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Sewer Connection

Yahoo Message Number: 86941
Our sewer connection is inside the bay where the fresh water and other items connect. In order to connect to the sewer and close the bay door I have to route the hose through a 8"+/- hole in the bottom of the bay. The access hole is covered by a screw on cover when not in use. I am sure this is a standard setup on many CC coaches.
I don't like all of the open space around the access hole for worry of critters using this as a route into the bay. What I would like to do is have the connection re plumbed to mount the connection permanently below the bay with only a small additional hole for a fresh water hose.
Has anyone done such a modification? If so I would like to see a photo or two.

Thanks

Norm 2004 Intrigue #11773

Re: Sewer Connection

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 86942
To make my life simpler I added a 45 degree extension to the dump pipe. I have only had to stuff material around the hose once in all the years of travel. If insects are a problem then keeping the power cord and water hose off the ground and spraying insecticide around the drain hose and tires has worked successfully for 25 years. If its varmints, leveling from the top down and stuffing material around the hose exit has worked. The airstream being so much closer to the ground and touching the ground at 11 points was always of more concern. We have only had ants once with the 98 Allure, but it was a continuous problem with the Airstream. Leaf Hoppers have been the only issue with 2004 Intrigue. And it took 4 or 5 days of very cold weather with the unit winterized to finally get the last of those prolific critters. Insecticide just held them at bay and below the floor line. TWI

Re: Sewer Connection

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 86946
I use one of those large foam bone shaped thingies that one uses for washing the car etc. I hook up and jamb one of those in around the hoses. Do the same with the power cord outlet. Easy and cheap.

Bruce

2001 Intrigue #11278

Re: Sewer Connection

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 86963
I use a piece of foam board (the kind used on side of homes) and cut it out in two halves so it can wedge it around hoses and any cables. I have also used a piece of a kid's swimming noodle. I usually do not stay in one place too long to worry about it except when staying in wooded or grassy areas. So far, no problems.

Jim Hughes

2000 Allure #30511

Re: Sewer Connection

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 86965
Hi Norm, no matter what you do, don't add any plumbing below the level of the bottom of the compartment. my coach was built 9 units before yours and believe me you do not want to reduce the ground clearance. We find it unnecessary to leave the sewer hose connected continuously, since it is better to dump only when the tanks are close to full. Just sayin'...
Jim & Liz (and Raffles & Zabrina, our two Country Coach cats).
42' Intrigue Ovation #11764.

[size=75%]Sent from my Verizon Wireless 4G LTE Smartphone[/size]

Re: Sewer Connection

Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 87018
Thanks for all of the suggestions. My main concern about critters was larger ones like mice and pack rats. Normally we are not hooked up for any length of time but when we do I was looking for some options.
I think the simplest thing is to stuff a water noodle around the hole.

Again, thank you all for the many suggestions.

Norm 2004 Intrigue #11773

Re: Sewer Connection

Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 87030
I purchased a spare 8" cover and cut a 3 and 1/4 hole with a hole saw. The hose slips through the hole tightly enough that it prevents rodents from entering. Same for the smaller cover except I cut two holes one for fresh water and one for black water rinse hose.

Dan 2006 Allure 31348

Sewer connection

Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 86952
I believe your assessment is correct; this is the traditional RV sewer hose connection method.

I have found another solution to this problem, which never requires you to open that "bay hole." I purchased a Thetford Sani-con macerator and made a (relatively) permanent connection to the black and gray water outlet. I ran a wire from it to an unused terminal on the fuse panel (20amps). The Thetford macerator will even pump uphill and over long distances (we often head into sites that are designed for backing into).
One of the joys of this arrangement is that it allows us to use gray water to help flush the black water tank (equalization of water levels in the two tanks causes a back-flush into the black tank from the gray, helping to further rinse it). The macerator uses a 1" hose, which is easily stored in the bay when the dump is finished (along with its screw-on dump connector), and ergo the 3" hose is a thing of the past.
Cost? Around $500. Is it worth it? As discredited politician from Alaska once said, "You betcha."

Ken Harrison

2004 Allure #31035