strong odor in safari

[timrad2009]

Hello! We recently purchased a '98 Safari, which we love! It's in really great condition, however, it has a very strong odor inside that seems to be getting stronger over the 3 months that we've had it. The best way to describe it is that it smells like a strong plastic odor or some type of chemical (but not the toilet chemicals). It does seem to dissipate when we air it out, but comes right back when the door and windows are closed. Has anyone out there experienced this, and if so, any ideas on what might be causing it or how to alleviate it?

Thanks!
Michelle K.

[richinny]

if it smells like sulfur or rotten eggs, the batteries might be getting over charged.

[JK3500]

I've had a similar odor in my International before. Turns out it was the plastic Sterilite containers under the bed. Some of them have a very strong, offensive plastic odor. You never notice it in a house but in an enclosed space like an Airstream...

The other thing I've found is that it takes awhile to get rid of an odor, even after removing the offending material. Seems to "stick to the walls" or something. Takes a few days of airing out to get rid of it.

Good luck. jk

[timrad2009]

Thanks for the tip. I'll try removing the plastic containers (ours are under the couch) and see if that helps. After looking for threads regarding this problem prior to starting a new thread, but not finding any, I have since found two other threads about a similar odor. Someone described it as an old tupperware smell, which does sort of describe it. It seems that a lot of people have a similar complaint, but there doesn't appear to be anyone else out there who can identify the culprit. The plastic containers are useful, but if the smell goes away after they're removed, we can do without them. I'm concerned that it's more likely coming from the materials used in the walls, ceiling or cabinets, so we'd just have to live with it if we don't want to completely overhaul the inside, which we don't.

Michelle

[sempi2]

We have no plastic containers, but we do have "odd" odors. Looking for anyone who could give us some advise - what it might be.

[6kitties]

We found something like old moth balls in our trailer that smelled. They must have been there for a long time because I didn't associate them with the odor in the trailer. My husband kept complaining about a chemical odor, but I thought he was crazy. Once we found the offending packets and tossed them out, things have been getting much better.

[flakeyjake]

Have you tried to locate the source of the odor? Or is it just everywhere? That's what we are trying to do with our FC (on another thread). Source should have the strongest concentrations.