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Flostream66 · 05-15-2021, 06:58 AM

I have a septic system right next to where I store my trailer. It has two sewer manhole covers, neither of which have a smaller hole that would allow for an RV dump without having to remove the whole cover - which is not an option for me [manhole cover is too heavy].

Does anyone know of a manufacturer of a manhole cover that has a built in port for RV dumping? I'd sure like to avoid the lines at the end of the weekend!

Peter417 · 05-15-2021, 07:13 AM

When we did our septic we put a clean out between the tank and the house. It works perfect and I rarely dump at the park.

My big cover is plastic. Is yours?

GetawA-S · 05-15-2021, 08:21 AM

Peter’s idea is sound. I use the clean out at our house to dump a tote at the end of a trip.
Every house has a clean out. You just need to find it.

centennialman · 05-15-2021, 08:24 AM

We just had major plumbing work done at our home. I had the plumbers install a clean out right next to where I park the Airstream. It's so nice to have it available to use after a trip, when wanting to do extra cleaning of the tank etc...

Without knowing the specifics of your particular sewer fitting, it's hard to say what you should use but, you can google sewer clean out fittings as a start...there are lots of options. I hope this helps.

centennialman · 05-15-2021, 08:27 AM

.... and here is something I just found when I googled Manhole Spill Covers....this may be an option....https://www.johnwkennedyco.com/buy/p...overs/dept-2VK

**jcanavera** · 05-15-2021, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GetawA-S

Peter’s idea is sound. I use the clean out at our house to dump a tote at the end of a trip.
Every house has a clean out. You just need to find it.

I wish that were true. Building codes in the St. Louis suburbs don't require a clean out. Quite honestly it was the biggest mistake I made when I had this house built. I wish I would have had one put in at that time 37 years ago.....although I probably would have needed a 40' drain hose to reach from my driveway to the location of where the clean out would have been located.

Jack

uncle_bob · 05-15-2021, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jcanavera

I wish that were true. Building codes in the St. Louis suburbs don't require a clean out. Quite honestly it was the biggest mistake I made when I had this house built. I wish I would have had one put in at that time 37 years ago.....although I probably would have needed a 40' drain hose to reach from my driveway to the location of where the clean out would have been located.

Jack

Hi

One possible answer would be to install a clean out next to the stuff you already have. It may be easier / quicker / cheaper than mucking with weird covers. A call to the local plumber probably would answer the "how much?" question.

Bob

JunkYard · 05-15-2021, 10:25 AM

Get a hole saw and one of those expanding plugs for when not in use. I use a macerator a hundred foot hose and go uphill 6-7 feet. It’s great! There isn’t any good dump stations near me. I do it a couple days after our trip.

Silvr_Bullet · 05-15-2021, 10:31 AM

Call the person you use to pump your septic, he’s the person that can help you best.

ITSNO60 · 05-15-2021, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JunkYard

Get a hole saw and one of those expanding plugs for when not in use. I use a macerator a hundred foot hose and go uphill 6-7 feet. It’s great! There isn’t any good dump stations near me. I do it a couple days after our trip.

yer not going to find a hole saw, or a drill for that matter, capable of cutting a hole in a cast iron manhole cover!

Peter417 · 05-15-2021, 10:55 AM

I don't think we know for sure that it is metal. That was my suspicion as well. If it's plastic I would push the easy button and cut a hole in that thing.

Peter417 · 05-15-2021, 11:00 AM

Another option would be to build a second septic system. Make sure you follow any local laws, but this system when built correctly and used within it's limits would work great.

https://knowledgeweighsnothing.com/how-to-build-diy-septic-system/
https://www.wikihow.com/Construct-a-Small-Septic-System
For a lot of campers, (not full time) a system like this may last a lifetime and never need to be emptied.

Krikati · 05-15-2021, 11:04 AM

We just remove the septic tank cover and drop the end of the drain hose part-way into the tank then turn on the macerator which will pump the waste into the tank. Make sure the hose doesn't jump around under pressure but you can do this by putting some weight over it. Be sure to clean out and drain the black tank again, then empty the gray tank. If you don't have a macerator, and your clean-out or septic tank is at a higher level than your drain pipe, you will need to find a different solution.

ITSNO60 · 05-15-2021, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter417

I don't think we know for sure that it is metal. That was my suspicion as well. If it's plastic I would push the easy button and cut a hole in that thing.

I figured it was cast iron when the OP said it is too heavy to lift.

wcrockett · 05-15-2021, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flostream66

I have a septic system right next to where I store my trailer. It has two sewer manhole covers, neither of which have a smaller hole that would allow for an RV dump without having to remove the whole cover - which is not an option for me [manhole cover is too heavy].

Does anyone know of a manufacturer of a manhole cover that has a built in port for RV dumping? I'd sure like to avoid the lines at the end of the weekend!

I bought a plastic septic tank cover. I cut a hole in the center of the lid and installed a threaded PVC female connection.

richandwanda · 05-15-2021, 03:50 PM

Septic tanks are designed for wastewater to enter the tank through the inlet pipe. They have baffles so the sewage enters the tank without roiling the contents. Dumping sewage directly through the tank lid may stir up the floating scum layer which could cause solids to get out of the tank and into the drain field. This can damage the drain field.
It would be preferable to install a clean out in the line to the tank and dump into the clean out. It is not difficult to install a clean out.

GOUSC · 05-15-2021, 04:40 PM

We had a clean out installed next to ours after the fact. The plumber didn’t seem to have an issue. Our cover is plastic and the holding tanks are some kind of heavy duty plastic. I do know when I take off my covers to clean the filter there is a heavy/ thick concrete cover under the cover and above the tanks that has to be lifted out to access the filter. All of this to say if you drill a hole in the top cover you may also have to deal with a non-plastic cover underneath that.

rideair · 05-15-2021, 07:02 PM

You could always just dig a big round hole in the ground, place a layer of large stone in the bottom of the hole, place a metal 55 gallon drum with many 2" holes drilled in the side (or shot many time with the firearm of your choice), place drum in the hole placing large stones between the drum and the dirt wall, place a 4" pipe in the top of the drum to where it slightly rises above ground level, cover back over with dirt.

Not that the above is right/legal/etc... but it has worked for many years with no problems going back 80 years in the many hollows and hills of the USA. It was a poor mans septic system for the longest time.

Just Saying,

Foiled Again · 05-15-2021, 08:48 PM

A friend.ofine bought a house with such a system, even had a certified inspector go over the whole property...but he missed the fact that the garage/hobby shop was hooked to a barrel. Cost my friend a.large.amount.of.money to fix. Several years later, sweet revenge. The old owner was a slumlord... and the county inspectors started to realize how much ground water was being affected. Properties condemned and seized... and real jail time for the offenders.

Do sincerely hope anyone who tries this gets caught before selling the property. And you can finance a proper system - plus plastic tanks are less expensive.to install and maintain.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rideair

You could always just dig a big round hole in the ground, place a layer of large stone in the bottom of the hole, place a metal 55 gallon drum with many 2" holes drilled in the side (or shot many time with the firearm of your choice), place drum in the hole placing large stones between the drum and the dirt wall, place a 4" pipe in the top of the drum to where it slightly rises above ground level, cover back over with dirt.

Not that the above is right/legal/etc... but it has worked for many years with no problems going back 80 years in the many hollows and hills of the USA. It was a poor mans septic system for the longest time.

Just Saying,

bweybright · 05-15-2021, 10:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rideair

You could always just dig a big round hole in the ground, place a layer of large stone in the bottom of the hole, place a metal 55 gallon drum with many 2" holes drilled in the side (or shot many time with the firearm of your choice), place drum in the hole placing large stones between the drum and the dirt wall, place a 4" pipe in the top of the drum to where it slightly rises above ground level, cover back over with dirt.

Not that the above is right/legal/etc... but it has worked for many years with no problems going back 80 years in the many hollows and hills of the USA. It was a poor mans septic system for the longest time.

Just Saying,

HUH? and what part of the boonies are you living (if you follow infection studies you will find it has not been safe for 80 years....)? Not to mention stupid...do you want to pollute your shallow well (from 80 years ago) if you are even thinking this? Oh, wait I get it - you are making a joke and we took your post for being serious.