My RV is approx 40' from nearest sewer cleanout. If I redo my driveway i may consider trenching a line for a cleanout to attach to my sewer for easy dump but that is not happening soon. My question is...if using a macro jet type cleanout system with a garden hose....is it as good as a 3" dump valve into a 3" Sewer? In other words, for drawing the solids with head pressure into a 3" cleanout vs opening a 3" valve to a garden hose garbage disposal to spit the waste through a garden hose to a cleanout.....which is the better cleanup for the black tank itself? Does the "jet" vacume anything or is head pressure best for removing the larger solids?

3" is best, 3/4" garden hose is for when nothing else works. You will get little cleaning from anything attached to the outlet, so get a wand to stick down the toilet.

I see no difference,......I do know that a macerator pump on the dump fitting thru a 3/4 garden hose works very good, and then a couple bowls full of water run thru, I don't see a 3" dump working any better. And the best part, if you drive much distance before dumping, you don't have to worry about cleaning the tank,.....it will be clean no matter how you dump.

It's easier for me to hook up the macerator rather than string sewer hoses together at home. But for the black tank I use a toilet wand with the pump running to thoroughly clean the tank.Caution - Flojet pumps don't like to be run dry.

There are a variety of products that you can put in your black tank that will dissolve the solids.Jerry Parr

I have a portable Flojet Macerator .....use it to pump black & grey 75' with a 2' rise to sisters house cleanoutTakes 10 minutes for black...10 minute cool down---15 minute grey then couple minutes of rinse water thru pump and 3/4" discharge hoseBeen using it since 2008Not too concerned with the 'cleanliness' of WASTE Tanks ---they get dirty next time you use themAfter dumping I add 2 full toilet bowl flushes and 2 sink full back into the tanks so bottom stays wet...anything left behind stays wet and doesn't stickHaven't had a clog/plugged up toilet/waste tank in all the years of camping/RVngLiquid to solid ratio is the key.Folks are way to OCD about RV waste tanks.........probably don't think twice about the same plumbing system in their S&Bs :S

Black tank stuff | Good Sam Community

11 Replies

dunerunnerjw
Explorer
Jul 23, 2019
Thanks all......some great points!!!!!!
mtofell1
Explorer
Jul 22, 2019
LOVE my macerator system for a lot of reasons. First and foremost I don't have to EVER touch or wrestle with a "stinky slinky" again. Having spent years doing it both ways I see no major difference with tank cleanliness. My current 5th wheel didn't drain great before or with the macerator so I often just leave my outdoor kitchen sink faucet running when dumping (it drains to my black tank) and cycle my macerator on/off a few times at 3-4 minute intervals to float all the stuff off the bottom of the tank.

There are a lot of other benefits to the macerator system as well. When camping I usually just hookup the 3/4" hose and leave my gray water open and that's all I need to deal with until I get home. No more waiting in line at the dump station, no more insisting the kids "hold it" all the way home. Of course, these things have more to do with just coming up with a way to empty at home but for me the macerator is just a really nice overall option. I'd still use it if I had a 3" cleanout in my driveway. It's just so much cleaner and easier.
TurnThePage
Explorer
Jul 22, 2019
Right now I run about 50' of hoses strung together. It works fine, but is getting old. A macerator is probably in my future.
ependydad
Explorer
Jul 22, 2019
mbopp wrote:
It's easier for me to hook up the macerator rather than string sewer hoses together at home. But for the black tank I use a toilet wand with the pump running to thoroughly clean the tank.
Caution - Flojet pumps don't like to be run dry.

This is what I do. Either wand or the black tank flush.
DFord
Explorer
Jul 21, 2019
pianotuna wrote:
Go the macerator path.

X2!

Just hook a macerator pump to the dump valve and connect a 3/4" garden hose to it. Then stick the end of the hose down a drain and secure it there before you turn the pump on. Works great!
pianotuna
Nomad III
Jul 21, 2019
Go the macerator path.
Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
Jul 21, 2019
I have a portable Flojet Macerator .....use it to pump black & grey 75' with a 2' rise to sisters house cleanout

Takes 10 minutes for black...10 minute cool down---15 minute grey then couple minutes of rinse water thru pump and 3/4" discharge hose

Been using it since 2008

Not too concerned with the 'cleanliness' of WASTE Tanks ---they get dirty next time you use them
After dumping I add 2 full toilet bowl flushes and 2 sink full back into the tanks so bottom stays wet...anything left behind stays wet and doesn't stick

Haven't had a clog/plugged up toilet/waste tank in all the years of camping/RVng
Liquid to solid ratio is the key.

Folks are way to OCD about RV waste tanks.........probably don't think twice about the same plumbing system in their S&Bs :S
Flute_Man
Explorer
Jul 21, 2019
There are a variety of products that you can put in your black tank that will dissolve the solids.

Jerry Parr
mbopp
Explorer
Jul 21, 2019
It's easier for me to hook up the macerator rather than string sewer hoses together at home. But for the black tank I use a toilet wand with the pump running to thoroughly clean the tank.
Caution - Flojet pumps don't like to be run dry.
RJsfishin
Explorer
Jul 21, 2019
I see no difference,......I do know that a macerator pump on the dump fitting thru a 3/4 garden hose works very good, and then a couple bowls full of water run thru, I don't see a 3" dump working any better. And the best part, if you drive much distance before dumping, you don't have to worry about cleaning the tank,.....it will be clean no matter how you dump.