How To Use an RV Macerator | 5 Easy Steps

It's time to dump! Emptying your black and gray RV tanks may sound like a messy hassle but it's a lot simpler than you think. Follow along these 5 easy steps to operating your macerator pump and safely drain both the black and gray water tanks.

Join our members community to get access to members-only perks:

We would really, really appreciate it! As we try and grow our audience so we can do more RV Lifestyle videos, we treasure each and every one of you who SUBSCRIBE. And if you do, click that little bell icon to be notified when new videos are released.

By background, we're journalists Mike and Jennifer Wendland and this channel is all about freedom and fun through RV travel! We travel North America in our RV doing travel videos, how-tos, RV walk-through tours and video tips about how to get the most out of the RV Lifestyle. Every week, we virtually take you with us with live on-the-road reports every Sunday night and we also in-depth RV travel videos every Thursday. We also regularly publish interviews with people from every part of the RV community. We do our best to demystify the RV Lifestyle and help you find the best spots, get the right gear and keep things running right so you can have fun and enjoy every minute out there in your RV!

Again, PLEASE SUBSCRIBE above!

Our RV Travel Guides:

Other RV Resources:

00:00 Introduction
00:24 Macerators and RV Water Tanks
02:35 Gravity System with Erik
03:17 Getting started...
04:25 How to use your macerator & pump
07:44 Campsite hookup tips
09:06 Thanks for watching!

Don't forget to like and follow us on Facebook:
Join the RV Lifestyle community on Facebook:

Follow us on Twitter:

Watch More:

DISCLAIMER:
All opinions expressed about products or services mentioned in this video honestly reflect our own personal appraisal, good and bad, and no sponsor or advertiser controls our content, writing, videos, podcasts or newsletter reports in any way.

Also, we often review or link to products & services we regularly use and think you might find helpful. To support the channel, we use Affiliate links wherever possible, which means if you click one of the links in this video or description and make a purchase we may receive a small commission or other compensation. Thanks for the support!

#rvtips #rvlife #camping

[pammorrison]

This video is a Godsend to all of us who are new to the RV Lifestyle. We are having fun in our LTV 2022 Unity RTB. Thanks Mike and Jen…and Bo❤.

[yellowfintodd]

Great video. One minor suggestion: I always start with dumping a small amount of gray water first to ensure that there are no catastrophic leaks. That way if you do have a leak and you get sprayed, better gray than black. If all is good, then I close the gray, dump the black and finish with the gray.

[davidcoren]

as a newbie waiting for my LTV Unity, I really appreciate this video, and yes I subscribed

[DMosesRN]

Thank you and your wife for your patience and love for educating us on the joy, maintenance and care of RV living.

[brianasamuels]

I made one decades ago to empty my rv black tank at my home where the sewer port was distant and uphill. I used the cheapest garbage disposal and some “MacGyver’d” techniques! It worked beautifully!

[laurieliddell]

Great information. Your videos are always so helpful. Thank you!

[wendywolfe]

Yay! We’ve had questions about all the steps- not many actually- to use a macerator. Thank you for the helpful video!

[marcgoldstone]

I recommend a macerator system modification... My macerator is plumbed on the RV's waste gate valves. Nex, I plumbed two PVC ball valves on the macerator's output. One valve directs the pulverized waste into the black tank upstream of the toilet's downpipe and the other to a 3/4" garden hose which connects to a septic system/sewer, etc. The black tank connection was made using a Uniseal on the bottom of the tank, and a 3/4" PVC pipe with a slit in its side and a plug to direct the flow toward the toilet's down pipe.

While boondocking the recirculation will dislodge poo-pyramids without wasting fresh water.

After emptying the black tank, I also use a few gallons from the gray tank to flush the black tank as well as leaving a few gallons of gray water in the black tank to prevent poo-pyramids from sticking.

[bsjcook]

Another option to the stinky slinky is the Sewer Solution which we have been using for over two years. It uses a 1 inch hose for the drain line, then you attach a separate grey water garden hose which shoots out a 1/8 in high pressure stream to act as a macerator for solids and will actually push up hill 3 feet of elevation. While draining if you do get a plug, just redirect the stream back toward the black tank, and then back down the drain hose. And no parks require the drain hose to be supported off the ground, and the last water pushed through is basically drinking water. Be sure to get one with a 25 ft hose. Thanks for another good video!

[RalphSanabria]

Thank you so much for the video it really helps me out understand how everything works . I do a lot of research on RVs and I’m looking forward to getting one.

[adventuresofmillietoad]

Watched this video just now - a year later. 😏 We just bought a new motorhome & have a macerator for the first time. Even though we got a demonstration from the dealer when we picked up the motorhome, it was good to see an expert using the system.

[paulamay]

Thank you so much for this video. I can't wait till I buy my own Leisure Van

[rvvideoswiththomyt]

And Mike your a great system, been using it with my 07 Monaco since new. I did have to replace the impeller in 09 but that wear was from someone who did not know how to use the system. In addition I flood the black tank before I empty to ensure a thinner substance. Then grey it out and flood again! It's worked flawless ever since. ThomyT

[cmkeller]

Great video with step-by-step process. Question on flushing the black tank when you have a macerator hose. What is the process? Do you leave the black tank valve open and run the macerator while you are flushing the tank? Or do you add water with the black tank valve closed, waiting a couple minutes, then open the valve and turn on the macerator? Your insight is greatly appreciated.

[lironfriedman]

Really helpful video, I like how clear and thorough you are. Total newbie here, I’m wondering, if you’re going to flush clean water through the blank tank, after emptying it, why not just use the grey water to flush it, then a final clean water flush? Meaning, empty the blank tank, then run the grey water through the macerator, then a final fresh water only at the end?

[familyreyes]

We live in an rv full time and we love it. We love your channel. When you come to NC. Let up know

[marilynwelther]

Interesting! I thought based on what you have said on your Sunday live chats that the macerator was in the toilet and worked when you flushed. BTW, waited until after eating to watch! LOL.

[lindabowers]

Is that a Wonder or Unity van, by any chance. Currently looking at those and looking for real-life reviews. Thanks for posting this!

[brucemontgomery]

i like your channel and subscribe.
i didn’t particularly see u making the connection/ opening the gate valve in this video

[conniehoyle]

Do you have a video on the macerator Toilet?