Using an RV Macerator Pump to Make RV Living Next to a House Easy
Sometimes even full-time RV travelers like to have a little break from being on the road 24/7.
Staying at an RV park is one way to stay put for a while but if you’d rather stay with family or friends there’s a simple way to dump your RV without having to move or camp right next to the sewer. It’s by using an RV macerator pump.
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First off, it’s legal to dump an RV into a residential sewer in most places. If you’re planning on staying very long term I’d double check the regulations in the specific area you will be staying in, but in most cases, it’s perfectly fine.
Most homes have what’s called a sewer cleanout somewhere near the house. The cleanout is a pipe that’s connected to the main sewer line that’s used to clean the line if it ever gets clogged.
The pipe looks a lot like the sewer hookup in an RV park and in most cases it can be used in the same way. Many RVers just dump their campers at home directly through the cleanout using regular RV sewer hoses.
That works great if you can park near the sewer cleanout but they’re not always so accessible. If you’re staying somewhere long term you might not be parked so close to the house anyway.
An RV macerator pump is a perfect solution for this. It’s basically a sewage blender that breaks down raw sewage using blades. It then pumps the broken down black tank matter out of a garden hose sized outlet to the sewer.
Not all RV macerators are created equal, some are rated to pump through garden hoses that are only 50 feet long and others can go much further.
See Also: How To Maintain RV Holding Tanks To Prevent Clogs & Odors
In this review, I’ll go over some of the best portable RV macerator pumps and the best way to use them.
I’ll also include some larger more heavy duty residential toilet macerator pumps if you are planning on building a more permanent setup that is further than 100 feet away from the intended sewer inlet.
Best RV Macerator
Most Powerful
Last update on 2024-04-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Best RV Macerator Pumps for at Home RV Dumping
Flojet Portable RV Waste Pump
The Flojet macerator pump is probably the most popular for RVers who dump their RVs at home.
It’s completely RV ready with a bayonet fitting on one end that connects directly to a camper sewer pipe.
The outlet is threaded to fit any standard garden hose connection.
There’s also a freshwater rinse out attachment on the side you connect a garden hose to so you can rinse out the blackwater tank with the Flojet macerator pump still attached to your RV.
There are four stainless steel blades inside that cut down sewage particles to at least 1/8 inch. The shaft inside is also stainless steel but the bayonet connection part is plastic.
Flojet recommends only pumping sewage horizontally up to 25 feet when using a 5/8 inch hose or 50 feet with a 3/4 inch hose.
This recommendation is to help keep the RV sewage pump from overheating, which increases the life of the motor and parts.
It’s capable of pumping further distances, especially at a decline, but it might burn out the pump faster.
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There’s an automatic overheat shutoff and dry run protection that helps protect the motor inside.
This is a 12 volt pump. It comes with about 6 feet of cable you can use to connect the Flojet macerator pump to a 12 volt battery.
You can either install battery lugs on the ends for a more permanent install or alligator clips for faster connecting and more portability.
This runs on a 20 amp circuit which means you will need to get at least 20 amp rated alligator clips like these (click to view on Amazon).
The Flojet will use up to 240 watts while running.
To turn it on and off there’s a small wired remote with a button. It has a 6 foot cable which means you can run the macerator without having to crouch down by it.
You can dump your RV in your home sewer access point or even in the toilet.
Also included is a storage box.
The Flojet Portable RV Waste Pump is a fantastic RV ready macerator pump that only requires a few extra parts to get started (garden hose and alligator clips).
It’s made with quality parts, it’s fast to set up, and comes with a storage box.
If you find yourself camping next to someone’s home often or you want to be able to use your RV as a temporary guest house this is going to be a simple way to take care of the RV dumping part without having to go to an actual RV dump station.
PROS
- RV Ready
- Stainless Steel Shaft & Blades
- Tank Rinse
- Outlet Garden Hose Ready
- Low Power Usage (240 watts)
CONS
- Max Rated Pumping Distance Only 50 Feet
- Plastic Bayonet Fittings
- Must Add Battery Connectors To Use
The SewerFlo RV macerator pump is another RV ready product that comes with the plastic bayonet fittings already installed.
There’s a rinse out attachment that sticks out on the side you can connect a garden hose to when you need to rinse out the black tank.
There are 4 stainless steel blades but the shaft is made of plastic.
The 12 volt motor uses up to 12 amps (144 watts) when running. It has a thermal cut off and an intermittent cycle to help keep it from overheating or getting damaged over time.
The outlet is the strange part of this macerator pump. Since most RVers use garden hoses with this, most RV ready macerators have a threaded outlet that’s ready for the standard garden hose connection.
Instead, the SewerFlo has a 1 inch barb outlet. If you want to connect this to a garden hose you will need some 1 inch tubing, hose clamps, and a 1 inch to 3/4 garden hose adapter (click links to view products on Amazon).
You can also find adapters and tubing at your local hardware store.
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This is another 12 volt sewer pump. Instead of bare wires coming out of it the SewerFlo has an SAE connector. Included is an SAE to cigarette plug for 12 volt outlets with a built in switch.
If you want to connect it to alligator clips you can use this kit here (click to view on Amazon).
The pump is pretty low power usage and is rated for 12 amps (144 watts).
Much like the Flojet, SewerFlo recommends only pumping sewage horizontally up to 25 feet when using a 5/8 inch hose or 50 feet with a 3/4 inch hose.
The is great because of the RV ready bayonet connectors but I would really like to see a garden hose outlet instead of the 1 inch barb.
But the included SAE connector and cigarette plug are nice and this is a powerful portable RV sewer pump that will let you dump your RV at home even from a distance.
PROS
- RV Ready
- Stainless Steel Shaft & Blades
- Tank Rinse
- Low Power Usage (1440 watts)
- Included 12V Outlet Plug w/ Switch
CONS
- Max Rated Pumping Distance Only 50 Feet
- Plastic Bayonet Fittings & Shaft
- Outlet Not Garden Hose Ready
Jabsco Macerator Pump
Jabsco makes a lot of different kinds of pumps and appliances for marine and RV applications. This macerator pump is mainly used for emptying the holding tanks on boats but it’s also perfect for the holding tanks on RVs since they hold the same kind of black and grey water.
The reason I’ve added the Jabsco to this review is the quality build and high pumping capabilities. This sewage pump can empty a 30 gallon holding tank in less than 3 minutes.
There are 4 stainless steel blades inside that are capable of grinding waste particles to 1/8 inch. The shaft is also stainless steel.
Since this is mostly made for the plumbing on boats this macerator pump is not RV ready. That means you will need a few parts in order to connect it to the bayonet style fittings on an RV holding tank outlet pipe.
The inlet on the Jabsco is 1 1/2 inch pipe and 1 1/2 inch NPT threaded.
To adapt it for an RV you can use this bayonet to 3 inch pipe adapter (click to view on Amazon), and a flexible 3 to 1 1/2 inch reducer (click to view on Amazon). The pipe clamps necessary are included on the reducer.
The outlet is also something that will need adapting if you plan on connecting it to a garden hose. It has the standard 1 inch hose outlet much like the macerator pump reviewed above.
You can check out that review to see what the necessary parts are or look in the FAQ section at the end of this review.
See Also: What Do I Need To Use Hookups At An RV Park Or Campground?
This is another 12 volt RV sewer pump, so you will need to wire it to a 12 volt battery to use it.
The motor is rated for 16 amps (192 watts) which is pretty good and there’s plenty of power for dumping your RV long distances.
It’s not stated what the hose length can be, but judging by the power output, it’s at least 50 feet with a 3/4 inch hose.
There’s a thermal cut off to protect the motor and a run dry protection. It will only run for 15 mintues before shutting itself off as well which is another safety measure put in place to keep this RV macerator pump running for years.
Even though the Jabsco Macerator Pump isn’t RV ready, and it will take a few extra parts to make it work on a camper, it has some great features that make it an excellent portable option.
It’s very fast and made to resist harsh marine environments, which makes it a fantastic choice for RVers.
PROS
- Powerful
- Stainless Steel Shaft & Blades
- Tank Rinse
- Run Dry Protection
CONS
- No Tank Rinse Feature
- Requires Parts to Use on RV
- Outlet Not Garden Hose Ready
Extraup Macerator Sump Pump
We’ve been through a few of the small and portable RV macerators.
But what about campers who are setting up for long term RV living or needing to dump their RVs in sewers that are more than 100 feet away or uphill?
Larger home use macerators that are made to go behind toilets are more durable and powerful than 12 volt portable ones, and the Extraup is a great option for long term RV living next to a house.
It’s a small box that has multiple inlets and outlets on it for hooking up multiple appliances in a home. This could be very useful for RVs with multiple sewer hookups.
The inlet is 3 inches, which means something like this adapter by Camco (click to view on Amazon) could be used to connect it to an RV.
The outlet is around 1 1/2 inches. You will need to get the proper adapters to connect it to a garden hose.
It’s powered by 110-120 volt AC power using a standard plug. When running it will use around 5.5 amps (600 watts).
See Also: How To Find Nearby RV Dump Stations & Fresh Water Fill-Up
The really nice thing about this larger macerator pump is the extra power means it can pump really far. It’s rated to be able to pump vertically up to 30 feet and 260 feet horizontally.
That means if your camper is far away from the sewer connection or a toilet, you will be able to use this to get your sewage pumped without burning out the motor.
I recommend something like this to those who live in an RV next to a home and use an RV macerator to dump their RV a lot.
It’s made to last longer than the smaller more compact versions and it’s a faster pump.
The Extraup Macerator Sump Pump might take a little more work to get set up with an RV, but once it’s ready it should last for years.
Even if your RV is pretty close to a home sewer inlet this might be the better option.
PROS
- AC Powered
- Very Strong Grinder
- Pumps Up To 260 Feet
- Long Lasting
- Multiple Inlets
CONS
- Requires Adapters for RV Use
- Needs Adapter for Garden Hose
- Will Need Protection from Elements
Sanimove Macerator Pump
The Sanimove macerator pump is another well made household sewer pump that can be converted for RV use.
It uses 110 volt AC power and has a standard wall plug on it.
It’s super strong using up to 6 amps (700 watts) when in use.
Much like the version reviewed above it can pump vertically up to 30 feet but the Sanimove is rated to pump as far as 328 feet horizontally.
This is the most powerful and furthest pumping macerator in this review.
There are multiple inlets including a large 3 inch wide one that can be adapted for RV use.
See Also: Best RV Sewer Hose Kits Reviewed & Rated
The outlet is on the top and it’s about 1 1/2 inches in diameter. You will need to build a small protective shell for this when using it outside.
There’s an automatic flush feature that could potentially be used for your RV as well but it can also be switched to manual so you can dump the tanks weekly.
Because the home use macerator pumps are made to be used multiple times a day they make fantastic full-time RV sewer pumps.
The Sanimove Macerator Pump can pump sewage further than any of the others in this review, and it’s the most heavy duty.
If you’re planning on having an RV connected to your home sewer at all times, and it’s far away from the sewer inlet, this is the best option.
What to Look for in an RV Macerator Pump
RV Ready
Macerator pumps are used for more than just RVs. They can be found on boats and even in homes.
They’re a great way for water and sewage to be pumped and disposed of properly.
RV macerator pumps usually have an inlet with a bayonet fitting so it can be attached directly to the holding tank outlet on a camper. This makes them super easy to set up.
The downside to the RV ready macerator pumps is they are often pretty small, can burn out easily, and are not great for permanent or long term use.
Luckily it’s possible to adapt other kinds of macerator pumps for RV use, but if you’re looking for something that requires very little work to get ready for dumping your RV at home an RV ready macerator pump is the way to go.
Power Type & Usage
The portable macerators in this review all use 12 volt power, which is great for RVs that are using them when boondocking because you can run the pump with the RV battery.
But in a more permanent setting, you may want something that uses AC power so you can plug it into a regular wall outlet or one of the outlets on the outside of your camper.
Also, the AC versions tend to be more powerful and capable of dumping RVs at greater distances.
Weather Protection
Most of the portable RV macerator pumps are supposed to be weatherproof and ok to leave outside if you make the electrical connections waterproof. But I don’t recommend doing that.
It’s mainly because these little sewage pumps have a lot that could go wrong inside of them, and leaving the outside exposed to the elements could lead to corrosion and problems.
It’s better to either put the macerator pump away after using it or build a little shelter for it.
If you’re using one of the large home use macerators you have to put something over it to protect it from the sun and rain since they are not actually made to be outside.
A large waterproof tub should work fine.
Tank Flush
A few of the RV macerators in this review have a hose attachment that sticks out of the inlet pipe that can be used to flush out the holding tanks while the macerator is still attached.
This is an awesome way to maintain and clean your RV’s black and grey tanks. It’s also a good way to add water to the black tank so it goes through the macerator easier.
More water is better when you’re turning solid sewage into liquid and transferring it from a large 3 inch pipe to a small 1 or 3/4 inch one.
Best RV Macerator Pump Hoses
For Garden Hose Outlets
Stanios PVC 1 Inch Flat Water Discharge Hose
For a portable and lightweight option, a flat 1 inch garden hose is a great way to get the liquid sewage from an RV macerator pump to a home sewer.
I recommend 1 inch hoses since all sewage pumps seem to perform better with wider hoses and it also reduces the chance of leaks.
The Stanios flat hose is made with durable reinforced PVC with 1 inch threaded couplings.
You may need this adapter (click to view on Amazon) to use with a standard garden hose outlet.
Glimour Pro Commercial Hose
One downside to flat garden hoses is they can kink easily and they don’t turn corners very easily.
If storage space and weight aren’t an issue another great option to use with an RV macerator pump is a heavy duty 3/4 inch garden hose like the Glimour Pro.
I recommend getting a color that’s different from all of the other hoses you own so you don’t mix them up.
It’s going to have raw sewage inside and you don’t ever want to use it for anything other than RV dumping.
If you need to go further than 100 feet you might want to consider getting a 1 inch hose instead. But for up to 100 feet a 3/4 inch should work fine.
For 1 Inch Barb Outlets
Schraiberpump 1 Inch Flat Discharge Hose
Most of the RV macerator pumps in this review actually use a 1 inch outlet instead of a garden hose coupler.
For that reason, getting a 1 inch heavy duty hose that’s just open on the end works really well. You can permanently attach this hose to the outlet and forget about all of the adapters that would be needed to connect a garden hose.
This flat 1 inch PVC hose is made for things like RV macerator pumps and it can roll up to a very small and compact size.
It does still have the kinking issue if you need to turn any sharp corners, but most of the time this should work perfectly.
It’s also going to be harder to mix up with regular garden hoses which is a bonus.
My Pick for Best RV Macerator Pump
What I like about the Flojet macerator pump are the preinstalled RV bayonet connector and the hose ready outlet.
None of the other options in this review have an outlet that’s ready to be connected to a standard hose, and since most people use garden hoses to dump their campers at home, I really don’t understand why it’s not more common.
The Flojet is also made with quality stainless steel parts and it’s the most powerful portable option. That means it should be able to pump sewage further and for longer than some of the others.
The included storage box is nice as well. If you travel around visiting friends and family it could be a good idea to keep an RV macerator pump like the Flojet with you at all times.
It’s not very heavy and it doesn’t take up a lot of space. Just make sure you always empty the grey tank last and run some fresh water through to clean it out good before putting it away.
Frequently Asked Questions About RV Macerator Pumps
What do I need to connect a macerator pump 1 inch hose outlet to a garden hose?
If you want to connect an RV macerator pump with a 1 inch hose outlet to a garden hose you will need some 1 inch tubing, hose clamps, and a 1 inch to 3/4 garden hose adapter (click links to view products on Amazon).
If you are going to be using a 1 inch garden hose you can use this barb to 1 inch hose adapter (click to view on Amazon).
Portable vs permanent macerator pumps.
Many of the RV macerator options are small and portable, but there are other more permanent macerators available as well.
The small RV ones are normally very compact and they come with the standard bayonet coupler that connects to all RV sewer outlet pipes. They are also 12 volt powered.
The more permanent household macerators that people put behind toilets or washing machines are normally much larger and more powerful. They usually have multiple inlets and use AC power instead of 12 volt.
For using a few times a year the portable macerators work great. They are powerful enough to pump waste water around 50 to 100 feet horizontally, and they are easy to store and transport.
But for permanent or long term use the larger versions can be much better. The motor and pump don’t need to be compressed together to fit a tiny body, which means it won’t overheat as easily.
The permanent kind can also pump further distances which is a must have if your RV will be parked more than 100 feet away from the sewer.
What does an RV macerator pump do?
An RV macerator pump pulls the waste water out of RV holding tanks. Inside there are blades that chop down any large waste particles so everything can be transferred from the large 3 inch inlet to a small 1 inch outlet.
The macerator then pumps the sewage water away from the RV. You can use 3/4 to 1 inch hoses to dump your RV long distances into a sewer cleanout or even a toilet.
To read more about sewage maceration and how it works, check out this article here.
Have any more questions about RV macerator pumps? Leave a comment below.
