RV Remodel Ideas: Start With the Tank, Not the Tile
If you’ve spent any time around our park here on Grand Lake, you know I love talking RVs almost as much as I love watching the sun go down over the water. And one conversation that comes up more than you’d think? Bathroom remodels.
Folks pull in with big plans — new flooring, a fresh vanity, maybe swapping out that flimsy stock toilet for something that actually feels like home. I’m all for it. But before you start tearing into trim and picking out paint colors, I want to talk about something that doesn’t show up on most RV remodel ideas lists: what’s going on underneath all that pretty new stuff.
Because here’s the truth — I’ve seen plenty of campers with gorgeous bathroom remodels that still smell like, well, a campground bathroom that hasn’t been touched in years. And it’s almost never the tile’s fault.
A Smell Is a Symptom, Not a Starting Point
When folks ask me about remodel ideas, what they usually mean is “how do I make this bathroom feel less like an RV bathroom and more like a real one?” And honestly, a big part of that comes down to odor control — because no amount of shiplap is going to make a smelly bathroom feel like home.
Before you remodel anything, it’s worth figuring out why your bathroom smells the way it does. In my experience, it usually comes down to one of three things:
- The toilet seal isn’t holding water the way it should
- There’s leftover buildup sitting in the black tank
- The tank isn’t venting properly, so odors are finding their way back inside
If any of those are happening, a remodel is just going to put a nice coat of paint over the problem. So before you pick out your new flooring, it’s worth doing a little detective work. The RV Industry Association is a great resource for understanding how your RV’s plumbing systems are designed to work together — worth a read before diving into any major project.
If Your Toilet Won’t Hold Water, Start There
A lot of RV toilets are designed so that a little standing water in the bowl acts like a barrier between you and the tank below. If that water disappears quickly, that barrier’s gone — and so is your defense against tank odors creeping up.
Sometimes it’s as simple as a seal that’s dried out or gotten dirty. A good cleaning or a seal conditioner can work wonders. But if you’ve tried that and the bowl still won’t hold water, it might be time to replace the seal — or, if you’re already remodeling, consider upgrading to a residential-style toilet altogether. It’s one of the most popular remodel upgrades I see folks do here at the park, and for good reason. Just make sure whatever you install still maintains that water seal, because that’s doing more work than people realize.
For a deeper dive on toilet seal types and what to look for, Family Handyman’s guide to RV toilet repairs is a solid starting point.
Smell Worse After You Flush? Don’t Just Reach for the Air Freshener
This one trips a lot of people up. If the smell actually gets worse right after flushing, that’s usually a sign that waste and toilet paper aren’t fully clearing the tank. Maybe not enough water’s going in with each flush, or the valve’s been left open too long, letting liquid drain out and leaving the solids behind to sit — and smell.
If that sounds familiar, no remodel project is going to fix it. What will help:
- Use plenty of water with every flush
- Keep that black tank valve closed between dumps, and let the tank fill up before you empty it
- Give the tank a real rinse after dumping — not just a quick flush
Once you’ve got that buildup cleared out and your habits dialed in, then go ahead and have fun with the remodel. A clean tank means your new bathroom will actually smell like the bathroom you built, not like the one it replaced.
Don’t Forget About the Vent When You’re Remodeling
This is the one most people skip entirely — and it’s an easy one to overlook during a remodel, especially if you’re moving fixtures around or adding new cabinetry near the plumbing.
Your black tank is supposed to vent out through the roof, which lets sewer gases escape outside instead of building up inside your RV. If that vent gets blocked, disconnected, or just isn’t drawing air the way it should, odors can end up right back inside — sometimes in places that have nothing to do with the bathroom. I’ve talked to guests who chased a “bathroom smell” for weeks before realizing it was actually coming from a closet near the vent stack.
If you’re doing any kind of remodel that involves the plumbing wall, take a few minutes to check that the vent line is connected properly and clear of debris. It’s a lot easier to fix during a remodel than after everything’s buttoned back up. The EPA’s guide to indoor air quality in small spaces is a helpful reminder of why proper ventilation matters more than most people think.
My Honest Take: Remodel for Comfort, Maintain for Peace of Mind
I always tell folks here — your RV remodel should make the place feel like yours. New countertops, better lighting, a shower that doesn’t feel like a phone booth — all of that makes a real difference in how much you enjoy your time on the road or parked up at a place like ours.
But odor control isn’t really a remodel project. It’s a maintenance habit. Keep water in the bowl, watch your dumping habits, rinse the tank well, and check that vent every once in a while. Do that, and your beautiful new bathroom will actually feel as good as it looks — instead of being a really nice-looking room you try to avoid.
Once your rig is dialed in and road-ready, we’d love to have you out here on Grand Lake. Check out our amenities page to see what’s waiting for you, and if you’re thinking about a longer stay while you tackle that remodel, our monthly rates might be worth a look — plenty of folks use a long-term site here as a home base while they work on their rigs.
If you’re working on a remodel and want to talk through ideas, swing by the office next time you’re at the park. I love this stuff way more than is probably normal, and I’m always happy to chat.
Author: Darin Berryhill