RV dump station convenience

[Budweiser John]

I'm considering installing a 540 gallon plastic tank as a receptacle for washing out our RV holding tank(s) and as a convenience for our occasional RV guests. My local supply house sells a plastic tank described as a "pump tank" for a fairly reasonable amount and my septic pumper could service the tank along with the house tank.

Have any members tried a similar set up? Any advice on how to keep an empty tank from floating due to ground water? My soil conditions are very heavy clay. And lastly, should I want to pump the tank myself recommendations
On a suitable gas powered pump.

Thanking all in advance for comments, suggestions, or experiences.

B. John

 

[houstonscott]

Just put a small septic system there. HS

 

[RedNeckRacin]

Check your local codes, I think you are going to need a permit. As to the floating, I think you are going to have to bed the concrete tank in a well draining stone and drain the water to somewhere if the tank is going to be empty most of the time.

 

[Billrog]

With high water table a concrete slab poured with a few anchor bolts on each side to strap the tank down to so it won't float.

 

[Gunny]

Why not just tap into your existing system, it would have to be cheaper and only one tank to be pumped. RV holding tanks aren't that big

 

[fordmantpw]

Why not just tap into your existing system, it would have to be cheaper and only one tank to be pumped. RV holding tanks aren't that big

^^^^ This.

Surely you've got a cleanout or something outside you could just dump into. That's what we do. If not, it would be a lot easier and less expensive to add one than putting in another tank.

 

[wawajake]

How does one tap into existing (I have similar RV concern of availability to dump tank when family uses RV in my yard)
Drill hole thru concrete lift lid ? open heavy concrete lid? (no cleanout outside)

 

[George2615]

How does one tap into existing (I have similar RV concern of availability to dump tank when family uses RV in my yard)
Drill hole thru concrete lift lid ? open heavy concrete lid? (no cleanout outside)

My father did this many many many years ago (I'm 63) when we were kids. Many places we RV'ed did not have dump stations. One summer he dug up the line coming from the house to the septic tank. He cut the line and installed a Sweep Tee fitting and added a vertical pipe to above ground level and installed a screw on cap. His new dump station was only 20' from the driveway so it was easy access with an RV. Then, when we came home from a trip we just removed the cap, stuck the RV dump hose in the pipe and opened the valve to dump the RV into the septic tank.

 

[fordmantpw]

How does one tap into existing (I have similar RV concern of availability to dump tank when family uses RV in my yard)
Drill hole thru concrete lift lid ? open heavy concrete lid? (no cleanout outside)

My father did this many many many years ago (I'm 63) when we were kids. Many places we RV'ed did not have dump stations. One summer he dug up the line coming from the house to the septic tank. He cut the line and installed a Sweep Tee fitting and added a vertical pipe to above ground level and installed a screw on cap. His new dump station was only 20' from the driveway so it was easy access with an RV. The when we came home from a trip we just removed the cap, stuck the RV dump hose in the pipe and opened the valve to dump the RV into the septic tank.

Bingo! That's the way to do it.

 

[Billrog]

It's advisable if dumping your RV into your septic tank that you do some research on any thing your adding to the RV holding tank in regards to breaking down the solids. You do not want to turn the effluent into a slurry that may seal your septic field retarding absorption. In order for the tank to do it's job you want the solids to stay on the bottom undisturbed and clear layer in the middle that makes it to the field and a crust on top.