Everybody's Favorite RV Toy
Sewer hoses: Not something with a lot of glory. It's a lot more fun to go shopping for something with a little more bling--laptop computer maybe. But those things which have, "a purpose lacking honor," namely sewer hoses, are still a necessary thing.
The other day we found ourselves in a commercial RV park (something that rarely happens) with a full set of tanks. I'm embarrassed to relate however, that not only were those tanks full--the gray water was very full. Call it 2" of standing water in the shower. Sad to say, the layout of the site didn't allow my 10' hose to reach the port, so we called on a friend to bring his l-o-n-g ranger hose over. With everything in place, I pulled the lever for black water, and quicker than you can miss a freeway exit, that horrific stuff was squirting out of a series of pinholes in the hose.
We quickly revaluated the situation, and decided it would be best to simply "offload" enough of the gray water to safely pull the rig within our 10' hose range. After all, I was afraid the minute I put the throttle down, all that smelly gray water would slosh throughout the bathroom. When we got our own hose hooked up, I again started after that old black water tank. This time the evil stuff made its way out of our hose. Fortunately by cramming the hose together and holding it carefully (with neoprene gloves) we were able to contain the stuff to the inside of the hose, but it was touch and go.
The upshot of this wet and windy story is this: It doesn't seem to matter what "grade" of sewer hose you buy, sooner or later, the thing will give up the ghost and leave you wading around in unwholesome liquids. Experience does teach us that the less money you spend on your hose, the sooner you'll be looking for another one. We bought a "single wall" budget hose for a trailer used for a week every few months. In less than the first week, the thing could have been used for irrigating the lawn. On the other hand, our "triple wrapped" expensive hose that gave up the other day has lasted a couple of years of fairly frequent service. My friend's "no wires" hose too, lasted far longer than the cheapies.
Over the years we've struggled with the sewer hose question. At one point we went to an industrial hose supplier and bought a length of "self flattening" fire hose, put fittings on it, and hoped the thing would be just the ticket. After all, self flattening hoses roll up tight, and this we figured would save lots of space. Save lots of space it did. The trouble is the outfall of sewage just didn't provide enough pressure to "unflatten" the hose more than a few inches. Boy was that ever a mess! Sewer hoses are like members of the opposite sex: Can't live with 'em, Can't live without 'em.
The other day we found ourselves in a commercial RV park (something that rarely happens) with a full set of tanks. I'm embarrassed to relate however, that not only were those tanks full--the gray water was very full. Call it 2" of standing water in the shower. Sad to say, the layout of the site didn't allow my 10' hose to reach the port, so we called on a friend to bring his l-o-n-g ranger hose over. With everything in place, I pulled the lever for black water, and quicker than you can miss a freeway exit, that horrific stuff was squirting out of a series of pinholes in the hose.
We quickly revaluated the situation, and decided it would be best to simply "offload" enough of the gray water to safely pull the rig within our 10' hose range. After all, I was afraid the minute I put the throttle down, all that smelly gray water would slosh throughout the bathroom. When we got our own hose hooked up, I again started after that old black water tank. This time the evil stuff made its way out of our hose. Fortunately by cramming the hose together and holding it carefully (with neoprene gloves) we were able to contain the stuff to the inside of the hose, but it was touch and go.
The upshot of this wet and windy story is this: It doesn't seem to matter what "grade" of sewer hose you buy, sooner or later, the thing will give up the ghost and leave you wading around in unwholesome liquids. Experience does teach us that the less money you spend on your hose, the sooner you'll be looking for another one. We bought a "single wall" budget hose for a trailer used for a week every few months. In less than the first week, the thing could have been used for irrigating the lawn. On the other hand, our "triple wrapped" expensive hose that gave up the other day has lasted a couple of years of fairly frequent service. My friend's "no wires" hose too, lasted far longer than the cheapies.
Over the years we've struggled with the sewer hose question. At one point we went to an industrial hose supplier and bought a length of "self flattening" fire hose, put fittings on it, and hoped the thing would be just the ticket. After all, self flattening hoses roll up tight, and this we figured would save lots of space. Save lots of space it did. The trouble is the outfall of sewage just didn't provide enough pressure to "unflatten" the hose more than a few inches. Boy was that ever a mess! Sewer hoses are like members of the opposite sex: Can't live with 'em, Can't live without 'em.
Labels: dump stations, holding tank, sewer hoses
posted by Russ and Tiña De Maris at
8:53 AM
10 Comments:
I remember a time in MT-- stayed at my brothers for about a week. Both tanks (gray and black) filled. Went to a RV park to dump. Couldn't reach dump- so hooked 2nd hose up. About half-way through dump-- hose seperated--result about 15-20 gal of black stuff spewed out-- I found myself standing in it about a ft deep! Ended up spending an hour cleaning up mess-- had to toss shoes, socks, and pants in the trash! UG
G
By
Anonymous, at 4:24 AM
We use a "Sewer Solution" system to dump our holding tanks. Very clean and neat and easy to use. You can add 1" pvc pipe to shoot sewage 100' or more. Cost a few bucks at first but well worth it. We have been using ours for over a year with no problems. We do not understand why so many people continue to use the "slinky" hoses when something like the "Sewer Solution" makes this task sooooo much easier.
By
Anonymous, at 6:45 AM
We suffered the sewer hose follies for years,too. My worst was when the weed eater ate holes in a new very expensive high quality hose, the first week we used it.
NOW, we use a Sewer Solution, have used the same hose since March,2003. It is slower, but I have more time than money. Very little or no mess. Ten foot extension hose is less expensive than a new slinky hose. I have hooked to a 1 1/4" pvc running 210' to a sewer cleanout, no leaks, stayed that way for 3 months helping build house.
By
RonR, at 7:39 AM
I would appreciate knowing where you bought "SEWER SOLUTION"!
Hope answer will be allowed here
By
itshelen, at 8:28 AM
Sewer Solution can be found at Camping World or online. Try their website http://www.sewersolution.com/ to learn more. We bought ours online at lower price - factory second. Asked for extra adapters and they sent them free. The little pipe fits 1" pvc which you can buy at places like Home Depot to extend the distance you can dump. Heavy duty hose could last forever. Neat and very easy to use.
By
Anonymous, at 9:12 AM
Get rid of the black water tank entirely and install an incinolet. The space and weight used for the tank & plumbing can be better used for something else. Black water tanks are stone age technology.
By
Anonymous, at 10:44 AM
Sewer Solution about $100 - incinolet about $1,600 or more - like apples to oranges.
By
Anonymous, at 3:23 PM
After a few experimentsl trips (8 yrs ago) with our first RV (trailer) we decided that one thing that had to go was that s****y hose. Ripped out the toilet, put in a portable toilet. It slides out of a base cabinet when needed, is otherwise out of the way and out of sight. Sure, we have to empty it more often than the usual blackwater tank--but we can empty it in a gas station restroom, a rustic pit toilet, a standard campground hookup...and at home! When/if it breaks down we could replace the whole thing inexpensively. We never handle or store a blackwater hose. The blackwater system is the worst-concieved (awkward, expensive, unsanitary, wasteful of space and with specialized, restrictive emptying requirements) and worst-engineered (a sewer hose with a CORRUGATED interior???--and they leak/break on a regular basis) of all the RV systems. DUMP THE DUMP! (Usual discalimer: no connection, sewer or financial, with any relevant mfr.)
By
Anonymous, at 7:02 PM
I agree with 7:02 Pm. The conventional black water tank is a hassle.
Using a portable toilet is more convenient, especially in a boondocking-type situation. It reduces your dependance on dump stations. Just dump it into the nearest "non-flushing" toilet or gas station. You can take it into town without moving the whole rig. But, never just dump it out on the ground.
Dumping grey water is more controversial. Some people do it in a boondocking situation, and others strictly use a dump station. In a few states it is legally required that you use a dump station for grey water, while other places it is accepted practice to just make sure it is dumped out beyond the edge of the campsite. This decision can also depend on whether your "grey" water is mostly clear, or contains a lot of food particles, etc.
By
Anonymous, at 7:44 AM
I had a look at the sewer solution and it appears that you need to have a tap you can connect the jet hose to. We have only been to sani station with short hoses with no connectors on them.
By
Michelle, at 4:52 PM
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