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Ketchup smell

sspssp Member Posts: 3
edited September 30 in Tips & Tricks
Hello Everybody, 

When I open the door of my T@B (2019 T@B 400 DB) I am greeted with a pretty unique smell. The best I can do to describe it is.. ketchup.  We purchased it in April this year, and I recall it from day 1.  So, spring like temperatures, summer intense heat, all the same ketchupy smell that goes away once it ventilates a little.  Googling this, the smell is linked with mold or bacterial growth associated with high humidity (I do not have any leaks, new or old on all the compartments I've opened) or coolant leaks (none that I know) gas leaks (none either, no alarms or stove Alde malfunctions). 

I'm starting to think that it might be one of the interior finishings off-gassing something that I hope is not harmful. 

Anyone else with a distinct sweet, ketchup-like odor in their trailers?  Any ideas?

Thanks in advance. 
2019 TAB400 BD
VW Atlas SEL 3.6L 4WD with factory tow package
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Comments

  • qhumberdqhumberd Administrator, Moderator Posts: 663
    When I think of smells I think of the refrigerator. Which one do you have, large 3 way or the smaller 2 way? Something around/behind or under the frig is worth checking.

    2019  T@B400 Boondock Lite "Todd"

    2016 Toyota Tundra 5.7 Crew Cab
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  • Sharon_is_SAMSharon_is_SAM Administrator Posts: 10,005
    I think of a dry P trap.  Run water in your sinks and shower and add some diluted Happy Camper.  
    Sharon / 2017 T@B CSS / 2015 Toyota Sienna Minivan / Westlake, Ohio
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  • Tabaz Tabaz Member Posts: 2,412
    Yep - 2X about the P-traps.  Been there, done that.
    2016 Outback 320
    2024 Ford F150 Supercrew short bed.
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  • sspssp Member Posts: 3
    Thanks for your answers but not the p-traps, used the camper this weekend and the smell persists. Not the refrigerator either, it is clean (smaller 2 way under the stove). It is not a bad odor at all, like it would come from a dry p-trap or a refrigerator. 
    2019 TAB400 BD
    VW Atlas SEL 3.6L 4WD with factory tow package
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  • TourDeForthTourDeForth Member Posts: 119
    This is a wild guess, but if you have agm batteries that are getting old they can sometimes emit an odor, maybe have them checked? Usually the smell is “rotten eggs” due to sulfation while charging. That ketchup smell could be the mild start to the failure.
    2023 T@B 320s Boondock, 2013 Toyota Tacoma TRD 4x4
    John, Northern California
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  • sspssp Member Posts: 3
    Thanks.  Changed 6 year old AGMs to LiFePO4 a couple of months ago. Smell persists. 
    2019 TAB400 BD
    VW Atlas SEL 3.6L 4WD with factory tow package
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  • Gomers2Gomers2 Member Posts: 85
    We had a similar issue with our unit. It was a head scratcher but ultimately we determined it was the brand of dish soap we were using. It didn't really smell when you were using it if that makes sense ... But when stored in a warm closed environment the smell when you opened the door was quite strong. So maybe you have something similar going on? Soap or lotion or bug spray or some bedding that has an order? Just one more thing to try I guess!
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