Sewer connections on R178
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Forum Name: Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
Forum Discription: Ask maintenance questions, share your podmods (modifications) and helpful tips
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=4482
Printed Date: 08 May 2024 at 11:37am
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Topic: Sewer connections on R178
Posted By: cody91
Subject: Sewer connections on R178
Date Posted: 14 Mar 2014 at 11:28am
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Just purchased a new R178. I'm trying to determine what the best sewer hose set up would be. When camping using full hook ups, is it better to have one sewer hose and alternate between BT and GT as they become full? Or is it better to have two constantly connected sewer hoses and a Y-adapter connected to the sewer drain? Can anyone reflect on their own personal experiences with this? Thanks! |
Replies:
Posted By: Sleepless
Date Posted: 14 Mar 2014 at 12:17pm
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The normal sequence is to empty and flush the black tank and hose, then move the hose to empty the grey water tank. We then rinse the hose (using a Hydroflush) and by then your hose is about as clean as it is going to get. The main thing to remember is to empty the black water tank first, then the grey.
------------- 2014 R-Pod 178 (OUR POD) 2009 Chevrolet Avalanche |
Posted By: cody91
Date Posted: 14 Mar 2014 at 1:05pm
So does that mean both tanks are closed until it's time to empty them? How often do you connect a house and use the BT Flush feature? Do you do that every time you empty? |
Posted By: CharlieM
Date Posted: 14 Mar 2014 at 1:21pm
Didn't realize the 178 had separate sewer connections, but here's the info. The suggestion from Sleepless is correct. Only one hose is required. Normally the gray tank will need emptying more frequently than the black. The black tank should be kept closed until it fills to about 75%. Then empty and close again. The last time it should be back flushed until clean. The gray tank can be emptied anytime, but it should be kept closed until about 75% to have enough water in the tank to flush the hose after emptying the black tank. The last time it's emptied the hose should be flushed with clean water before it's stored. Some campers leave the gray tank valve open and the hose connected while camping, but I don't recommend it. You can leave the hose connected to the gray fitting, but keep the valve closed until you are ready to empty the tank. An open valve is an invitation to an accident or to sewer fumes backing up into the camper if a vent sticks open. It happened to me 
------------- Charlie Northern Colorado OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD |
Posted By: cody91
Date Posted: 14 Mar 2014 at 1:32pm
Thanks Sleepless and CharlieM! I sincerely appreciate your help. Cody91 |
Posted By: Bubink
Date Posted: 14 Mar 2014 at 1:56pm
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Glad I stumbled on this topic as we are in the midst of sewer hose debates/decisions. We bought the Valterra Dominator for our hose but have been reading good reviews about the Rhinoflex system. I know the Rhinoflex will fit in the black tube from D&C Inc but we would have to get the 60" one from them to accomodate the longer length we want. SO pros and cons of Rhinoflex vs Dominator?? New tube from D&C or make one from 4"-6" PVC? My goal is to have a tube that will store all the stuff associated with the sewer so need any input anybody can offer!! Thanks! ------------- 2014 178 |
Posted By: Sleepless
Date Posted: 14 Mar 2014 at 2:02pm
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I kept the hose carrier that came with my 178 but supplemented it with the 64" carrier that is now on sale at Camping World. My decision to purchase the CW carrier was price-driven. Bob ------------- 2014 R-Pod 178 (OUR POD) 2009 Chevrolet Avalanche |
Posted By: Bubink
Date Posted: 14 Mar 2014 at 2:16pm
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Bob, what hose system do you use?? I could see getting the Rhino as it's supposed to fit in the one that comes with the camper and then get the supplemental tube to hold extensions. Is that what you do?? ------------- 2014 178 |
Posted By: Bred Flink
Date Posted: 14 Mar 2014 at 2:48pm
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There's a posting with pictures on R-pod owners Facebook page, that details a Y joint drain setup for full service sites. Essentially, it is both hookups jointed at a Y joint plumbing connector, which fits into the camp site's drain. The hoses are supported by rain gutters. Looks like a good setup. ------------- Sailing and camping Western Canada and US-NW |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 14 Mar 2014 at 3:06pm
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An addition to what Charlie said, you don't have to keep the gray tank closed until it fills since it will fill in just a few showers and the black tank can last more than half a week. I keep mine open until I know I'll need to dump the black tank, then close the gray tank to accumulate a morning's round of showers, then dump the black. Leaving the black closed again and the gray open. Edit: corrected ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual 
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Posted By: CharlieM
Date Posted: 14 Mar 2014 at 5:48pm
Doug, I hope you meant to say the black tank can last more than half a week. Certainly not the gray with your crew! My caution on leaving the gray valve open to the sewer was from personal experience. Unknown to me the original vacuum breaker under the galley sink had failed open. The effect was to suck campground sewer gas back into the Pod, especially with the Fantastic running. Not pleasant! Even with the window cracked it got bad until I figured it out. Maybe a rare occurrence, but I had a very similar problem on my new Camplite. Probably the same vendor. ------------- Charlie Northern Colorado OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD |
Posted By: Boomertype
Date Posted: 14 Mar 2014 at 6:00pm
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There has been a picture and post over on the FB showing a double drain setup. I think they are implying that they keep the drains open, but not sure. I'd be concerned about people tripping over the drain pipes and other potential damage from leaving the setup out. I'd agree that you shouldn't keep the black water drain open. Keeping the black water open would allow some clumping to occur and it will sit and solidify. You want a wet environment to keep items from settling. |
Posted By: CharlieM
Date Posted: 14 Mar 2014 at 6:08pm
I can't speak from experience on the Dominator, but I can personally recommend the RhinoFlex hose and the d&w carrier. On the Valterra carrier, it's not clear from their catalog where the 64" is measured and what the spacing is between mounting brackets. On my 172 the center to center rail spacing was 61-62" That spacing can be ordered from d&w inc, but it must be ordered as a special order. No added cost, but must be specified. Their 60" model does accommodate the 15 foot Rhino with adapters and a 45 degree clear elbow. The d&w carrier can be mounted transverse under the Pod. Not sure how/where the Valterra would mount. Others can comment. You could make a carrier from PVC, but that requires more work and thinking  . ------------- Charlie Northern Colorado OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD |
Posted By: Sleepless
Date Posted: 14 Mar 2014 at 6:58pm
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Charlie, I just took my 64" Valterra out of its box. The actual end-to-end length is a true 64 inches. Mounting hole spacing is 63 inches and the ID is 4 3/8 inches. It is on sale at Camping World in your choice of black or white for a little over $35 and is stocked in most of their stores. Hope this answers some of the questions. Bob -to- ------------- 2014 R-Pod 178 (OUR POD) 2009 Chevrolet Avalanche |
Posted By: CharlieM
Date Posted: 14 Mar 2014 at 7:17pm
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So Bob, Will the 63" bracket spacing allow transverse mounting on the Pod? I don't have my pod available so I can't measure. The 4 3/8 I.D. may be very tight for the Rhino. Don't know about the Valterra hose. The d&w SuperTube is 4 9/16 I.D. and just large enough for the Rhino and accessories. ------------- Charlie Northern Colorado OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 14 Mar 2014 at 7:27pm
We did the long valterra, made brackets from some angle iron. The rhino will fit in the valterra, but it's fittings needed to be modified. That tube will accomodate all the fittings and our clear section, which is straight. ------------- |
Posted By: CharlieM
Date Posted: 14 Mar 2014 at 7:42pm
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Furpod: No Camplite yet?
------------- Charlie Northern Colorado OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD |
Posted By: Sleepless
Date Posted: 14 Mar 2014 at 7:44pm
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Charlie, my pod is in storage so I can't check either. I expect I will have to fabricate mounting brackets, as Mark indicates in his post above. Bob ------------- 2014 R-Pod 178 (OUR POD) 2009 Chevrolet Avalanche |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 14 Mar 2014 at 7:48pm
Nope.. it will be our next camper, but we really love the pod.. and the pod community. When we toured LL's factory last year, I talked to them about the lack of a forum and community like the pod, and some other campers have.. they pointed me towards the yahoo group, where I had been a member for over a year.. told them it was mostly pop up fabric discussions.. they said.. "yeah.. well" I was very glad to see they have a forum now, though would like to have seen the community build it rather than the factory.. You know the deal on that I am sure.. We were SURE we would order after the tour, but like I said, the pod people are a strong pull.. ------------- |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 14 Mar 2014 at 9:21pm
Ugh, yes, that's what I get for posting quickly w/o proofreading. Black tank half a week. Gray tank at most 4 showers! Interesting about the odor, we've smelled that at times and I never figured it out. I'll have to check out this possibility next time I do. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
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Posted By: CharlieM
Date Posted: 14 Mar 2014 at 9:33pm
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Doug, Next time you smell the sewer open the cabinet and stick your nose under the stove/sink. If the breaker is bad it will be immediately obvious  ------------- Charlie Northern Colorado OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD |
Posted By: asreichler
Date Posted: 15 Mar 2014 at 3:40pm
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has anyone connected the gray to the black with a permanent hard connection under the rig? Allen ------------- 2014 178 TV 2004 Dodge 2500 deisel |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 15 Mar 2014 at 8:08pm
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Charlie, what does it look like?
------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
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Posted By: CharlieM
Date Posted: 15 Mar 2014 at 9:23pm
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Doug, I assume you mean the vacuum breaker/vent. It's a round black object about 2.5" diameter and about the same height. Follow the sink drain pipe from the wall toward the P-trap. The breaker sits atop a tee on this line near the P-trap. You can't tell visually if it's working, but they're cheap so just replace it if suspect. It just unscrews. It's function is to let air into the pipe during draining to prevent a vacuum from sucking the p-trap dry. Dry p-trap equals bad news because sewer gasses can then flow into the camper. The same devices are use in houses when it's too hard/expensive to provide an external vent to a sink. http://www.amazon.com/Plumbing-air-gap-check-vent/dp/B00CYYXING/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1394932347&sr=8-4&keywords=rv+sink+vent - http://www.amazon.com/Plumbing-air-gap-check-vent/dp/B00CYYXING/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1394932347&sr=8-4&keywords=rv+sink+vent ------------- Charlie Northern Colorado OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 15 Mar 2014 at 10:25pm
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You know, I saw that weird pipe when doing my outside shower mod, wondered what the heck it was, and meant to go back and investigate.Thanks for the heads up! ------------- |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 15 Mar 2014 at 11:15pm
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Ah, we had one of those installed when we had a utility sink moved to a new location. Looks different than the one in the link but same thing.
------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
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Posted By: marwayne
Date Posted: 15 Mar 2014 at 11:19pm
In the 172 it is high up behind the cooktop.
 ------------- If you want something done right, do it yourself. 2011 RP172, 2016 Tundra 5.7 Litre, Ltd. |