We were stopped for fuel when a fellow RVer quickly made his way over to our rig. Pointing to our fifth wheel’s sewer discharge pipe, he said, “You might want to get a cap for that. Otherwise, you could get a ticket.”
Both my husband and I looked to where the RVer pointed and saw that the cap for the end of our sewer discharge pipe was missing!
There and gone
This wasn’t the first time the sewer cap went missing. We’d already replaced it—twice! We hadn’t realized that the cap was missing—again! However, this is the first time we’ve heard about a potential citation. While it makes sense to me, I’d never heard about it before. I needed to find out more! And we needed to get another replacement cap ASAP!
It’s true!
I learned that you could potentially receive a ticket if your RV’s sewer cap is missing. It all depends on the circumstances and local laws. Reasons for a citation may include:
- Environmental concerns. The missing sewer cap could allow wastewater to leak, which is a violation of environmental regulations in many areas. Wastewater leaks can contaminate the ground and pose health hazards, leading to fines or penalties.
- Health and safety regulations. In some jurisdictions, having a secure sewer system is mandatory to ensure public health and sanitation. A missing RV sewer cap could be seen as a failure to comply with these rules.
- Traffic laws. If you are driving without a sewer cap, the law may consider it a risk for spills onto the road. This can potentially be a safety hazard for other drivers. This could result in a ticket under unsafe vehicle operation regulations.
Steps to avoid issues
- Replace the cap promptly. Missing sewer caps are relatively inexpensive to replace and are often available at RV supply stores, online, or even some hardware stores. While most caps universally fit RV discharge pipes, you should measure your sewer pipe opening just to be sure.
- Carry a spare. It’s a good idea to keep an extra sewer cap in your RV in case one gets lost or damaged. Consider purchasing a cap that features a tether. The tether connects to the sewer pipe to keep a disconnected cap from falling to the ground.
- Secure the cap properly. Always ensure the sewer cap is tightly secured before driving. We now include checking the sewer cap at the same time we perform a final walk-around before getting on the road.
Now you know
Take these precautions and perhaps save yourself from a potential fine, not to mention prevent embarrassing smells and drips!
##RVT1184
Never lost a sewer cap in over 30 years of RV’ing. If I do lose one I’ll just take the cap off my stored sewer hose, no big deal.
If you replace a sewer, cap get a clear one. That way you can see if a surprise is waiting for you.
Where do you get a ‘clear’ cap? All I have seen available are black.
Amazon for about $5
We have become a culture full of fear. This is RVer’s under attack again. What, maybe 1 in a 100 has lost the cap? Many many folks we see taking a leak along the highways. Just like a coyote, deer or moose does. What comes out of your tank is “biodegradable”. I am much more disgusted with the garbage like cigarette butts by the millions left on the ground at pullouts along our highways.
Or rotten baby diapers in a garbage can at a rest stop.
That’s what garbage cans are for JB…better in a can than on the ground!
Great common sense!! This is 100% about control and revenue!! And too many DO live in “fear”…that’s the goal!
It was Probably in California where everything is illegal, except for stealing.
and drugs.
Seems odd that a bayonet style cap would just fall off. Either Gail/Husband weren’t putting it on securely or someone was stealing it. Sad if a cop stopped an RVer over that, “a risk for spills onto the road”, yet how many open trucks with stuff like leaves/shrub debris do you see driving w/o a cover over the top of the cargo.
And trucker PEE bombs!
Coulda, woulda, shoulda. Is there a single documented case of these ambiguous laws being applied in this way? I can understand actual leakage, but this just sounds like the typical PSA mixed with a bit of fear mongering. I’ll vote it belongs in “things that never happened” for $100.
Funny- we just came back from Az. Along Hwy 58 we passed a trailer with the cap swinging in the air- along with seeing their valve open as well…..spilling intermittently large amounts of clear water.
Thank you, Gail! I really appreciate the information. I had never thought of the possibility of losing the sewer cap. Very good to know that this can be a ticketable offdnse. Happy new year! 🙂