āI couldnāt believe my eyes!ā Janet exclaimed. āYes, the campgroundās sewer connection was high, but thatās no excuse to take a hacksaw to someone elseās property!ā
Janet was talking about an RVer who arrived at the campground this afternoon. Upon arrival, “Mr. Hacksaw” discovered that the sewer connection on his RV site was too high. Because of this, the RVer’s sewer hose would not connect properly and stay in place. Seems “Mr. Hacksaw” took things into his own handsāliterally!
Common campground sewer problem
Several folks around the campfire suggested that a āhigh sewer connectionā was fairly common.
āThere are ways around it,ā Mark noted. āI usually carry a bag of sand. I use it to hold my sewer hose in place.ā
āThere are many different adapters you can get. Or just keep your tanks closed and dump them when you leave the park. The sewer dump nearest the office has a ground-level connection,ā Janet suggested.
No reason for it
āThereās absolutely no reason why the campground canāt make sewer connections even with the ground,ā Bart groused. āItās not rocket science. All they have to do is cut the sewer pipe level with the ground around it.ā Several campers nodded in agreement.
Vandalism
āThis is a clear case of vandalism,ā Janet protested. āNo wonder campgrounds are raising their rates. Imagine the costs they must incur by entitled people who take matters into their own hands!ā
āI agree,ā Marty said. āWhy didnāt the guy just talk to the campground manager about the issue, instead of choosing to destroy their property?ā
Bart disagreed. āYou think the campground doesnāt already know about this? They should have taken a saw to that pipe long ago!ā
Fixes
āThey sell sewer donuts in the CG store. That might help.ā Pete suggested.
āOh, sure,ā Bart replied. āTheyāll charge you for it, too! Even though itās their problem. Thatās nuts!ā
āWe carry a bag of sand,ā Janet said. āIt helps hold our sewer hose in place and doesnāt destroy anyoneās property. Being creative is an important part of owning an RV.ā
Tim agreed. āIāve driven a tent stake on each side of my pipe and tied a string across the top of both stakes. It keeps my pipe in place. I certainly would never purposely damage someoneās property. The campground could legitimately charge the hacksaw guy a fee for damage.ā
Sign of the times?
āIt seems typical today,ā Marty opined. āThere are no boundaries. Rules simply donāt apply to some folks. Courtesy and common sense have all but died.ā
āShouldnāt the campground use common sense, too? They had to have noticed that their pipe was way too high for an RVer to connect to. Itās their job to provide a suitable site!ā Bart insisted.
Your opinion?
What do you think about this situation? What would you do if you pulled into your assigned RV site and saw that the sewer connection was too high? Please vote in the poll below then share your comments. Thank you!
LAST TIME IN “AROUND THE CAMPFIRE”
##RVT1117
Not a unusual problem. And it should be up to the campground to remedy. Not everyones RV has the clearance, or ability to raise it, so that you have sufficient flow to drain the tanks. I wouldn’t hacksaw the pipe, althought the repair, in most case is minimal. But I also understand why some RV’ers would be frustrated by having to deal with the problem.
Campgrounds, theoretically, provide a service to the RV community. IMO, service implies that the facilities are useable without having to compensate for improper design.
But some RV facilities, just don’t care, just like some stated that the RV’ers don’t care.
I suspect this would be the guy that bends the prongs on his power cord to āfitā the only available outlet, āairs downā his tires to help level his rig and anchors his awning to the sprinkler headsā¦..
The difference between ingenuity and stupidity is called wisdom and often becomes more distinguishable with experience.
it would depend on how long i was going to stay there. if just a day or two then i would just make it work somehow, but for an extended stay i would give managment a chance and if no solution is provided i would take my hacksaw to it also.
Mr Hacksaw should have been charged with vandalism, but he feels he is a member of the ME society.
Request a different site, have the managment fix the problem, or allow you to modify the connection.
I carry these in my tow vehicle because I had this issue once. https://www.camco.net/sewer-hose-supports/sewer-hose-cradle-adjustable-6pack-43071
First of all, it is my responsibility to carry implements (in my case a stepped ‘doughnut’) to snuggly fit a variety of sewer connections. And the only way the sewer connection is “too high” is if it is higher than the waste tank outlet on my RV.
I will comment on the issue to park management, and ask for a different site. If this site is unique in its deficiency and I am a return guest, I won’t accept that site unless the issue has been resolved. I absolutely won’t modify a site without encouragement (not just permission) to make changes.
I would not cut it without discussing it with management. There could be an issue about flooding and excess water running into the sewer lateral you are not aware of.
Okay, how high exactly are we talking about? Is it prevalent throughout the CG or just specific site(s)? Are you able to dump your tanks? I have a 4-in-1 adapter that fits snug, no weighing down ever to CG’s visited and since your RV/TT/Fiver’s sewer sits higher, what’s the issue? The sewer support stand? If I’m reading this article wrong, someone explain.
I think the issue is that this is a reason to complain about something.
Iāve been in campgrounds with both situations. But, thereās a plausible explanation for a reasonable amount of height (1-2ā). If the cap is left off of a sewer connection rain can float bark, small sticks and floatable trash into the sewer system and can require a lot of work to clean out the drain pipe.
However, Iāve seen sewer connections 4+ā above ground level in sites that are well drained and not susceptible to flooding. Either way I adapt to the campground situation. It doesnāt belong to me. Thatās why I carry workarounds to adapt to my surroundings.
I agree to improvise 1st. Then maybe get management and offer a solution. Maybe for a free night make the fix with their approval.
Improvise somehow. This condition is so frequent there are store bought solutions for it. Such as a collapsible sewer hose support designed to hold the hose off the ground and slope it toward the sewer pipe. If you travel enough, you have one of these, possibly two. For acting without consent, the perp should be banned, from the chain if applicable.
Sometimes these pipes are higher than the outlet on the rig, depending on how the entire site it laid out. Also, the ground level on these changes over time, that’s not completely the campground’s fault.
You definitely should not take matters in your own hands. It is not your property. You are only renting the facility, That brings up your rights as a renter. The campground should supply you with a usable facility. Bring the problem to their attention. If they do not provide a remedy, leave as soon as possible and tell them why. Tell them, in a polite and courteous manner that you will not return. Do not lose your temper in doing this. If you do they will dismiss you as just another angry individual.
At one campground the sewer connection was horizontal so out came the duct tape and drove a couple of sticks into the ground to wedge my connection in for good measure
Being as we seldom use the sewer connection at the sites we camp at, I would just ignore it. If I have to dump, I have been known to just pull the tank valves and then just walk the hose to empty it and then do the same for the gray tank. All I really want and need in a camp site is electricity for out CPap machines and to keep the reefer powered up.
While a high sewer pipe might be an inconvenience it may not be a choice if r=the management. There may be local codes that require a certain height above ground level or some other point because of risk of flooding. Flood waters flowing into the sewer can cause all sorts of problems to the system or cause pollution due to overflow. Cutting the pipe isnāt just petty vandalism but could be a criminal offense. Either way the person responsible should be forced to pay for repairs an evicted permanently from the campgrounds.
I have the “Sewer Solution” system and with the water pressure it will push it up!
Janet was aghast, but did she tell Mr Hacksaw what he was doing is wrong?
I have had this occur twice. Once I had to walk the hose from camper to sewer to empty it. Once it was so high walking it wouldnāt work. It was going back in (the tank). Fortunately the park had a dump station so I went there. Itās frustrating when you pay for full hookups but canāt use them. Both were at State parks.
Camco adjustable sewer hose drain support kit on Amazon is pricey, but does the trick. Order on Amazon.
It wouldn’t cross my mind to modify/change/vandalize/destroy the dump receiver. I’d find some way to make it work.
If you cut it level with the ground it’s nearly impossible to put the white cap on when you leave. DUH!
Some campgrounds by a river will flood and the ground get higher. When we’re not out camping our camper sits in a 1/2 seasonal/half daily campground. In the last 7 years our site is around 1″ higher. If our campground owner found out you had cut off the sewer he would toss you out and refuse to refund your money. I’ve watched him do this to rowdy guests. One time the sheriff was called and then the camper owner left before he was thrown in jail.
There could be a very good reason why the sewer pipe was that high. It’s very possible that the grade of main sewer line was not set correctly and, under the right conditions, the sewage could back up and overflow if that pipe was any shorter. Time will tell!
This is poor site management. I would improvise and then may not come back next time.
It’s not going to hurt me in any way to simply use the black and gray tanks for a week or so, emptying at the dump station when leaving. And repeatedly pestering management and every staff member throughout my stay until maintenance fixes the problem. š
After 30 years, my husband has learned to come prepared for almost any eventuality. Whereas too-hgh connections can be problematic, we have had some water hookups that are actually below ground and you have to stand on your head to get to them.
Once you have encountered a little of everthing, you travel with a “what-if” kit.
Those tall ones are sure handy in the snow.
My first thought would be the hacksaw as stupid stuff kind of pā$$3$ me off. But then I would try to accommodate my drain and make something work. Last choice would be management depending on the length of stay.
I hope the campground charged his card for the repair/replacement and banned him from that property and any others associated with that brand/chain.
If I were the campground owner I would ask the local Police or Sheriffās Office to document the vandalism. Then I would get a quote from a plumber to restore it and if possible advise the camper that they would be charged for the repair. If they refused to cooperate, fine. Sue them in small claims court. Itās likely they wouldnāt show up and would lose by default.
It would cost me a few bucks to have them served and they would most likely ignore the bill but I would have the satisfaction of having a court order against them.
Someone mentioned snow, but I’ve also heard that some campgrounds have them high because of flooding. If the hacksawed site was subject to flood, the next time there is high water, there could a a contamination mess. It’s hard to comprehend that entitlement some people feel they have that they could vandalize the campground because they don’t like the way it was set up.
We use a plastic rain gutter to hold our hose which we can raise or lower to the height needed for the sewer connection.
I’ve learned so much from reading these comments. THANK YOU for posting logical reasons why this connection might be so high. Otherwise I was going to vote with Mr. Hacksaw. Now I’m voting with the “be prepared to improvise” camp.
I don’t fault the man using his hacksaw. I would not do it myself. I see it as an RV park problem since water does not run uphill.
All of the above.
Find another site. If a acceptable site is not available demand a refund.
Experience says to come prepared for this kind of issue. Sewer hose supports are relatively inexpensive. Walking the hose is something that needs to be done from time to time. Damage to the property is the wrong solution.
Perhaps Mr Hacksaw had permission and all the supplies to do a proper modification. Not enough information given, just someone jumping to a conclusion.
We have this problem all the time. Our 50yo Class A was built to have a low center of gravity and we love what that gives us. Until we got older, we didn’t carry a step as the floor is only 13″ up. With the coaches steel frame, the highest I can dump to is about 7″ over grade (usually the pad elevation). I refuse to add a macerator/pump, because when they fail then there is a real big mess to deal with and my dump at home is at grade and we never have issues with it. We are very rarely in camp grounds as we are travelers that go to rallies. At a private commercial cramp ground, I went to use the available dump when we were leaving as was told I would have to pay to do that. At that time I told them that if my choice was to go back to the rented space and dump, I would do that. When I remarked that I could not dump into their high port, so I would have to dump on the grass. They decided that I could use the dump where I was.
My 1975 Airstream had a very low sewer outlet. Early on I bought a Sewer Solution, problem solved. It also came in handy at home when our only dump option was an uphill clean out. I still have my Sewer Solution system and it is still working 4 RVs and 20+ years later. Most sewer hoses don’t last more than 3 years.
Iām not exactly sure how the pipe being too high would allow the sewer hose to stay connected. However, I have seen the campground sewer connection running uphill or level with the RV sewer output connection. It makes for longer than normal task to empty the ranks. I shouldnāt have to maneuver around the campsite to find a higher point or put my RV on wood blocks on an otherwise level site to make the sewer flow downhill.
However, I certainly wouldnāt modify the campground sewer connection. Iād let management know and if they failed to address it satisfactorily, Iād leave a poor review.
The author is probably talking about me. I’ve done exactly what she was describing. There is no reason for a park to have a sewer pipe sticking up 8-12″ above the ground level. It prevents your sewer hose from draining. I stayed in a site where the pipe stuck up 10″ above ground level. I wiggled the pipe & found it was just setting in the underground pipe, not glued in place. So I took it out & cut off 9″ so the pip was just 1″ above ground level & then my hose drained properly.
I’ve run into sewer hookups that were higher than the outlet on my smallish trailer, those absolutely will not work, as s*** don’t flow up hill. IMHO, no excuse for that.
Municipal sewage systems become overwhelmed by rain water in their systems. Leaching, too, cannot handle lots of rainwater. Holding tanks fill up quickly and are expensive to pump out. With the pipe at ground level it can get lots of water in the sewage system and can cause health issues and problems for park owners. I would never recommend cutting down a high pipe. Thereās probably a very good reason why it is not at ground level.
Agree. AND, maybe it was ground level when installed but ground around has washed away. Maybe the “too tall” pipe meets some sort of local code. Most all sewage pipes are too tall for my Class B. Why don’t we just ask park owners to label sites, listing which make and model of RV the site can accommodate by position of sewer pipe and electric pedestal? “Yes, we have 15 sites open but not one to fit your RV type.” Good Golly, we don’t want RVing to be too adventurous.
The gravel/sand bags help, and various sewer hose support accessories hold a steady decline from RV to the sewer. But we also took a 4 inch diameter PVC pipe 3 to 4 feet long, and sliced it in half lengthwise on a friend’s table saw. This made an excellent sloped holder for the sewer pipe from any height stack of wood blocks to the sewer pipe.
There are comments about the pipes flooding and causing issues. Not if you have the PVC caps for the sites. Sure some campers may not put them back on but that should be part of the Campground staffs duties when they inspect sites after people leave. But most don’t do that either. Many a time I’ve had to “milk” my hoses to drain the tanks.
If they are worried about water in the sewer how about water in the electrical system when they put the pedestals with outlets 4 inches from the ground!
The sewer outlet on our rig is extremely low and I’ve not been to many campgrounds or RV parks where the dump was lower than our pipe. So this is almost always as issue for us and we just work with it. Having been involved with a few RV site builds and rehabs around the country I’ve come to realize that local codes are making campground and RV prk owners build these dumps higher and higher.
The person or persons who take matters into their own hands and redesign the dump pipes to suit them should indeed be charged for the repairs and charged with vandalism or destruction of private property.
If you simply can’t figure out a work around talk to the management.
Other. I have a molded fiberglass trailer w/a marine toilet and 5 gallon holding tank. I have dumped it in my own house (we have septic) gas station toilets, campground toilets, campground dump systems,. Usually it’s dumped thru the sewer at the full service site, we mostly book electric only sites
We had a similar experience several years ago, so we didn’t connect and dumped when we left.
Thank you, Gail! I said that I’d improvise, but that’s not fully correct. As others have mentioned, we carry a saddlebag-looking, sturdy woven container with sand inside and a weight of ~5 pounds. I lay it on the end of our sewer hose with one bag lying on each side. It does a good job keeping the hose end in place, including when I stretch the hose to fully empty it. So, it is more plan 1B than an improvisation. Thank you, Gail!
I would connect as usual and put my sewer line on stands. even if the sewer outlet is lower, the holding tank is most likely higher, and it will still flow. Then before leaving I would lift the hose starting at the outlet and feeding it to the sewer connection. I do this sometimes when at the dump station to make sure that everything is out of the hose before disconnecting and flushing the hose with fresh water.
I would also notify the management and see if the connection could be lowered for myself and future RV’ers.
It is also possible the RV’er in this story did go to management and offered to make the repair and was given permission to do so.
It was me and I sent the campground a bill for the repairs I made on their incorrectly installed drain.