How to Empty Tanks if Macerator Fails on Class B RVs Without Gravity Dump

[booster]

I find the discussion pretty interesting, especially since all this got hashed out over 10 years ago on this forum. At that time many of us thought that backup gravity dump was going to be common on new vans going forward. The Roadtrek Zion got one just after (I am pretty sure) the work we were doing on here got going well.

Zion dumping link

As it turns out, we pretty much never heard anything much about customers thinking it was a good idea or worth paying for and I don't think there were any others done that way on new vans.

My bet is that most of the folks on here or on the Roadtrek Facebook sites have ever even heard about the Zion setup back then.

Currently, I think the most common "fix" used by those that do worry about it is to carry a spare pump all the time. Of course they have to find someone willing to do the very messy job of replacing it while on a trip.

Personally, I agree with what is being said about it being foolish to trust a trip to a macerator pump completely, and we don't do that by having the backup dump. That said, we also have never had a macerator fail yet, but we probably will someday.

 

[JeffGalan]

Thanks for the link. Nice they put in that 3” backup in the Zion. Maybe they listened to you here in this forum!

Supposedly like I said they are adding one on to my Axion rv today before I get it. But I don’t think it’s an easy job as they think. We’ll see.

If there’s some reason this can’t be done I said put in a new pump and it’s encouraging you wrote that one hasn’t failed yet but there’s always the chance

 

[LimboMan]

I wanted to clarify to those in the thread that urine in the black tank is considered "black water" with its associated dumpling requirements / restrictions.

 

[LimboMan]

I wanted to clarify to those in the thread that urine in the black tank is considered "black water" with its associated dumpling requirements / restrictions.

As a macerator -only owner as well, I also recommend spinning the motor regularly, if not actively traveling.

 

[JeffGalan]

As a macerator -only owner as well, I also recommend spinning the motor regularly, if not actively traveling.

Good tip. I used do that with all my RV equipment but now FT so they get use.

 

[JeffGalan]

Well the dealer tore out the macerator and put in a regular gravity dump.

Next will be the toilet macerator that I was unaware of but doesn’t work as well.

Can a regular toilet be put in its place. Don’t like this one because is not working and how to get all that number one from the toilet out?

 

[jjrbus]

Reminds me I need to order a new dump hose. I built a bus conversion with regular dump and macerator. I lived in the RV for 10 years and only used the macerator a hand full of times. Prefer the big hose.

 

[JeffGalan]

Reminds me I need to order a new dump hose. I built a bus conversion with regular dump and macerator. I lived in the RV for 10 years and only used the macerator a hand full of times. Prefer the big hose.

I think they are silly. I have no use for them ESPECIALLY that’s there is no backup to dump. Maybe if there’s the macerator AND a backup but not just solely macerators.

 

[Roadfossil]

Timely re-hash of topic. FWIW, I have my 13C190P in the shop as we speak for a preventive macerator replacement. I've been toting the replacement pump around for a couple years, but decided it wasn't worth the worry and will rest easily with the replacement installed. Hope it lasts for another 13 years.

 

[JeffGalan]

Timely re-hash of topic. FWIW, I have my 13C190P in the shop as we speak for a preventive macerator replacement. I've been toting the replacement pump around for a couple years, but decided it wasn't worth the worry and will rest easily with the replacement installed. Hope it lasts for another 13 years.

13 years is a nice run. Hopefully longer even!

Question: Do you think they will last longer if only fluids are put in there and no paper or waste?

I always made it a habit to use the RV restroom to avoid that in tank

And now the unit I bought has the combo black/grey tank so even more a reason. Thanks

 

[booster]

We also try to limit solids in the black tank, and it is not all that difficult most of the time. We haven't had a failure to this point.

Actually, I think a combo tank will do better than separate tanks in handling solids as it gives a higher liquid to solids ratio and probably also includes so soap to help clean things.

 

[youngnretired]

We also have a rule where we try to limit the solids in the tank when reasonably possible. Driving on the highway with bathroom stops and rv parks/campgrounds during the day/evening, we use other facilities, but overnight we'll use it.

 

[Boxster1971]

Well the dealer tore out the macerator and put in a regular gravity dump.

Next will be the toilet macerator that I was unaware of but doesn’t work as well.

Can a regular toilet be put in its place. Don’t like this one because is not working and how to get all that number one from the toilet out?

Depends on where the toilet is located. Macerator toilets are needed if toilet is not located on top of the black tank.

 

[JeffGalan]

Depends on where the toilet is located. Macerator toilets are needed if toilet is not located on top of the black tank.

Depends on where the toilet is located. Macerator toilets are needed if toilet is not located on top of the black tank.

Depends on where the toilet is located. Macerator toilets are needed if toilet is not located on top of the black tank.

That makes sense. Thank you.
The rv tech that took out the other macerator said there’s no macerator in the toilet. “Your toilet is over the black tank”. Well he was wrong on that there’s no macerator especially when I flushed it lol. Anyways I went under the Carado and saw this right below the toilet area so I’m guessing it’s the tank?

Also there’s a sink above the toilet that goes right down and also a shower drain directly right of the toilet so I’m thinking it’s above the toilet. Here’s pic