"hard plumbing" 91 AS

[schastain]

We are definitely "newbies" and have a great 1991 34' Excella. It will soon be parked semi-permanently, on 10 acres in the piney woods near Austin, TX. We are having it hard plumbed so that the grey and black tanks will be eliminated and that waste will empty directly into a septic system. We do not intend to every travel with it so we do not need to be able to use the plumbing in a camping situation. We have had lots of imput but do not know what to believe. We've been told we must put in a residential toilet so there will be enough water pressure to flush solids all the way down into the septic tank. We have been told that a regular trailer (marine) toilet will be just fine. We have been told it is OK to totally remove the black and grey tanks so the waste goes directly into the septic system and will never have to empty the tanks via the valves. We have been told we need to leave the black tank and periodically empty the tank as needed. Our real problem is that there will be people using the trailer when we aren't there and we are very concerned about those people using the toilet-they will no doubt be unfamiliar with the workings of a trailer toilet and black tank clearing. We'd really like to remove the tanks altogether and use the toilet like a residential toilet. Again, we do not care that we cannot use the plumbing as a travel trailer system.

HELP! We're about to be on the spot and have to make a decision. Thanks so much.

Suzanne

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by schastain

We are definitely "newbies" and have a great 1991 34' Excella. It will soon be parked semi-permanently, on 10 acres in the piney woods near Austin, TX. We are having it hard plumbed so that the grey and black tanks will be eliminated and that waste will empty directly into a septic system. We do not intend to every travel with it so we do not need to be able to use the plumbing in a camping situation. We have had lots of imput but do not know what to believe. We've been told we must put in a residential toilet so there will be enough water pressure to flush solids all the way down into the septic tank. We have been told that a regular trailer (marine) toilet will be just fine. We have been told it is OK to totally remove the black and grey tanks so the waste goes directly into the septic system and will never have to empty the tanks via the valves. We have been told we need to leave the black tank and periodically empty the tank as needed. Our real problem is that there will be people using the trailer when we aren't there and we are very concerned about those people using the toilet-they will no doubt be unfamiliar with the workings of a trailer toilet and black tank clearing. We'd really like to remove the tanks altogether and use the toilet like a residential toilet. Again, we do not care that we cannot use the plumbing as a travel trailer system.

HELP! We're about to be on the spot and have to make a decision. Thanks so much.

Suzanne

The use of the gray and black tanks, can indeed, be eliminated.

However, proper plumbing must then be done to hook the trailer into a septic tank.

You can continue to use the trailer toilet, with your plan, since it does flush with adequate water.

Since the trailer will no longer travel, make sure that it's water proofed from the rains.

Unless they have been replaced the sewer vent pipe cover gaskets will leak, since they only last 2 to 3 years.

Also, check the window, entrance door and access compartment door gaskets.

Since the trailer is 19 years old, those gaskets may have hardened and crack, which will allow water to enter the trailer when a good rain hits.

You should also raise the trailer a couple of inches or so, to take most of the weight off the axles. Keep the tires off the dirt, if you can.

It would also be a good idea, to have the water heater, furnace and reefer properly serviced before you make the trailer immobile. Check the AC as well.

Andy