There are a few potential causes.
Rv awning smells.
Always give it ample time to dry before retracting it.
Precipitation and condensation leave it damp thus promoting fungal growth.
Which is the stinky smell of hydrogen sulfide effusing from your black tank which knocks you out each time you get into your rv.
Mildew is a common problem for rv awnings particularly those that get rolled in and stored while they are still wet or damp.
But the cause of your rv s stinky problem could be due to tank damage.
Remember that if you clean the awning you need to also clean completely its housing where it gets rolled in.
If the smell you experience is ongoing and not solely when people are using it.
Why does my rv smell like a sewer.
Mold on rv awnings is also another common occurrence.
Spray the underside of your awning with a soap and water mixture and then roll it up let it sit for an hour.
Just like putting away a wet tent rolling up a wet rv awning can lead to mold and all of the problems that go along with it dry rot a bad stink and eventually ruined fabric.
While the biggest mold mildew and rot issues occur within the walls and floor of an rv it is also possible to find mold and mildew growing on the outside of your rv.
Roll the awning back out rinse it off and let it dry.
The problem happens because many people keep it rolled up giving it little exposure to the sun.
Hydrogen sulfide gas produces a strong and unpleasant rotten egg odor and taste.
These things if left unchecked can quickly take over your tiny home on wheels leaving you with serious and costly problems.
Mildew is not as big of a problem as mold as it tends to be more on the surface of the awning and it is more easily cleaned up.
Wait for your rv awning to dry before rolling it up.
Fortunately if the sun s out the drying out process should not take too long.
Sometimes though the smell is absorbed into the awning and never fully comes out.
Sun is also one of your best friend against mold and being able to take the awning off the rv allows you to keep it in the sun as much as possible even if you dont use the rv.
Do not use car products they can have some additives that will actually help the mold.
Because water and moisture create mold mildew and dry rot.
By the way this can also happen in new rv s.
When you think about the place the toilet s contents go it s not a pretty picture.
You spend about 5 minutes working on it and it comes out like a brand new dust free awni ng.
Regularly roll out your awning to check for any discoloration or smells.
