A Quick Guide to Choosing the Best RV Macerator Pump

Pick the best RV macerator from this guide and make draining a simple task.

Getting on an adventure with your family or friends in an RV sure is a very fun activity to do over the weekend. It would also be great if you have a free and long-term campsite for your RV. However, how do you deal with the waste if there are no sewer hookups available at the campsite? This is where getting the best RV macerator pump will come in handy.

In this post, we will be talking about everything you need to know when looking for a good RV macerator pump. Not all products were created the same, which is why a careful consideration of these factors is essential for you to be able to get the most value out of your money. Read on if you want to know more about the best RV macerator pumps on the market now.

But first, take a look at these products:

*Details of these products will be provided below.

In sewage treatment, the process of maceration is the use of an equipment that reduces the size of solid wastes into small pieces to be able to deal with other solid wastes. The process involves a blending or grinding mechanism that reduces human waste. This process is important especially if the water pressure is low or if you are planning to install a toilet underneath a sewer drain pipe.

If you have been a long time RV enthusiast, you might wonder why you would need an RV macerator pump. It would be very easy and convenient if you use the normal 3-inch sewer opening, you might think. However, if the sewer is situated several feet away from you, there would be literally no other way of dumping the wastes.

It would also be a real pain when you deal with a cleanout that is about 2 feet higher than RV’s tank. It is certainly not a fun activity either. Doing this process would involve you lifting the hose full of solid wastes several times until the tank becomes empty. If you find this process a real hassle, you might want to consider doing it the easier and more convenient way.

You may view the RV macerator pump as a regular kitchen sink garbage disposal unit. These very important RV pieces of equipment grind up solid wastes just like a kitchen sink disposer. It is an electric grinder that turns the RV’s blank tank solid and liquid wastes into a slurry, in which they can drain through a smaller sewer hose, even on a 1-inch garden hose.

With the use of an RV macerator pump, you would not need to worry about anything because it already does the hard work. In fact, you can even move these wastes even to an uphill drain location. It does its job so effectively that you will not need to get your hands dirty. With this, your RV adventures will be a lot more fun and enjoyable.

You might notice that a standard hose for an RV macerator is less unsightly than the regular Stinky Slinky that already comes with a newly-bought RV. You won’t even notice them, especially when you are only parked in one place. Macerators are smaller in terms of size because they travel with you on your RV, so there would be less smell that permeates the air you breathe.

An RV macerator pump is a very handy tool because you will have a lot more options for emptying your RV’s holding tanks. You can also do the dumping at a regular sticks-and-bricks house. So, if you have your RV parked in the driveway, where you can’t find a place to empty the tanks after your camping trips, you can easily tie the macerator hose into your home’s sewer system.

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When choosing an RV macerator pump, you first should know its 3 different types: portable, permanent, and the 100v. Knowing these would be of great help, especially when you’re faced with a lot of options and brands. Knowing which type you need for your RV would certainly make your decision-making a lot easier.

In this section, we would be discussing the proper way of using your new RV macerator pump. The process is straightforward and it is something that you can do on your own. Here are the steps in using an RV macerator pump:

• First, you need to connect the RV macerator pump to the sewer drain point.
• Next, attach the exit hose into the pump.
• After that, you need to run the hose to an open sewer connection or a toilet.
• The next thing that you should do is to connect the pump into the 12V battery.
• Pull the tank drain valve.
• You may now turn the RV macerator pump on.
• Once it starts running, continue this process until the flow comes to a stop.
• Once the flow stops, you may now turn the macerator pump off.

When you are running the macerator pump and you feel the need to see what’s going on, you might want to consider getting a clear elbow. However, this would not be advisable, especially if you have a weak stomach. While you may face a very nasty sight, getting one of these also has its advantages.

With a clear elbow, you will be able to see what will come out even before it reaches the pump. As mentioned in the step-by-step guide above, you should turn the macerator pump off once the flow stops. And one way of knowing when to turn it off is by checking the clear elbow. Lastly, you will be able to see the results of the back-flushing efforts.

There are several factors that should be considered when looking for a high-quality RV macerator pump. Not all of them are created equal, as some features stand out more than the others. Not to mention, there are features that you can live without and some that you can’t. In this section, we are hoping that you can at least narrow down your choices into choosing only the best.

• Easy to install – The RV macerator pump you choose should be easy to install and use. Look for one where you would not need additional tools or equipment just to make it work.
• Easy cleanup – It should also be easy to clean and store away.
• Easy to store – If it comes with a storage case, that would be great. You are not going to use it all the time, so might as well have a case where you can protect it against harmful elements.
• Compatibility – It is best practice to check if the pump is compatible to the sewer hose you are going to use.
• Uphill pumping capabilities – Most of the jobs involve uphill draining. So, it would be best if you can find an RV macerator pump that can still do its job even if it has been positioned uphill.  

Here’s the most exciting part, as we have provided you with a rundown of our top 5 recommendations for the best RV macerator pumps available on the market right now. We also have provided you each product’s best features, along with the pros and cons, to help you make an intelligent buying decision. Now, let’s look at our top 5 picks:

1. ​Flojet 18555-000A Portable RV Waste Pump

The Flojet 18555-000A is a portable waste pump, ideal for emptying your RV’s holding tanks. This is a very handy equipment, especially if you want to avoid dumping stations. Its macerator grinds the solid wastes down to the size of 1/8-inch maximum, allowing you to pump the wastes right through a small-holed garden hose.

The pump itself is self-priming, allowing the whole unit to be mounted on top of the holding tank, which is a very convenient location if you are in the draining process. This RV macerator pump can empty the toilet in 2 minutes and it can also drain a 30-gallon tank in 3 minutes. In addition, it can pump all solid wastes including tissue papers found in most RV waste systems.

This RV macerator pump can be connected directly to the RV’s waste outlet. It also has fresh water rinse capabilities and it features a handheld remote with both on and off switch. It can dump solid wastes in longer distances and it effectively drains holding tanks at home. Lastly, it is very easy to clean up and store for future use.

Overall, given the several outstanding features of the Flojet 18555-000A, the manufacturer boasts its product as one of the strongest and most popular macerator pumps on the market.

2. ​SewerFlo Quick Release RV Macerator Pump

Another great product on this review is the SewerFlo RV macerator pump, ideal for emptying the wastes in your RV. With its perfect fitting, it can be easily attached and removed within seconds. To add, it can handle both the grey and black water from the RV’s holding tanks, as it is a self-priming and powerful RV macerator pump.

Another outstanding feature of the SewerFlo is that it is strategically designed to easily be attached to the standard 3-inch waste outlet. It also is equipped with a garden hose inlet that allows easy cleanup and debris removal. And just like the previous product, you may use this RV macerator pump even on longer distances.

Overall, the SewerFlo Quick Release RV macerator pump is a great buy, especially if you are looking for one with a thermally protected motor, which is a testament to the unit’s durability.

3. ​Jabsco 18590 Series Macerator Pump

The Jabsco 18590 macerator pump is ideal for use when emptying marine holding tanks, and when you are dumping on a non-restricted area. In addition, it is suitable for a fish box and livewell tanks. It is a self-priming RV macerator pump that can be used up to 5 feet, with the ability to empty a 30-gallon holding tank is not more than 3 minutes.

This Jabsco RV macerator pump also features a pumping duty cycle of 15 minutes, which would mean that emptying up to 180 gallons of wastes can be done in a single operation. This macerator pump also features the run dry protection technology that effectively shuts off the pump when it’s done. Lastly, it has a permanent magnet-type motor and is enclosed in a stainless-steel shaft.

All in all, the Jabsco 18590 RV macerator pump would be a great addition to your RV sewage system, especially if you are looking for a durably-constructed model.

4. ​Clean Dump CDTO Twist-On Portable Macerator System

Yet another incredible product model on this review is the Clean Dump portable macerator system. As the name suggests, the brand boasts its clean and fast operation. What’s great about this product is that it can pump uphill and up to longer distances of up to 150 feet. It is also compatible for all Clean Dump hoses, so you wouldn’t need to worry about getting the perfect fit.

What makes the Clean Dump RV macerator system stand out is that it comes with a complete package. When you buy one, you get the complete macerator system, a Flojet 18555 macerator pump, and a 20 feet power cord that has battery clips. To add, you would not need tools to install or use it.

The Clean Dump RV macerator system offers high value, with its clean and fast operation alone.

5. ​SHURFLO (3200-001) 12V Macerator Pump

The last product on this review, but certainly not the least, is the SHURFLO 12V macerator pump. This model is specifically designed to sanitize waste, as well as fish box excavation. The pump alone features a premium impeller design that is equipped with a run dry technology. This model also has a unique dual blade and casing construction, which ensure hassle-free pumping.

What’s great about the SHURFLO RV macerator pump is that it can also provide superior performance even in hagfish marine environments. Lastly, the brand offers a limited 1-year warranty.

Overall, the SHURFLO macerator pump is already a great product, just because of its waste sanitation capabilities.

Choosing the best RV macerator pump might seem like a daunting task, especially if you are not sure where to start looking. With this review, we hope that we have provided you with valuable information, so you know which features matters the most in your buying decision. You just need to refer to the value section to determine if the product is worth the money you are paying.