sink water disposal in campground

[journey on]

Again, we have not been turned away from any campground because we're on a boat. And it's started some fine conversations. Though we've rejected some campsites, because when you call in for reservations and tell them you're on a 25' boat, and show up with a trailer that's a bit longer, well.....

As I mentioned above, we do drain our sink into an external 5 gal "holding tank", via a hose. Also for those times when you have to dump the head holding tank, I bought a 4" rubber collar, normally used to seal the dump hose to the hole in the ground, attached it to a standard dump hose elbow, thence to a dump hose. Now whenever we need to dump the BIG holding tank, I hold the rubber collar/muff over the macerator discharge port, Judy flips the switch and several minutes later the holding tank is empty. Never failed, or leaked (as long as Judy and I co-ordinate our respective motions.) Never got an objection either.

Of course you also need a bucket of water to flush the head when the boat is on the trailer. But you knew that. Or at least you'd of found out. And this is important to us because usually it takes us a couple of days to reach our cruising destination.

Boris

[thataway]

My RoadTrek RV only has a 10 gallon black water holding tank--if I am careful, I can get almost 2 weeks before it needs dumping. This often means using the head facilities at campgrounds of houses where I am staying. This is with just one person--so two would be substantially less time.

[JamesTXSD]

Boris, where are you keeping that sewer hose while trailering? Since the macerator discharge thru-hull is on the starboard side and RV dumps are on the port side, how much hose are you carrying?

We considered that solution, but both of us wanted to be the one on the switch, and neither of us wanted to be the one on the outside holding the hose against the boat.

Best wishes,
Jim

[Simplicity]

We've never camped with our boat before but on our trip next month to lake superior we hope to.We don't intend to use the head or sink. It sounds like we better call for reservations and tell them up front that we're pulling a boat & see if that's OK. I guess it can be an issue at some camp grounds. Alan

[journey on]

Jim, I keep the dump hose in a heavy duty trash bag in the back of the truck. After I flush it out with a water hose. Don't need it with the boat in the water.

On Journey On, our macerator outlet is on the port side. If it's been changed to the starbord side, just add 8' more hose. The elbow lets it lay flat to the boat's side

As far as being the one who holds the fitting against the side, it takes good co-ordination. We've never missed yet. If we do, there's going to be a change of who does what.

Simplicity, we camped along the south shore of Lake Superior: Camping and cruising describes it. Used both KOA and city campgrounds. Try the one in Houghton, Mich. It's right on the canal across the Keweenaw Pennisula

Boris

[JamesTXSD]

Boris, thanks for the info. Yes, our macerator thru-hull is on the starboard side.

Alan (Simplicity), I sure don't mean to imply that land traveling or camping with the boat is a problem. It IS different from RVing, but it sure beats motels or sleeping on the ground in a tent. Be sure to get an adapter for your power cord so you can hook up to campground electricity (30 amp, 3-prong, non-twist, or at least a 15 amp grounded adapter). In a campground, we have heat (Wallas or portable elect.), we're able to run any of our appliances, including the TV (many parks have cable). Some campground operators aren't sure what to do with a boat. We tell them "it's set up like a typical RV, 30 amp power, self-contained toilet, etc" and that generally is as far as it goes. We have had NO problem at the majority of campgrounds, but have been turned away from several... not bad considering the miles we've put on trailering the boat. Rather than tell them the size of the boat, we let them know our over-all length (boat/trailer/truck) so they can assign us an appropriate size site. Pick up a Trailer Life Campground Guidebook and you will have ratings of the campgrounds... the middle rating is for cleanliness, generally regarding the shower/bathroom facilities. They also list last year's prices, which are always higher, but it gives you some perspective on the area. When you check in, many of the campgrounds have little check boxes for the type of RV - I just check the travel trailer box and tell 'em "It's just a different shape."

Have fun.

Best wishes,
Jim B.

[teflonmom]

After reading all of these posts about disposal I am more convinced that a portapottie is a good thing. Holding a hose against the thru hull outlet and telling my wife to hit the switch causes nightmares.

Some times when they have a big curb around the dump stations in camp grounds our RoadTrek is hard to dump and I think a portapottie would be better. However that still would not take care of the gray water.

Fred, Pat and Mr. Grey(the cat)

Mr. Grey's pottie box is less of a problem, just put the litter in a plastic bag and dump it in the waste container.

[thataway]

Fred--Amen to the problems dumping the Road Trek. I have used a macerator pump at times (and I think that the new ones come with a macerator pump). there is also a "hose powered" macerator pump, and that works "OK" for about 10 feeet. A couple of times I have had to drive the Road Trek up on blocks to get it high enough to get over a curb.

For those who don't know about the Road Trek--they are conversion vans, which have a center dropped floor and the air conditioner concealed in the back roof (over the bunk/dinette), so that the top is low, and they are a great "urban stealth" camper. They have a head, 2 burner propane stove, refigrator, heater, AC, seat 3 to 4 and some have kind sized bunks, plus a nice closet. All with 6'1" head room in the center Isle. and not much over 8 foot overall height. (some of the newer ones are taller).

I don't see the macerator discharge on the port side as a problem. Most hookups in camp grounds are on the port (drivers) side.