npenn
Oregon
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Joined: 11/09/2007
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The propane detector is IMO not a good carbon monoxide detector. First I would get a good carbon monoxide detector in addition to you propane detector. Second as noted keep head up, head down can cause headaches. I do not think mold will react that fast but worth checking out. Might consider a complete safety check by a good RV shop.
Happy Trails
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Campnfuls
Yreka, CA
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Joined: 10/18/2007
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Do you use holding tank chemicals that have formaldehyde?
I want to leave this earth quietly in my sleep like my grandfather and not like the hysterical, screaming passengers riding in granddad's RV just before the big crash.
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harvwong
Vancouver, BC
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Joined: 09/02/2007
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rcolman wrote:Just replaced the propane alarm ... nothing noted.
If it were CO, doesn't something have to be combusting ?? At night, nothing is burning ... no heater, no water heater, fridge is running on electric, etc. etc.
I would air out the camper after shutting everything off just in case there was a buildup of CO during the evening. You could rent a professional CO detector (reads in increments of 1 ppm) or a multigas detector from a safety supply/equipment rental store just to be safe. I would rent one with oxygen, CO and VOCs (volatile organic compounds). It would be about $75/day for the rental. I use units like these at work.
Harvey, Helen + 2 kids
2001 Silverado DRW, CC, 6.0L, Torklifts, Fastguns, Firestone Air Bags, ScanGauge II, SeeLevel Gauge,Dual Backup Cameras
2006 Bigfoot 25C10.6E, 4-6V Costco Batteries (42 nights to date)
1992 F150, SAS, 35's, locked
1979 Bronco, 38's
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goff1256
co
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Does the oven have a pilet? Turning off the LP at the tank would be a good place to start.
Erick & Jackie Goff; Plus Sophie the Fu Fu Dog
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Sportsman Matt
Blackstone, MA
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rcolman wrote:I have a 1997 Fleetwood Caribou in decent shape. However, my wife is complaining of headaches every morning. What do do?
======================================================================
My one REAL gripe with the current camper are the daily headaches I had
on our trip ...something unique to that arrangement (propane leak, CO2,
sleeping position or ?) gave me a headache every morning. Didn't happen
in the Class A we rented and doesn't happen at home. Also, don't
remember it ever happening in the Lance. The nature of the headache was
different from migraine or tension headaches I've had. It's a definite
concern...
Maybe I should try sleeping in the camper with and without the propane
on to eliminate that as a possible cause? I can't think what else it
could be, can you?
===============================================================
Rick
First try airing out the camper. I have one of the smallest here on the forum, and I leave at least 2 roof vents open inside the max air covers all year. I often open all the windows to air it out also.
As for CO and LP detectors, mount the CO detector at the same level as your head would be at in the cabover sleeping area.
I wouldn't rush to say it's CO poisoning or LP poisoning without checking the detectors out. Some say a faulty water heater or furnace, I doubt it, mainly because the furnace pulls the air it heats from inside, while the air it pulls for the combustion chamber to use with the flame comes from the exterior next to the exhaust. The Hot water heater is the same way, pulls air and discharges the exhaust on the outside, not inside. Same with the refrigerator too.
I have a good feeling it may be either a change of bedding (I spent 3 weeks sleeping in the recliner and on the floor in my hotel room because the bed was way too soft, had no support, and felt like I was going to get sucked into it like quicksand) The other thing would be check the pillows, and the matress for mould or signs of water damage.
Last would be airflow, you would be surprised how little air there is in a camper, if you sleep with all the windows closed, you and your spouse could be using up more oxygen than what would be normally available when sleeping, and lack of oxygen or excessive CO2 (not CO) can cause headaches without triggering the CO detector. open Roof vents, if concerned about rain, get Maxx Air covers, and open windows to allow airflow. Most camper furnaces are sufficient to heat the camper with the windows partially open.
Good luck.
Life is short, Play harder.
2002 GMC Sierra 1500 Regular Cab Long Bed 4.3L V6 Automatic 2WD
1989 Sunline C-750 Slide In Truck Camper
7'6" Floor, 11'6" OAL
Fishing and Hunting New England and eventually the world
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louiskathy
Oregon (presently)
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My hubby would get a headache every sunday afternoon around 1pm. A bad one. We finally figured out that Sunday morning was the only morning of the week that he did not have coffee first thing in the morning. We would be dashing out the door (no time for breakfast). He wouldn't have a cup of coffee until after we came home from church...and then his headache would be gone shortly after we ate our meal (and he had coffee).
I don't know if you change your eating routine when you are away from home....it's the only thing I could add that hasn't been suggested already.
Kathy
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KKELLER14K
BEAVERTON OREGON
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Possible motion too...I have been sea sick from it before..spacial disorientation can be another.. are you keeping the rig from rocking around?
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billtex
RI
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Not likely formaldehyde as the camper is a 1997 and FH would off gas in a couple of months. FH based adhesives, used in particle board, were outlawed back in the 1980’s, but the RV industry does still widely use these adhesives. Headaches are not one of the common symptoms though.
C0 detectors should be mounted near the ceiling…although I would probably try it for a few minutes in various locations. They are very sensitive and should alert you within seconds if carbon monoxide is present. I would be very surprised if you do not have one in your camper already, from the factory.
I vote for mold…
Pick up a DIY test kit at local hardware store.
Bill
2006 D/A CC
25'Airstream Excella
Adventurer 810WS
Camping all around New England
Good People Drink Good Beer-Hunter S Thompson
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pjay9
Tacoma, WA
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How new is the camper? Could be the gassing off from the chems (new car smell)in the new products that make the camper. Open windows and air it out! Capt PJ
2005 Lance 1161 2004 Dodge CTD 3500 Dually 2009 Raider 185 Pro Fish 90hp Yamaha
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agteacher
Ohio
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Joined: 02/09/2005
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Based on the age of the camper, I would check some things.
Do the headaches happen only in the camper or do the headaches occur in other places?
Is your wife allergic to anything that you know of?
Do you have a CO2 detector? You can purchase one that plugs into an electrical outlet. If it goes off, then you have a problem that needs to be found.
Was the camper closed up for any length of time? Did it smell musty when you opened the door? Are you using any air fresheners in the camper? Did you use any cleaners in the camper? Is the mattress old (dust mites? or it might have mold spores in it from stagnant moist air that was in the camper)? New laundry detergent or fabric softner?
If CO2 is not an issue, I would suggest the following:
Leave the camper closed up for a period of time (all day or a couple days if possible)
Open the door - what do you smell? Ask your wife what she smells?
If you detect an odor, what do you think it is?
Remove the soft surfaces - mattress, rugs, cushions, blankets, etc and air them outside. The sun has amazing purification properties.
While the soft surfaces are out, air out the camper - open all of the windows, the door, the vents and have fans moving the air.
Inspect the camper - do you see any discolorations? Check the mattress and soft surfaces too (were they wet at one time? You might want to replace them if they were - especially the mattress).
Clean the camper with water or a mild water / vinegar combination. I'm suggesting the water / vinegar combination because it doesn't have perfumes in it that become concentrated in a small camper and it works well to clean. Also has some antibacterial / antifungal properties. Don't just clean the counters, clean the whole camper from top to bottom (roof, walls, floor, under the mattress, refrigerator, vents).
Make sure all surfaces are dry before you close up the camper. Hopefully a thorough cleaning will solve the problem.
If you have a musty smell even after the thorough cleaning, most likely you have a problem in the walls and you a bigger problem than I can help you with.
4 kids (One is my husband, but I sometimes wonder)
8 yr boy,9 yr girl,10 yr girl
01 International 4700
99 Dodge 2500 Quad Long Bed,Cummins,Rhino Liner
98 Lance Squire 4000
06 WW SLC 3505
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