Macerator pumps--how to spot one?

[coolmom42]

I plan to start looking for a used RV sometime next year. I do not need and do not want a macerator pump. They have too many problems, pull too much power, and I have a sewer cleanout at home downhill from my potential parking spot.

Many ad/pics of RVs for sale do not say or show anything about a macerator pump one way or another.

How can I tell which ones do or do not have a macerator pump? Are they standard on certain brands? Is this something I could tell by just looking at a RV from the outside?

I posted this in the class B forum because I am interested in a B/small C.

Any info appreciated.

[coolmom42]

Good to know about the curb issues, and hose replacement.

Thanks for the info, everyone.

[candlback]

I replaced my gravity dump hose several years ago and do not regret it and have had no problems with it. I tried to dump at too many places with a high curb and my Roadtrek like others is low to the ground. That stuff doesn't flow up hill.

[TinyoneRV]

Coolmon42, The macerator pump is semi-permanenty installed at the end of the 3" hose. I remove it for winter storage since some gray water is usually left in the hose and pump. Also, should it fail, I can disconnect the electricity and remove the pump and still dump without the macerator. This link may be useful


http://www.rvsani-con.com/road-trek-rvs-install.html

[My_Roadtrek]

I think most of the hose problems were with the older systems. Rt had a bad batch at one time. The biggest problem is (IMO) user error. Stuff getting dropped into the tank, and damaging the impeller, or running the pump dry. A macerator, and a gravity feed system would be a major plus for me.

[PSW]

I replaced the hose on my 2007 Roadtrek 210 one time. I bought a twenty foot hose at Lowes in the landscaping department that was designed to be used with pumps on ornamental ponds. It worked great for me and was on the rig when I sold it. Cost twenty bucks and I did the work myself. So, if you are one of those inclined to DIY go to it! The Lowes hose is not as flexible as the regulator macerator hose I suppose.

Yes, I intended that little ditty in the last sentence.

Paul

[coolmom42]

Thanks for the tips!

[nbking]

Some people on this forum have reported problems with the macerator hose. It does not last long. Replacing it is not a job for someone who is not completely familiar with them. They are costly. I paid around $80.00 and then two hours installation for a total cost of $300+. Mechanic must have been on a slow down or something.

Anyway, if you get an rv with a macerator, check the hose carefully. Adjust your price if it needs replacement. I didn't and I got stuck with the repair bill.

[Davydd]

coolmom42 wrote:
Some good points made. My big fear would be the macerator pump failing without a manual dump option, as one person commented. I can believe handling the smaller hose is easier.

Lots of Class Bs now have macerators along with an optional bayonet connection for a gravity slinky. If the macerator fails you always have the fall back. For us the macerator has proven to not only be faster to dump but also more sanitary. It is also a lot easier at those dump stations designed for bigger RVs that have those 6" high containment curbs all around the dump hole.

[lanerd]

Trackrig wrote:
I think the reason you see so few for sale adds mentioning macerator pumps is because they're not very common. I personally never met any one using one. I don't think you have to worry about it too much, but if a MH you bought did come with one, just remove it.

Bill

I'm with Bill... if you find a coach you like and it happens to have a macerator...just remove the darn thing. No big deal and you shouldn't base your choice on whether or not the coach has one.

But just look in the wet bay, if it has a small drain hose (1 inch or so), it has a macerator.

Ron

[coolmom42]

Some good points made. My big fear would be the macerator pump failing without a manual dump option, as one person commented. I can believe handling the smaller hose is easier.

[bob_nestor]

My previous RVs all had gravity dump but my current 2010 Roadtrek has a macerator pump. I thought it would be an improvement over the gravity dump systems, but now I think it's a toss-up. I've had to repair the macerator pump once already and I have the spare parts just waiting for the next time I need to do this.

On the negative side, with the macerator pump (on the Roadtrek) you can't just allow the gray water to run thru the system as you'd normally do with a gravity dump when at a site with full hookups. This can be a minor inconvenience, especially when camping with friends where the shower gets used a lot more.

On the positive side, with the macerator pump I can connect up a 3/4" hose and pump both black and gray tanks into the sewer clean out at the house. That's convenient since it means I don't have to stop at a dump station on the way home and I can really take my time flushing out the tanks when I'm dumping at home.

Having had both systems my preference for my next RV would be a gravity dump with the addition of a portable macerator pump that I could use to dump at home. I'd also want a black tank flush system - had one on a previous RV and it sure make cleaning out the black tank a heck of a lot easier and quicker.

[toedtoes]

coolmom42 wrote:

TinyoneRV wrote:
Our 04 Roadtrek came with a previously installed after market macerator. It is the one thing I would repair at nearly any cost on the RT. Convenient and clean. Don't be too quick to discount the value of a macerator.

You still have to hook up the hose at both ends, don't you?

I don't see any benefit to one unless you need to dump uphill, which I should not.

For me, I got the portable one because at my house, I have to run 30ft of hose to get to my clean out. It's not uphill, but because of the distance, and a right turn required in the hose, it was a pain. I had to run multiple hoses attached to one another, and because of the distance, the contents would end up sitting mid-hose. That meant I have to manually lift the hose at one end to push the contents through.

Suffice it to say, it was not a fun job and took 10 to 15 minutes to do.

With the macerator, I have one solid hose and a pump to push it through. I just got it and haven't yet needed to use it, but I am looking forward to it for a change.

I carry a regular dump hose in case I have to dump on the road since I won't have the distance issues then, so I only deal with the power pull when i'm home an plugged in.

[PSW]

I have now enjoyed macerators on two RVs and would be reluctant to buy a rig without one. That is just personal preference, but my three earlier RVs without a macerator were more hassle. Like Gail (above) my current unit has both systems.

With the exception of replacing a hose, I have NEVER had a problem with my pumps. And I think they are much easier and cleaner to operate than a conventional system because I am not dragging out a 4" hose and trying to fit it back into a (usually) small tube for storage on the rig. When the pump is off, it is off and no more fluids. Simply, it is easier to handle a fifteen foot one inch hose than a ten foot four inch hose. And more flexible for many campsite situations. I also carry a fifteen foot garden hose for macerator use only to give me the ability to pretty well park where I want and still reach the sewer trap in a campsite or at a dump. Thirty feet of sewer hose can be useful. Think in terms of hooking up a water hose to your rig. They are usually 25 feet long. What if they were only ten? Not too handy.

Paul

[GailS]

We have a Phoenix Cruiser 2100 which is a small Class C motor home. All their models have the Sani Con macerator system as standard equipment as well as the gravity system should you choose to use that method.

You do not have to connect the macerator hose as it is built into the system, very sanitary. I cannot speak for the portable macerators.

On our PC you do not see the macerator from the outside as it is enclosed in an outside compartment. You do see the tube where you would connect the gravity hose if you choose that mode for dumping.

We do not have a separate button on the dash like was mentioned. All our controls are in the outside compartment.

If our Sani Con system ever fails we would definitely have it repaired. One of the many benefits is being able to flush out both the grey and black tanks using the Sani Con and no messy large sewer hose to clean after every dump. We had a Class B for 10 years and just had the gravity.