Sewer Hose Storage

[ReneeG]

When we got our Bighorn, it came with what is called a sewer boom. The concept was good in that it contained the sewer hose while it was connected semi-permanently, and when you needed to dump your tanks, you simply swung it out. Problem was that you could not attach a clear short section for monitoring the emptying of your tank. So, we removed the whole thing. Then we were faced with how/where to store the hose. We kept it in a clear storage bin and that worked for awhile but it took up extra space in the storage bay. Fast forward and DH installed a storage compartment for the hose. He mounted in on the side, using black PVC piping that he drilled holes in top and bottom for air circulation and drainage. He fastened a screwed on lid on both ends, with the end closest the drain valve angled for easy removal and additional drainage. Each end cap is attached with a short chain should it come either undone by itself, we won't lose it or forget that we removed it when using it hence leaving it behind somewhere. From the angle of the photos it looks lower than the frame but in fact it isn't and is higher than the lowest point of the drain valve. It looks really sharp.

Side view:


View back to front:


View front to back:


View down low and close:

Moderator edit to re-size pictures to forum limit of 640px maximum width.

[Lantley]

I made my sewer hose carrier using 6"PVC pipe and standard fitting.
No need to fabricate anything.
The 6" diameter is large enough to hold hose with connectors attached.

I have since added a 2nd 6" pipe for fishing rods.

[ReneeG]

DH here, everything from the project came from Home Depot, 4 inch pipe, used the black glue as well so I didn't end up with purple streaks on the project. I did have to use my Dremel tool to grind off 'some' the sides of the bayonet fitting on the sewer hose, other wise it wouldn't make it through the pipe. Nice thing with the 60 degree neck on the end is keeps the end of the hose there rather than sliding in to the pipe should I not have the spare hose at the end. It is large enough to hold two hoses and the hose connector - 4 inch pipe I cut to 6 1/2 feet (don't ask me metric), I had more room I could have made it longer, but wanted to easily be able to pull hose from the other end without busting my knuckles on the landing gear. I do need to lengthen the chains by about 6 inches (right now each one is a 12 inches), has a tendency to bunch up on turning the ends, even with a slightly loose screw on them, self tapping screw here (5/8 inch) on both sides of the chain. Just make sure if you do project, you don't drill the threads the pipe goes into. Also put hose clamps on before I glued the ends. Drilled air holes on top every 10 inches - 3/4 inch bit I believe, and then two on the bottom for drain of any water at both ends.

One small correction, I did not drill the frame of the trailer, just the triangular shaped metal pieces that attach to the frame and that connect to the side of the trailer (don't ask me what they are called), picky I know, but in my mind the frame is what the body of the trailer is setting on similar to the frame on my truck - last thing I wanted to do was drill a hole there. I used a caliper to ensure all measurements were the same once I figured out where the first bracket went and just copied the dimensions to the next two brackets. Original boom configuration was in this area, so I know the area is strong to cover the weight of the entire thing plus the total weight is distributed over three points for the entire distance of the pipe so I should be fine there.

Of course it took two pairs of hands to hold it up there first, so thank heavens Renee helped position it properly.

ID Number on the bracket (hanger) if you can't tell from the picture: SIMPSON Strong-Tie A21 ESR-2523. I actually got different ones trying to figure this out, but this is the one that worked for me. Not a lot of vertical height on my configuration for the attachment so I had to go with a short side on the connection to the trailer.

Oh and just to give credit to someone, not sure who, did do some research on-line before doing the project, saw a similar sewer hose storage arrangement and just copied the idea, I think his was white, I wanted something that would disappear into the trailer if you weren't looking for it.

[nremtp143]

phenrichs wrote:

nremtp143 wrote:

I can't tell from the photo. How did you attach the top bracket? I want to do something similar to this to store my rolled up outdoor mats.

I used two C clamps to hold both of the 1"aluminum tubing to the frame and then drilled through both sections and the bottom flange of the I beam of the frame and used bolts with nylon nuts to secure them. Here is a better pic I believe.

[ReneeG]

Here are additional photos - close-ups of the mounting brackets and straps:

This view shows the three mounting brackets attached to the frame. they don't look evenly spaced at this angle but they are.



This is a close-up side view of the mounting bracket. An angle bracket was used with one side screwed to the frame using self-tapping screws. The other has a rivet through it should the muffler strap loosen, the rivet will keep it from sliding sideways and slipping off.



This is front view up close:


Another side view:

[ReneeG]

nremtp143 wrote:
Very nice work. I mounted mine across underneath cross ways, never even thought about doing it that way. Neat idea.



The bungee cord is only temporary until I can get my straps made.
I still have a 6" PVC pipe like the one you have, but I am going to mount it across underneath as well due to needing a place to put my awning poles. Love the way you put the cap chains on there. Going to use that on mine!

Good job! Yes, chains would look good on yours too, but they could rub if you secure them in the same position as your bungee cord. A good rubber strip may do it.

[ReneeG]

ccarrington99 wrote:
What did you use to connect it to the frame on the back side? Great job!

Self tapping screws to the buttress supports - I'll take a close-up tonight and post the photos.

[phenrichs]

nremtp143 wrote:

I can't tell from the photo. How did you attach the top bracket? I want to do something similar to this to store my rolled up outdoor mats.

[nremtp143]

Very nice work. I mounted mine across underneath cross ways, never even thought about doing it that way. Neat idea.



The bungee cord is only temporary until I can get my straps made.
I still have a 6" PVC pipe like the one you have, but I am going to mount it across underneath as well due to needing a place to put my awning poles. Love the way you put the cap chains on there. Going to use that on mine!

[ccarrington99]

What did you use to connect it to the frame on the back side? Great job!

[ReneeG]

downtheroad wrote:
That's a nice one...but, don't you just hate kneeling on that gravel while you do a project like that...:@

We've learned so we use an old rug or old blankets to kneel on . . . much more comfortable.

[ReneeG]

Just Jeff wrote:
Very nice! And the PVC should be strong enough to withstand any rocks the tires kick at it, too. That's one thing that concerns me about the vinyl fencepost I used...it's somewhat protected but if a big rock hits it, I might end up with a crack.

Thank you! Yes, DH thought of that too.

[downtheroad]

That's a nice one...but, don't you just hate kneeling on that gravel while you do a project like that...:@

[Just_Jeff]

Very nice! And the PVC should be strong enough to withstand any rocks the tires kick at it, too. That's one thing that concerns me about the vinyl fencepost I used...it's somewhat protected but if a big rock hits it, I might end up with a crack.

[ReneeG]

Thank you. I forgot to say that not only does it contain the hose, but a spare and the bayonet and the piece that connects the two for a longer hose.

[squeakkos]

real nice job