RV Sewer Drain for New Shop

[GaryBDavis]

I’m building a new shop and plan to install a sewer drain for an RV. I’ve seen them at RV parks and they look pretty straight forward, but I wonder if I’m missing something – like an upstream vent stack. So far, I’m just planning for a 4” riser with a screw cap similar to a clean out. Anyone with experience putting these things in let me know if I’m on the wrong track.

BTW, I’m in an unincorporated area and there are no inspections required although I’d like to conform to code. The only inspection is for the septic system and they don’t look at the plumbing.

Thanks.

 

[Holzster]

Don't know if this helps but here is mine. I have an Arobic septic system not a standard septic because of the high clay soil here. But I talked to my septic guy that was installing it I just "T" the line to my tank up - acually it was a "Y" not a "T" so it would flow better. He stated that with my Arobic system I could put the sewage from a camper down it as long as there was no bacterial killing stuff in the tank (Just like in the house).

Since I do not use it much I out a screw type lid in it so it would seal real good & no critters could open it.

Hope this helps.

 

[EddieWalker]

Vent lines are pretty rare in RV parks for their systems. Some states require them, but the amount of discharge compared to the size of the pipes allows you to get away without having to vent it.

Since your system is tied into your home, it's already vented anyway, so don't worry about it.

Eddie

 

[Highbeam]

Plus the typical method of jambing your hose in that hole leaves a non-air-tight seal. The tanks of your RV are also vented just like the house so this connection method allows plenty of venting. Well, actually, if you close the dump valves then there is no ventilation through the RV.

 

[RobS]

I'd be more worried about the holding tank chemicals than the venting. I use the traditional "blue stuff" in our camper and apparently it is not very septic tank friendly. I do not dump our tanks into our septic, only use RV parks dumping stations. Maybe someone with more knowledge can comment but it's probably worth considering /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[GaryBDavis]

Man, you guys are fast.

I hadn't given the chemicals much thought. Heck, I don't even own an RV at this point, but want to plan for one in the future.

I've borrowed/rented RVs in the past so I know about blue stuff. I'll make sure the chemicals are flushed out of the RV holding tanks before it's hooked up to my septic system.

The RV drain will be at the upper most end of the of my sewer system piping, so I thought I might need a vent. Probably not.

Eddie Walker,
Since you are the RV park guru to be, is 4" the right size for the riser?

 

[Farwell]

Check the blue stuff and see if it is septic friendly, if not, there may be an alternative that is septic friendly. In most cases there is.
Farwell

 

[Jimbrown]

The same company that makes the blue stuff makes some greenstuff. I dump in mine all the time and have never had a problem. I would not want to put 4 or 5 loads a day in it but a load a month or so is not going to ruin your septic. I just used a standard clean out fitting when I put mine in and it works just fine. Might as well put in a 50 amp electric plug while you are doing it.

 

[Bird]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( is 4" the right size for the riser? )</font>


I'm not Eddie, but yes, that's the right size.

 

[Highbeam]

Use chemicals listed as septic safe. Or, as I did, use none at all. Tank chemicals are a controversial item in the RV world not unlike many things in the tractor world. Myself, no chemicals unless...

If I was going to be in hot weather for a long time without hookups I would use the septic safe chemical to prevent the odors from getting bad. I did not use the nasty chemicals, some of which use fermaldehyde(sp), in my tanks at all since most places you dump the tanks are still using a septic system and I didn't want to poison their system and lose the future use of it.

Always flush the tanks clean when you dump and you will be surprised how much you don't need chemicals.