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Macerator question

AAFD
Explorer
Explorer
Wife and I are looking at smaller RV for our next purchase. Some of these units have a Macerator some have them as options. Are they worth it? I know macerator pump up hill but what are the other goods and bad? Thanks

KC
2015 Thor Challenger 37KT
Towed Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk
FMCA member
22 REPLIES 22

lanerd
Explorer II
Explorer II
We had a factory installed Sani-con in our last coach and while it was convenient to use and stored in much less space, I found that it required periodical maintenance to keep it running efficiently. At least once a year it had to be removed, disassembled and cleaned out. Hair would wrap around the blade shaft and on two occasions I had to replace the plastic (?) impeller. Dumping time required five to ten minutes to empty and clean both tanks...kinda a downer when it was raining.

However, on the plus side it provided the capability to use the gray water to flush out the black tank...really handy! Using it at home allowed me to pump the tanks to our sewer clean out opening about 75 feet away. While on the road, it was simple to use, just pull it out and stick it in the sewer opening.

Our new coach came with the standard stinky slinky and while it does take up more space, it requires much less (if no) maintenance and will empty both tanks in a couple of minutes.

I removed the Sani-con from our old coach when we traded in so that I could use it at home, and thought seriously about using both in the new coach. Eventually, I decided that we really didn't need it, and I leave it at home.

Hope this helps

Ron
Ron & Sandie
2013 Tiffin Phaeton 42LH Cummins ISL 400hp
Toad: 2011 GMC Terrain SLT2
Tow Bar: Sterling AT
Toad Brakes: Unified by U.S. Gear
TPMS: Pressure Pro
Member of: GS, FMCA, Allegro


RETIRED!! How sweet it is....

Bob_Olallawa
Explorer
Explorer
You need to clean hair from the shaft regardless if it is long or short, maybe more often with long hair. I have a portable Sanicon for the travel trailer. Nice to have when you need to empty a tank and are not near the sewer pipe.
Welcome to my home, that door you just broke down was there for your protection not mine.

Bumpyroad
Explorer
Explorer
I find a macerator or sewer solution to be much cleaner to handle than a stinky slinky. easy to rinse out the garden hose instead of a SS holding 2 cups of water in the corrugations. easier to store than a SS. I have never considered tank dumping to be a competitive/timed sport but then I spring for a FHU site every third night so I can do this at my convenience. rarely if ever use a public dump.
bumpy

Rollnhome
Explorer
Explorer
I have a Sani-Con permanent mounted macerator. However I can unhook the 3" hose going from the standard RV hookup (twist lock) to the macerator and hook up a regular gravity feed slinky type hose to the RV connection. I mostly use the standard slinky hose. It is nice to have the macerator when I need it, but it is slow to dump and doesn't allow me to flush the tank as well.
2008 Discovery 40X towing a Jeep Grand Cherokee

AAFD
Explorer
Explorer
My wife has very long hair, is there any issue with the macerator getting clogged up?
2015 Thor Challenger 37KT
Towed Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk
FMCA member

pugslyyy
Explorer
Explorer
We have a macerator permanently attached to our rig. I really like the flexibility of being able to dump the tanks without being directly next to where I'm dumping.

I have a sewer cleanout in my yard that I dump to when I'm at my house - and I've done this several times when visiting relatives, etc. You can also dump into toilets, etc but where there is a toilet there's usually a cleanout somewhere close by outside so that can be easier.

Downside is that it takes longer to dump the tank, is another thing to break, etc.

sjholt
Explorer
Explorer
I resisted for years about buying a Macerator. Then all the places/states started closing them and that left one place to dump in my area and when I go to there- there was always a line of old timers there that farted around forever to dump.
I did find a web site that would sell just the pump and I put together one.
Now I can park in my own driveway and pump into my sewer system.
Skip
1996 32' Monaco Windsor DP
Cummins 5.9L 230+ HP
5 Airbags in front- 4 in back

RoyB
Explorer II
Explorer II
One plus is you can park in your kids driveway when visiting and run the hose into their bathroom window and pump down their toilet... Might take some coordination when to turn it ON and OFF...

I have seen some guys have a waste tank tote sitting empty in the back of their truck and can can pump their waste into that and tie off high and then drive off to the dump station and drop the hose into that and let gravity feed empty the tank.

Just a couple of ideas that come to mind...

Roy Ken
My Posts are IMHO based on my experiences - Words in CAPS does not mean I am shouting
Roy - Carolyn
RETIRED DOAF/DON/DOD/CONTR RADIO TECH (42yrs)
K9PHT (Since 1957) 146.52M
2010 F150, 5.4,3:73 Gears,SCab
2008 Starcraft 14RT EU2000i GEN
2005 Flagstaff 8528RESS