The Ultimate Waste Tank Disposal Post

I've seen so many posts on this topic that I decided to write up everything I know about the three main ways to empty your waste tanks.

In practice, there are only three popular ways to empty your waste tanks: Stinky Slinky, Sewer Solution, and a Macerator. Here's what you should know about each.

Stinky Slinky
The Stinky Slinky is your basic 3 inch diameter sewer hose that you connect to your coach's waste valve outlet. These can range from a cheap 3 inch corrugated flexible hose with no connections on it to an elaborate double walled 3 inch hose with positive shut off valves on the sewer side and clear swiveling connections. You typically keep both tank valves closed until you are ready to dump, then dump the black tank first, and use the gray tank to rinse out the hose before disconnecting. Cost can run from around $20 to upwards of $90 depending on adapters, fittings, bends, ramps, etc.

Stinky Slinky Pros:

• Simple Solution, few moving parts
  
• Very fast dump speed
  
• Potentially the cheapest solution

Stinky Slinky Cons:

• Sewer contents tend to remain in corrugated hose
  
• Smelliest solution available
  
• Subject to collapse from abuse
  
• Subject to pinholes from abrasion
  
• Donuts and sewer adapters are extra or come as a more expensive kit.
  
• Setup can be more elaborate with ramps
  
• Tank valves must be kept closed to accumulate grey water for flushing and avoid sewer gasses
  
• Slowest setup and put-away time because of ramps and rinsing

The Stinky Slinky is the best solution for use at a dump station because it's very fast to dump. It's not the best solution for germaphobes, pumping uphill, or those with high gray water use. It is, by far, the most common and popular way to dump tanks.

Macerator
A Macerator is an electric pump that typically remains attached to your MH coach's tank outlet (although some units are portable). On trailers or 5th wheels with outside valves, you must use a portable unit. The portable units do not come complete with hoses. I have no experience with portable macerators, but am told that the dump speed is faster than the fixed macerator.

The macerator chops up the contents of your tanks and pumps them through a 1 inch hose to the sewer. Most Macerators allow you to keep your gray water tank open so you can shower, use the dishwasher, wash clothes, etc. without worrying about filling your gray tanks. Cost is approximately $400 plus installation.

Macerator Pros:

• Pumps uphill easily (within manufacturers specifications)
  
• Small hose is easy to store
  
• Flexible hose easy to handle
  
• Don't need to disconnect from coach end
  
• Can keep gray tank valve open at full hookup sites
  
• Can pump over long distances with extensions
  
• Quickest setup and put away times

Macerator Cons:

• Most costly solution to purchase and install
  
• Slow dump speed.
  
• Because of the slow dump speed, a tank rinser is recommended to prevent buildup.
  
• Needs electricity
  
• Needs regular maintenance
  
• Will eventually clog up

A Macerator is the only solution for pumping uphill or over very long distances. It is the easiest device to setup and take down. It's not the best solution for guests with long hair or kids that might throw in hard objects into the toilet or drains.

Sewer Solution
The Sewer Solution is similar to a macerator but works with a water jet rather than an electric pump. As a result, no electricity is needed and the device is self rinsing. The 1 inch tubing leading from the Sewer Solution is smooth to facilitate water flow and the device is usually disconnected from the coach before traveling. By design, the gray water valve can be left open at all times so that you never worry about filling your gray tank. Cost is approximately $130

Sewer Solution Pros:

• Can pump slightly uphill
  
• Small tubing is easy to store
  
• Can pump over long distances with extensions
  
• Can keep gray tank valve open at full hookup sites
  
• The cleanest solution possible. Self cleaning
  
• Virtually odorless solution.
  
• Impervious to birds or most abrasion

Sewer Solution Cons:

• Requires a connection to a pressurized water hose to run
  
• Because of the slow dump speed, a tank rinser is recommended to prevent buildup.
  
• Slow dump speed

The Sewer Solution is the perfect solution for germaphobes and clean freaks. It is not the best solution for prolonged boondocking use where water is scarce.

I hope this is a helpful summary. Please let me know if I've missed any important points above.