Straight Line Waste System

[doglickfarms]

I am renovating a '72 Overlander. The places where we will go with our airstream are places where they have sewage hook-ups. My question is... can I run straight plumbing (like a dwelling) and bypass the tanks instead of having to reconnect to the tanks?

Thanks,
Bob

[HowieE]

The short answer is that is not a good idea.

Unlike house plumbing the toilet in the trailer does not use enough water to move everything down stream. You will have problems because not everyone will release the dam as necessary.

[Boondocker]

I would say that nobody would disagree with what Howie said, but then again, there are folks here who would argue with a wooden indian.

First, as Howie pointed out, the system would not have enough liquid volume to flush the solids. That would be bad.

Second, even if you are going to places with hookups, would it not be nice to have a usable toilet along the way? Again, what about stopping for lunch; wouldn't the kitchen sink be a handy thing to use?

Third, are you ever going to sell the thing? There is a reason they put tanks in. Use them.

[moosetags]

I tend to agree with Howie. It's not impossible, but it's probably not the best thing to do. Not having any gray water to rinse the sewer hose will make for a very stinky slinky or a very messy cleanup job.

Brian

[68 TWind]

If you replaced the RV toilet with a standard house type and plumbed it with smooth wall PVC it would work. Rodney raises several good points. Having replaced a black tank, toilet and valving, it was not a huge job. I suspect that retrofitting with a home style fixture and re-plumbing would be more difficult than just making it right. OTOH, if you are never going to move the trailer the household toilet may be a better option.

[InsideOut]

Bad idea.

Shari

[doglickfarms]

Thanks guys. Just trying to get my ducks in a row before I put it back together.

Bob