Municipal Sewer Cleanout Design for RV Dumping

[jimmoore13]

We are about to move to a new home on a municipal sewer. (We currently have a septic, and I have a manhole cover, so I just pop the manhole cover and dump straight into the input side of the baffle.)

I am considering installing a dedicated "cleanout" for dumping the RV's black and grey tanks.

Is there a design that is known to work well? For example would it make sense to tap into the main line, add a backflow preventer and then a Tee upstream of the backflow preventer and branch off to the cleanout line? (I'd hate to have sewage gushing out of the cleanout if the main sewer was plugged or damaged.) And then should I add a trap in the cleanout line or should it be a straight shot? Are there traps in each sewer hookup line at RV parks?

I was envisioning a line that emerges near my parking spot and is capped off with an RV park style cover so I don't need to do much more than pop open the lid, add the dump hose elbow and stinky slinky, then let 'er rip. I liberally rinse my tanks...both down the toilet and using the black tank flush, so I'd be using plenty of city water in conjunction with the dump...for fairness in billing.

Anyway, any thoughts on this would be helpful. I searched the forums and didn't see anything that really spoke to design.

[Cabinfever97]

When we built our house 5 years ago we added a clean out that would be easy to access from where the TT parks. It ties into the sewer just outside the foundation wall. It is a clean out, always will be. You can not have a RV dump on the sewer line here.

[Chuck_S]

I just pump into the toilet just off my garage. It's more convenient than the sanitary sewer cleanout in the middle of my lawn where I'd still need the pump to get out there.

-- Chuck

[robo44]

Originally Posted by Chuck_S

I just pump into the toilet just off my garage. It's more convenient than the sanitary sewer cleanout in the middle of my lawn where I'd still need the pump to get out there.

-- Chuck

OK for curiosity, and pictures? Just what kind of set up allows you to pump from your RV Tank to your toilet? Ive had the pleasure of seeing one of those Honey Wagons, but your home set up sounds interesting

[NavyLCDR]

Originally Posted by robo44

OK for curiosity, and pictures? Just what kind of set up allows you to pump from your RV Tank to your toilet? Ive had the pleasure of seeing one of those Honey Wagons, but your home set up sounds interesting

You need a macerator pump:
https://www.amazon.com/Flojet-185550.../dp/B001HKZHIW

You can get more permanent macerator pumps, this is just an example. You do need to check your local ordinances. In most places your sewer bill is related to your city water bill and it is more than likely illegal to dump your RV tanks into the sewer line of your house.

[robo44]

Originally Posted by NavyLCDR

You need a macerator pump:
https://www.amazon.com/Flojet-185550.../dp/B001HKZHIW

You can get more permanent macerator pumps, this is just an example. You do need to check your local ordinances. In most places your sewer bill is related to your city water bill and it is more than likely illegal to dump your RV tanks into the sewer line of your house.

Duh - okay I got it thanks!

[clhjsh]

On sewer it is not a backflow preventor it is called a backwater valve. Your idea is good but don’t let the sewer company see it. Typically the sewer rate is based on how much water you use since typically what goes in must go out minus a factor for irrigation water, they deduct based upon winter water use vs summer water use.

[Chuck_S]

Not my video but this describes the general operation. 5/8" hose from the trailer to the toilet -- tied to the toilet you don't want this thing getting out of control!

I power this directly from the trailer's 12v system dropping a wire connector right next to the sewer outlet.

The clear elbow adds to the entertainment factor.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjVoIauPn3o

-- Chuck

[NavyLCDR]

The macerator pump would be handy at Ainsworth State Park in Oregon. At the dump station there the road is downhill from the dump station inlet! I'm thinking, really?!? You expect me to dump my tanks uphill?

[MtBiker]

We had a cleanout port on our driveway with an 8" or 10" round concrete cap. Inside was a 4" threaded plug in the end of the pipe. We used a Camco threaded end on our stinky slinky and just let loose.

[rk06382]

Originally Posted by NavyLCDR

You need a macerator pump:
https://www.amazon.com/Flojet-185550.../dp/B001HKZHIW

You can get more permanent macerator pumps, this is just an example. You do need to check your local ordinances. In most places your sewer bill is related to your city water bill and it is more than likely illegal to dump your RV tanks into the sewer line of your house.

If I can fill my fresh water tanks at home, then I can dump at home.

I bought a Flojet 'clone' Amarine Made 12V Self-priming RV Macerator Pump for $70.

Here are pictures of my macerator setup. I have a short clear hose after pump before the 3/4" hose. The clear elbows allow me to know when the lines are flushed out. I also use an air compressor to push all water out of the hose.

Pictures taken Oct 19, 2020 after back-flushing the lines.



I also have a clear elbow at the cleanout pipe. I put the original 5" cleanout cap back on when I was done.

[Witch Doctor]

Originally Posted by NavyLCDR

You need a macerator pump:
https://www.amazon.com/Flojet-185550.../dp/B001HKZHIW

You can get more permanent macerator pumps, this is just an example. You do need to check your local ordinances. In most places your sewer bill is related to your city water bill and it is more than likely illegal to dump your RV tanks into the sewer line of your house.

this true in my Town , big fine if you get caught here. So check your ordinance before you try.

[Stormy Dayton]

I've been dumping into a 4' clean out next to the drive for years, no problem. . . I can let gravity do the work ! !

[mlmay12]

Originally Posted by Stormy Dayton

I've been dumping into a 4' clean out next to the drive for years, no problem. . . I can let gravity do the work ! !

I use a Valtera SewerSolution from Amazon and dump into a 4 inch sewer cleanout in my garage floor. works flawlessly.

[lorenc]

I burned up two 12 volt macerators so I went with a 110 volt garbage disposer, Works great lots of you tube videos on how to do it.

[Buster Rockwood]

I agree with Stormy.
Been building in the Dayton Ohio area for 40 plus years and have added an outdoor cleanout tee just for this purpose for a number of clients.
Typically place them next to the driveway so access is clean and easy.
Let gravity do the work!

[jimmoore13]

Thanks everyone. Great info. I mentioned I'm moving so time on the computer is very limited. Will need to investigate what's at my new house and go from there. It's 6 hours away, so I won't know for a few weeks.