption fridges...the ones without compressors, use ammonia. The heat from the power source boils the ammonia which rises through the coils and when cooling down absorbs the heat from the fridge. It returns to the boiling chamber to be reheated and cycled again and again. Any leak in the coils will allow the ammonia out thus the smell and probably cause some stinging of the eyes too!!! Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

[Devil Dog]

Ah, yes you are correct. I forgot about the propane... Oops.

[rvomaha]

Not thinking the smell is propane or ammonia or anything else that could leak. Our latest theory is that the smell is especially bad now because of the heat wave and perhaps that drives off fumes from construction adhesives. --Liz

[dave macrae]

some of the adviesives and construction materials in general can take a surprising amount of time to fully cure and off gas themselves. certianly high temps is not going to help with the smell at all. make sure to air out as much as posible. try reading the msd sheets on some of this stuff it can be very interesting