Help, where's that smell coming from

[desi arnaz]

i have spent my last 10 years at the cancer clinic,and have never smelled anything like this.....it really smells like a stable

[overlander63]

Okay, since we have ruled out the "usual suspects", how about the adhesive that holds the particle board together? I know back in the, umm, good old days, Hide glue from animal skins was used to glue pieces of particle board together. I don't remember any strong smell with it, but it has been a while since I was around it. It could be in the particle board itself. Not that I think this is it, but some of the older trailers came with horsehair-stuffed cushions in the couch. I have not seen one in a newer trailer, but if you have one, it could explain a great many scents.

[Karyn]

We had an odor in our trailer we couldn't track down for quite awhile after we purchased it. It always smelled strongest in the galley area.

We finally discovered the drain pipe from the kitchen sink had become disconnected from the grey tank and was spilling all the dirty sink water onto the tank. It had soaked and blackened the styrofoam insulation between the grey tank and the belly pan. We reattached the pipe, changed out the styrofoam and tacked the belly pan back on. Once in awhile, in the closed up cupboards, I still get a faint whiff of the old odor, but for the most part it's cured.

[desi arnaz]

mine is a 2000 so there should be no formaldahyde in the boards.all the furniture is in the garage and the tanks have never been used?????????????

[overlander63]

Originally Posted by taflocks

mine is a 2000 so there should be no formaldahyde in the boards.

Wanna bet? I found this after a quick Google search on formeldehyde in travel trailers:
QUOTE:

Where Can Formaldehyde Be Found?
Mobile homes, motor homes, and travel trailers are known for high amounts of formaldehyde since so many of their components may be made from particle board or pressed-wood products.

Even in small amounts formaldehyde can cause serious health problems and unfortunately takes years to finally dissipate after being used in manufactured products. In some cases, exposure to formaldehyde can increase a persons sensitivity to other irritants or chemicals that were never a problem in the past, making them allergic to almost anything. For some people, past exposure to formaldehyde has permanently impaired their health and well being for the rest of their lives.

END QUOTE
So, you may think you have gotten rid of it, but it may be in the glue in the plywood floor, any cabinets that are made from particle board, even the wooden frames of your furniture.

[desi arnaz]

could be,but it is a different smell................

[overlander63]

Originally Posted by taflocks

could be,but it is a different smell................

I agree. I could not in my wildest imagination think Formaldehyde smells like hay, the above post was just an FYI about what may well be in your trailer.

[desi arnaz]

i am going to replace all the insulation on the road side with reflextex, i have talked with the factory and they seem to think it will work. any thoughts?

[desi arnaz]

it's not really an offensive smell,just a bothersome smell