Log In | Register
Skip to main content
Topic: Mid-Bath Black System (Read 332 times) previous topic - next topic
0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.
Mid-Bath Black System
For the newer Mid-Bath models, is the toilet drainage pipe accessible at all?  Does it have a 90 degree elbow(s) or a sweep?  And, is it PVC piping?
Greg & Victoria
2017 Mid-Bath  “Nocona” towing a manual 2015 Forester
Previously a 1985 TK
SKP #61264

Re: Mid-Bath Black System
Reply #1
Our 2017 MB has a higher elevation for the commode than our 2005, perhaps this makes it a 45 degree downspout.  We have had zero problems.

Ross Taylor
2017 MB

Re: Mid-Bath Black System
Reply #2
Hi Greg; in the older models; accessible, as long as you don't get the foamed insulation. Drain pipes, as in regular house type is DWV (drain waste vent) ABS pipe. It is rated for plumbing use. Generally black colored. (I have seen clear ABS used for plumbing in industrial buildings). I believe that the 90 degree fitting is right at the top of the tank, at the entry, so a sweep wasn't used, or the drain angle would have been even worse. Being a newer model chassis wouldn't change the plumbing unless the E450 axle had a greater range of motion.    RonB
RonB (Bostick) living in San Diego
Original owner of "Bluebelle" a '99 TKB

Re: Mid-Bath Black System
Reply #3
I don't know about other models, but in my 2003 midbath, the pipe from the toilet to the black tank took two 45° bends, as shown in the attached sketch and photos. I would be very surprised if LD ever used 90° bends, because that would require one pipe to be horizontal, which simply wouldn't work for solid waste.

You'll notice in the "into the floor" photo that insulating foam has been shot into the gap around the coupling where it goes through the hole. LD did a poor job, leaving gaps in several places that could have allowed insects or bad smells to enter. I filled in as best I could with sealant.
Andy Baird
2021 Ford Ranger towing 2019 Airstream 19CB
Previously: 1985 LD Twin/King "Gertie"; 2003 LD Midbath "Skylark"

Re: Mid-Bath Black System
Reply #4
Thanks, Andy. Is that a storage compartment that the piping resides in?
Greg & Victoria
2017 Mid-Bath  “Nocona” towing a manual 2015 Forester
Previously a 1985 TK
SKP #61264

Re: Mid-Bath Black System
Reply #5
No, it's in the elevated platform under the toilet. It's not normally accessible; I had to do some cutting to get to it. (The second photo I posted is grainy because it was taken with a low-res borescope, before I cut an access opening.)

In the attached photo, the sewer pipe comes off the toilet toward the right (that is, toward the front of the coach) and then goes down through the floor after an angled run of about ten or twelve inches.
Andy Baird
2021 Ford Ranger towing 2019 Airstream 19CB
Previously: 1985 LD Twin/King "Gertie"; 2003 LD Midbath "Skylark"

Re: Mid-Bath Black System
Reply #6
Thanks Andy for that precious information. Most of us wouldn't cut up our motorhome just to take a few pictures.  RonB
RonB (Bostick) living in San Diego
Original owner of "Bluebelle" a '99 TKB

Re: Mid-Bath Black System
Reply #7
"Most of us wouldn't cut up our motorhome just to take a few pictures."

Oh, that wasn't why I made the cutout. I was smelling nasty smells and thought they were coming from a poor seal under the toilet, so I cut out a rectangle to let me look under there. But that wasn't the problem.

It eventually turned out that the source of the stinks was elsewhere. Soon after buying the rig, in one of my more idiotic ideas, I had run some wires through the black tank vent pipe in order to get them from under the sink to the upper kitchen cabinets, and I did that by drilling holes in the sides of the pipe and snaking the wires through, then gooping the holes with sealant.

Ten years later, the sealant had failed, and the black-tank odors were leaking into the cabinet under the kitchen sink and thence into the bathroom. A more nimble friend had to crawl in there and fix the problem... while dealing with the stench in that cabinet. I felt like a complete fool.

But hey, if you want to hear a really bad one... in an Airstream like my 27FB, the black tank's vent pipe runs up inside a wedge-shaped space in one corner of the bathroom. Well, one owner was smelling bad smells, took the cover off that space... and discovered that there was no pipe connecting the tank with the roof vent! Next time somebody tells you Airstreams are well built, you can show them this picture.
Andy Baird
2021 Ford Ranger towing 2019 Airstream 19CB
Previously: 1985 LD Twin/King "Gertie"; 2003 LD Midbath "Skylark"

Re: Mid-Bath Black System
Reply #8
Thanks Andy for that precious information. Most of us wouldn't cut up our motorhome just to take a few pictures.  RonB

Andy has no fear when it comes to personalizing his RVs.
Skylark had another 14" X 14" skylight added, rearward of the escape hatch.
It was an interesting experience to cut such a big hole, not knowing exactly what was behind the ceiling paneling, and the need to reinforce what was left of the ceiling joists.
Steel has come to the rescue more than once.
Fun times.

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze

Re: Mid-Bath Black System
Reply #9
"Soon after buying the rig, in one of my more idiotic ideas, I had run some wires through the black tank vent pipe in order to get them from under the sink to the upper kitchen cabinets, and I did that by drilling holes in the sides of the pipe and snaking the wires through, then gooping the holes with sealant.

I saw a video of someone doing that to get their Cell Booster cable inside, I didn't think it was a good idea.

On another note. In the short time we have used our MB I have never smelt anything from the toilet when flushing. I am wondering if the bends in the pipe help with smells?
Steve and Jill, Steve posting
1999 26.5 Mid-Bath

Re: Mid-Bath Black System
Reply #10
I saw a video of someone doing that to get their Cell Booster cable inside, I didn't think it was a good idea.


The holding tank vent pipe is another way to get wires to where you want them, they are verticle pipes that runs from the top of a holding tank to the roof, venting only gases.
It is not the same as running wires through a holding tank or its drain lines, don't try that!

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze

Re: Mid-Bath Black System
Reply #11
The holding tank vent pipe is another way to get wires to where you want them, they are verticle pipes that runs from the top of a holding tank to the roof, venting only gases.
It is not the same as running wires through a holding tank or its drain lines, don't try that!

Larry
And it did work for you for years, and all you had to do was reseal it. It maybe a good idea.
Steve and Jill, Steve posting
1999 26.5 Mid-Bath

 
Re: Mid-Bath Black System
Reply #12
And it did work for you for years, and all you had to do was reseal it. It maybe a good idea.

The times I have used the vent pipe, the hole where the wire or cable entered, was sealed with 3M 5200FC, no failures reported.

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze