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ChadHubbard's avatar
ChadHubbard
Explorer
Aug 23, 2014

Move waste drain to rear of camper?

Hi All:

I have a 1998 Bigfoot 2500. I would like to be able to haul the camper without removing the tailgate. I can fabricate 'holdlers' to replace the cables, but the waste drain extends below the bottom. Has anyone moved their waste drain from a bottom dump to extend out the rear of the camper? Do the 3" and 2" drain pipes thread into the waste tanks, or are hey glued in?

thanks!

7 Replies

  • On our old camper the 3" black fitting was screwed on but the 2"gray line is glued. We take our endgate off because of the sewer lines also. Thought about trying to change ours too while working on installing new toilet/shower unit in wet bath but......as we get older and more frugal is just simpler to reconnect what's already there. Gates and valves would be easier to winter proof if they were enclosed in the rear side compartment the 2" line runs through but adequate slope gets to be an issue. Guess of it ain't really broke we won't "fix" it. And in my DH's mind if it moves an inch it ain't broke.
  • thanks for all the replies.

    I realize the tailgate cables will interfere, I will fabricate an 'L' bracket to replace the cables.

    thanks again. This is a 'must do' to keep the camper. My wife and I struggle removing / installing the tailgate. It is heavy and awkward, and has a wiring harness for the camera. We will not only damage it eventually handling it, but also likely to drop on our feet. Would rather have the paint chipped than a corner of the tailgate in one of our feet.

    When I do the project I will post some pics in hopes it can help or inspire the next camper.
  • You can't run with the tailgate on anyway.

    The bump-out for the rear storage compartments interferes with the tailgate support cables.
  • I can't answer the question but to Bob's point about tailgate damage, when I had my short bed I never removed the tailgate when hauling the TC. Now that I have a long box I remove it when loading the TC, I have far more damage on the tailgate from taking it on and off then I ever did from driving the SB with it down.
  • Calling Bigfoot MFG. for specific info might your best bet. 1 1/2" NPT as far as I know can be installed both ways , threaded or glued.

    I would ask them if that camper bottom would be stressed by having a tailgate in place.

    I would think the tailgate would get banged up from rear wheel road debris, expect that to happen.

    If you go ahead with the project , I have some info in my folder , not specific to BF but might offer you some "hey I didn't think of that info" .

    http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/22398838/print/true.cfm

    good luck, Bob
  • All RVs and truck campers I have seen, they are glued in. If you look closely at the fittings you will probably see some glue oozed out when the pipes were glues and fitted together.